Monte Carlo Rally

Established in the early twentieth century, the Monte Carlo Rally is one of the mythical events (and older!) world championship rallies specialty (WRC). Built in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, it celebrated its centenary in 2011 .. Rich history of its centenary, the Monte Carlo Rally has had a difficult start marked by organizational vicissitudes.

idea of the Monte Carlo Rally in the context of germ compete concurrencer le Carnaval de Nice. Indeed, Nice attracts at this time more and more wealthy people during the winter, and winter tourism situation Monaco becomes somewhat chaotic. To attract new customers with an easy elegant automobiles, Monaco launched the first edition January 1911. Of January marks the spirits but this choice reveals a Riviera climate and reveals an enchanting setting. The concept of the rally was then leave with a passenger vehicle in the city where he undertook and carried out the route linking the city to the Rock , following a specific route, within certain constraints. At this time, take the road across Europe in winter was within feat. Each competitor had put a plaque clearly the notion of "Car Rally Monaco." The test only know two editions before the First World War.

During the first editions, the Rally was primarily a golf concentration with an average hourly rate limited on the whole route to 25 km / h. The jury then established a ranking but rather complex rules. Was declared the winner the one who had the most points. There was also a ranking for speed, distance traveled, the condition of the car, comfort ... Regulation Rally evolves in 1924 with Anthony Noghès who wishes to give a sportier face this ordeal. Additional events are added to the path of concentration, which, over time, became the most important part of the competition. A test of speed and maneuverability is then organized along the route of the Grand Prix de Monaco. The race then took off after WWII.

Until the early 60s, several parameters are used to determine the rankings: average speed, distance, comfort and condition of the car. But in 1964, the rule change: the accumulation of time is made in special events that come into play to determine the winner.

During the early 70s, the Monte Carlo Rally takes place on a scheme that will endure almost 25 years A golf concentration which attracts competitors to the city of departure, a golf ranking, a common path and a final course once called "mountain circuit" as well as special events that cross the Savoie, Isère, the Ardèche, Drôme, Hautes-Alpes and a large part of Nice's hinterland.

During the early 70s the mid-90s, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) completely rethink the rules of the car rally. Popular motor sport par excellence, the Monte Carlo Rally attracts many spectators on the roadside. Security questions then arise for crews and spectators. Thus, the course of the Monte Carlo Rally will see major changes with the disappearance of course concentration. Rally loses much of its charm and its sporting interest!

Since 1998, ACM (Automobile Club de Monaco) is organizing the Monte-Carlo Historique, an event reserved for vintage vehicles, which reintroduces routes and especially the spirit rallies years 1950-1970. Open to models built between 1955 and 1980, and small cars, crews may adopt a low average speed. Rankings by categories and classes, extracts overall, also help highlight different cars to road capacity. This test allows many spectators gathered along the route to delve into the history of this essential winter test.


Monte-Carlo Historique In 2007, a new test is grafted around the Monte Carlo Rally: the Rallye Monte-Carlo des Énergies Nouvelles. Born from the desire of Prince Albert II of Monaco to promote actions to protect the environment, this "green" race is open to electric vehicles, natural gas, LPG, hydrogen, E85 or gasoline and diesel (with particulate filter) emitting less than 120 g of CO2/km. The rally is run over roads that made the legendary Monte Carlo Rally: a departure from the three European cities for the concentration step followed by a classifying step and a final step at night. This test award in each category, the vehicle has reached the best value consumption / performance / regularity.

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