RALLYE MONTE CARLO HISTORIQUE 2023

[Keith Bennett]

TODAY'S THE DAY! This evening the UK competitors for this prestigious event will begin from Brooklands (the home of British motorsport) and our Club has two members entered - the seasoned campaigners Ivar and Bjarne from Norway, for whom this will be their sixth Rally in their Mk2 A40, and very brave first-timers Fraser and Barrie also in a Mk2. Chris Mockridge and John Varney, who themselves are ex-Monte combatants have been happily advising Fraser & Barrie with hints and suggestions as to how both they and the car can be well-prepared for the ordeal to come.

The very best of luck, gentlemen, to you and your cars!

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[Keith Bennett]

Just found the itinerary... once the competitors arrive in Monaco their real work begins!!

The legacy of WRC !
The Organizing Committee of the 25th edition of Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique took special care in restoring five authentic concentration routes, from Bad Homburg, Oslo, London, Turin and Reims. Five itineraries… for a common destination: Monte-Carlo. And the rally route remains a series of famous special stages, all of them used every year by the World Championship event, the inaugural leg of WRC. There will again be many competitors entered, all of them ready to fight on these legendary roads along 17 Regularity Stages (SR) in order to win the trophy held by Belgian twins Philippe and Antoine Cornet de Ways Ruart, winners in 2022 in a 1965 Porsche 911.

The competitors will arrive in the Principality of Monaco, depending on their city of departure, on Friday January 27between 2:50 and 7:40 pm. The next day, Saturday January 28 from 7:00 am, the Classification Leg will start, with four SRs to be contested heading north to Valence, the prefecture of the Drôme department and once again the Host City for the event. As an appetizer, the copious “Briançonnet – Ubraye / RS 1 / 9:15 am / 18,27km” will comprise Col du Buis (1196m) and Col de Laval (1100m) in the Ubraye valley, at a time of year when snow and ice are almost everywhere. Crews will then head for “Chaudon-Norante – Digne-les-Bains / RS 2 / 10:30 am / 15,87km” and its illustrious Col du Corobin (1211m), followed by a mid-day time check on Place du Tampinet in Digne-les-Bains from 11:20 am. After this break, they will enter “Recoubeau-Jansac – Pennes-le-Sec / RS 3 / 1:35 pm / 16,13km” via Col de Pennes (1040m) to end the purely sporting part of this Classification Leg. A final time check is scheduled at Crest (2:50 pm) in order to regulate crews before their arrival at Champ de Mars in Valence (3:40 pm).

Leaving Valence at 8:00 am on Sunday January 29, crews will head for Ardèche where Part 1 of the Common Leg will be staged. On the morning menu, a revised and modified version of the famous Moulinon stage, “Saint-Sauveur-de-Montagut – Saint-Andéol-de-Vals / RS 4 / 9:00 am / 40,71km” via Col de Sarasset (825 m). Then hungry crews will stop in Antraigues-sur-Volane, in front of the famous “Remise”, to enjoy the notorious apple tart skillfully prepared by the Jouanny family. Another legendary stage will follow, “Burzet – Saint-Martial / RS 5 / 11:20 am / 30,66km” via the Ray-Pic waterfall and Lachamp-Raphaël. As in previous years, the mid-day break will happen on Place du Marché in Saint-Agrève (01:00 pm) where a tasting session for local and regional products always comes at the right time. A significant burst of energy for the competitors, before heading for the high-altitude loop of “Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid / RS 6 / 1:30 pm / 27,08km” and, since the previous edition, the Liberthe road which surprised many participants last year. To end the day in style, “Lamastre – Colombier-le-Jeune / RS 7 / 3:05 pm / 14,17km” via Col de Saint-Genest (709 m), and as it has become customary these past few years, there will be a last stop before returning to Valence (4.50 pm) : “rallystic” seductions organized on the Farconnet Dock in Tournon-sur-Rhône at 4:10 pm, perfectly orchestrated by the Tournon City entertainment committee.

Direction Haut-Diois, on Monday January 30 from 08:00 am, still departing from Valence, for Part 2 of the Common Leg starting with “Valdrôme – La Piarre / RS 8 / 10:10 am / 13,78km” via La Bâtie-des-Fonds – Source of the Drôme – and Col de Carabes (1261m), the natural border with the neighboring Hautes-Alpes department. A perfect link to the Savoyons through “Furmeyer – Barcillonnette / RS 9 / 10:55 am / 14,85km” via Col d’Espréaux (1160m). The mid-day pause in Laragne-Montéglin (11:50 pm) will happen at the ideal time for competitors willing to rest a few minutes and recharge their batteries with some local sweets. Before embarking on “Eygalayes – Verclause / RS 10 / 12:35 pm / 36,93 km” including the ascents of Col Saint-Jean (1158m), Col de Pierre-Vesce (1056m) and Col du Reychasset (1052m) in the heart of the Baronnies area, never an easy task! To end this day, a return to the Diois massif is planned, with “Crupies – Saillans / RS 11 / 02:25 pm / 23,75km” via Col du Gourdon (953m) and Col de la Chaudière (1047m) as justices of the peace! The last stop of the day is scheduled on Place du Champ de Mars in Crest with a time check from 3:30 pm before returning to Valence (4:20 pm).

