THURSDAY 21 ON CASINO SQUARE, CELEBRITIES FROM THE WORLDS OF SPORT AND ENTERTAINMENT WILL JOIN THE STARS OF THE FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP TO OPEN THE 2016 SEASON AT A DAZZLING LAUNCH IN MONTE-CARLO THIS WEEK.
Two of Monaco ’s most eminent landmarks, the harbour area of its famous Grand Prix street circuit and the stunning Casino, will host Thursday (21 January) afternoon’s event.
In the evening the season begins in earnest as competitors in the famous Rallye Monte-Carlo, the oldest event in the WRC calendar, are flagged away from Casino Square ahead of four days of flat-out action on treacherous mountain roads in the French Alps.
Celebrities and VIP guests will enjoy high-speed rides alongside top WRC drivers including triple world champion Sébastien Ogier, Thierry Neuville, rising star Eric Camilli and Kris Meeke.
Celebrities scheduled to attend include:
Actor Idris Elba starred in last season’s opening
Danny Jones – lead vocalist and guitarist with chart-topping British pop-rock bands McFly and McBusted.
Damien Chouly – French rugby union player with 36 international caps, who made five appearances in last year’s World Cup.
Michael Nyqvist – Swedish actor best known for his roles in Mission: Impossible 4 and Stieg Larsson’s Millennium series of films, including The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. His latest film is Colonia, in which he stars alongside Emma Watson.
Katrina Patchett – ballroom dancer who won Danse avec les stars on TF1 in France with singer / songwriter Matt Pokora.
Jean-Pierre Papin – French soccer player whose goals fired his country to third in the 1986 World Cup. He was European Footballer of the Year in 1991.
Stefanie Heinzmann – multi-award winning soul and pop singer from Switzerland. Rose to fame after winning a TV talent show and has also appeared as a coach / judge on the Swiss version of The Voice.
The entire season-opening will be available to watch and listen to on www.wrc.com.