2015 Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique
A total of 310 crews will tackle the 2015 Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique which is not only the 18th running of this successful rally for historic cars but also the 60th anniversary of Per Malling and Gunnar Fadum's victory in a Sunbeam Talbot Mk III in the 1955 rally. This year a truly international selection of 310 crews will compete in this recreation of the iconic rally, now for cars built between 1955 and 1980 and organised by the Committee of Automobile Club de Monaco.
The rally will start on Wednesday 28th January 2015 with signing-on and scrutineering in the five cities of departure, with the Final Leg a week later during the night of Tuesday 3rd/Wednesday 4th, including passes over the infamous Col de Turini stage. The Prize-Giving Gala Ceremony will take place later on the evening of 4th February at the Monte-Carlo Sporting Club.
A total of 38 International Rally Drivers Club members in 19 cars will compete this year under the Team IRDC banner, supported by a dedicated network of service crews and thus recreating the unique spirit of camaraderie that was typical during the era between the 50?s and 70?s - when the club was at its peak.
The IRDC will award the highest placed club crew with the Tyresoles Challenge Trophy, an original award inaugurated in the late 1940's to acknowledge the IRDC crew who put in the best performance on the world-famous rally, and the silver cup is engraved with some famous names.
Car number one; a Renault 12 Gordini, on this year's event will be driven by French rally legend Jean Ragnotti who is joined in the top 20 starters by other French rally heroes Alain Serpaggi and Michel LeClere, also driving Renault Gordinis'. Among the IRDC crews taking part is club secretary Tony Graham, co-driving brother Steve's Lancia Fulvia 1600 HF and the irrepressible Willy Cave, navigating for Alistair Vine in his ex BMC works Cooper S.
The international Rally Drivers Club wishes all competitors a safe and successful rally and we will try and post regular progress bulletins throughout the week of the event - please watch this space!
26th January, 2015