Rallye Monte Carlo Historique 25 Jan-1 Feb
The principality has barely finished celebrating Sebastien Loeb's 7th victory on the 81st Monte Carlo Rally (an unprecedented success rate of 8.6%) when competitors on the 16th Rallye Monte Carlo Historique will be expected to arrive in the Mediterranean resort. The Historique again allows one to step back into the atmosphere of the charismatic Monte Carlo Rallies of the 60s and 70s.
In keeping with tradition, competitors may choose their starting point from several cities: Warsaw, Copenhagen, Glasgow, Rheims, Barcelona or Monte Carlo, converging when all the concentration legs meet at Valence which will be the city-stage for two nights, during which time competitors will follow the legendary routes of the Ardèche and the Haute-Loire, from Burzet to Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid.
Continuing towards Monaco with a stop at Gap, the route will again include traditional special stages of the Monte-Carlo Rally, starting with Saint-Jean-en-Royans and finishing with the Col de Corobin. Finally, the last section will see competitors take their cars up the legendary Col du Turini during a short but intense night.
The Rallye Monte Carlo Historique is reserved for cars of a similar model to those that took part in a Monte Carlo Rally between 1955 and 1980. If they are entered with a pre-1966 car, competitors will be allowed to select a low average speed. Within the general classification, the division into age and capacity classes will allow cars with different road performance to star, bearing in mind that the spirit of this event wishes to remain a tribute to the History of the Rally.
Once again the International Rally Driver's Club is delighted to be represented on this key historic event by an eclectic five-car team of sports and saloon cars lead by IRDC General Secretary Tony Graham, co-driving in brother Steve's well-known and popular Lancia Fulvia 1.3 Coupe, starting from the event's UK HQ, Glasgow.
The IRDC extends its best wishes to the team and all the competitors on the rally for a safe and competitive run to the sun.
IRDC Team
8 Andrew McAlpine/Fred Gallagher Morris - Mini-Cooper S (Barcelona)
240 Xerxes Matten/James Aquilina - Datsun 240Z (Glasgow)
246 Andrew Swanston/Graham Couser - SAAB 96 (Glasgow)
248 Rick Pearson/Stuart Pringle Porsche - 924Turbo (Glasgow)
305 Steve Graham/Tony Graham - Lancia Fulvia 1.3 Coupe (Glasgow)
24th January, 2013