RALLY MONTE-CARLO

The Stages

  • After Thursday evening’s glamorous Monte-Carlo start in Casino Square, two tough stages in darkness in the Alps punctuate the run up to Gap.
  • Two loops of three remote tests south of the town form a compact but tiring Friday, which contains almost 145km of against-the-clock action.
  • Equally gruelling third leg on Saturday features five more stages, all but one north of Gap, before the last service of the rally there and a long journey back to Monaco.
  • Sunday’s finale, as is traditional, runs in the Alpes Maritimes mountains above the Principality and features two passes over the legendary Col de Turini.

Iconic Stage

  • Col de Turini. One of the sport’s iconic locations, where enormous crowds will gather to watch competitors cross the mountain summit in the La Bollene Vesubie – Peira Cava test in the final leg. An incredible atmosphere and a ‘must-do’ for visitors.

Challenge

  • Essentially an asphalt rally but unpredictable mountain weather brings varied conditions.
  • Competitors must expect snow, ice and dry asphalt – often encountering all in the same stage.
  • They must balance the need for grip in winter weather with that required for dry asphalt.
  • Shrewd tyre selection providing the best compromise for frequently changing conditions is key.
  • Experience and the ability to ‘read’ conditions is vital.

Car Setup

  • Asphalt suspension.
  • Wacky tyre selections which can include studded tyres on opposite corners of the car, matched with dry weather rubber.
  • Two spare tyres is normal.
  • Additional light pods for Thursday’s night stages.

Event History

  • Rallye Monte-Carlo is the WRC’s jewel in the crown and the oldest in the calendar.
  • First run in 1911, it was designed to promote Monte-Carlo as a tourist destination, with competitors starting from different European cities before gathering in Monaco.
  • The 1966 rally became famed for its controversial outcome when giant-killing Mini Coopers claimed the top three places before being disqualified for alleged infringements of headlight regulations.

What´s new for 2018

  • Fifty per cent of the route will be new compared to 2017.
  • Thursday night’s classic Thoard – Sisteron stage over the Col de Fontbelle will be contested in that direction for the first time in WRC history.

Top Highlights 

  • The 2018 WRC season opening in Monaco’s Casino Square.
  • Thursday night’s opening two special stages – a rare opportunity to experience the magical atmosphere, sights and sounds of WRC competition in darkness.
  • Gap service park. Watch the teams work against the clock to prepare their cars for the following day’s action in Thursday, Friday and Saturday’s end-of-day 45-minute service.
  • Sunday’s finish outside the Palace in Monaco, with monarch Prince Albert presenting the prizes.