On Tuesday, January 31, the start from Valence is scheduled at 07:00 am, heading for Drôme Provençale. This 3rd and last part of the Common Stage begins with “Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert – La Motte-Chalancon / RS 12 / 8:25 am / 19,97km”, a monument revisited for the occasion with Col de Planlara (1037m ) to pass before continuing, at exactly the same altitude, with Col de Chamauche. The rest of the fight will happen through the timed stage of “Montauban-sur-l’Ouvèze – Laborel / RS 13 / 10:00 am / 18,92km” in its classic version including Col de Perty (1302m). Last but not least, to end this long day heading back to the Principality, crews will take on La Colle Saint Michel between “Thorame-Haute – Le Fugeret / RS 14 / 12:50 pm / 18,45km”. The final time check is scheduled on Place Neuve in La Turbie, from 03:10 pm before entering Parc Fermé in Monaco (3.40 pm).

A few short hours of rest will then be allowed before the start of the Final Leg (09:00 pm), scheduled for the last night of Tuesday January 31 to Wednesday February 1. On the menu, two famous stages: “Col de Braus – Lantosque / RS 15 / 10:10 pm / 34,35km” and “La-Bollène-Vésubie – Moulinet / RS 16 / 11:20 pm / 22,33km”. Crews will be expected on the finish line in Monaco Port Hercule around 1:20 am. Finally, in keeping with tradition, the Gala Night and Prize-Giving Ceremony will take place on the evening of Wednesday February 1, in Salle des Etoiles at Sporting Monte-Carlo.(Evening dress or dark dress required).

[Keith Bennett]

Two photos just arrived from Club member Chris Mockridge and nav John Varney at the start of the rally. Although not entering the Rally themnselves, they have done in the past and their old warhorse obviously scents the excitement! That weather don't bode well for the competitors though...

Chris and John have suffered the torments of the Monte before, but this time they have attended the start simply to meet and encourage fledglings in this game, Fraser and dad Barrie with whom they've been sharing experiences and practical hints, as did Ivar and Bjorne. All four members are to be applauded for their willingness to help (what were) complete strangers - their only point of contact being their ownership of Mk2s. Such wonderful Club spirit is admirable. Thanks chaps, and good luck!

[Keith Bennett]

Ivar and Bjorne are safely on their way, although Ivar's message hints at a medical issue. . . I suspect once his meds have finished, our esteemed driver will have something of a spring in his step but hopefully not his road skills!

Gents,
First leg to Bad Homburg boring 570 km on Autobahn without any problems.
Soon starting for 1220 km leg to Monaco with only some hours rest in L’Angres, France. Arm working fine and getting better day by day. (Will finish antibiotics by this evening which opens up for good , French wines!!).

[Dave the rave]

Thanks Keith......

[Keith Bennett]

Latest from Ivar...

Last TC before heading for first stop in Monaco. Struggling with broken clutch master pump, but hopeful of some function enabling us to continue.
How is the English A40 team doing?!?

...and later...

Stress and exhaustion is over for now, - tomorrow fun and speed is added. Back here Tuesday night!

In fact, Fraser and Barrie seem to have similar clutch problems, according to Chris Mockridge, here in the UK but keeping a close eye on the fledglings...

Hello Keith
Fraser and his dad have hit a problem with their clutch slave cylinder.

Hello Fraser
Congratulations on getting to Monaco.
If I was you I would try to get down to the parc ferme very early [in the hope of sourcing a spare because there are also six BMC minis who may be needing stuff ].
According to the A40 club spares guide, the clutch hydraulics from a mini or midget are compatible to the A40.

Happy Hunting
Chris

[Keith Bennett]

Showing that selfless spirit of the competitors, Chris tells us that...

Keith
Just found out that another competitor's service crew has helped Fraser.
Will keep you updated as we go along.
The event results will appear here https://rallyliveresults.com/historique/ in due course.

Regards, Chris

Meanwhile, from Ivar...

Clutch problem fixed by my Miralles (miracle) man Bjarne who is actually useful not only as navigator. He is owning and running Oldtimer Service which is a spesialisec company for restoration and maintenance of classic MB’s such as 300sl’s, Gulleings etc. What a spread!

Ivar

[Dave the rave]

Looking good

[Keith Bennett]

Yesterday I had the great pleasure of meeting Bill Moffatt, owner of the most famous A40 and Monte entrant ever - XOE 778 - and to meet up with the old bird after 36 years. I thought it rather nice to include a shot of her within this post.
Bill's story will appear on our website and in March's Farina News in due course.

[scotty]

Magic, glad you were able to visit him.