RALLYE MONTE CARLO HISTORIQUE: THE FINAL STAGES

An Alpine-Renault A110 piloted by a driver better known for his appearances in the British GT Championship stormed to victory on this year’s classic battle to Monte Carlo.

Swiss driver Daniele Perfetti and co-driver Ronnie Kessell beat more than 300 other entrants from across Europe, with Ford Escort RS2000s, Porsche 911s and a Lancia Fulvia among the other classics to fifinish in top 10 positions. Unlike last year’s event, which was won by an Italiancrewed Volkswagen Golf GTI, the sharp end of this year’s results was dominated by more traditional rear-driven sports cars.

Among the event’s British entrants to successfully make it to the fifinish was David Brown and Tom Fitzsimmons in their V4-engined Saab 96, John Roberts and Tom Oliver in their Fiat 124 Coupé and Robert Livingstone and Antonia Skelhorn, whose 1964 MGB made it through the tricky Alpine stages.

Another UK team who survived through to Monte Carlo was Ranald White and Karsten Brown, who initially had a poorly performing 1964 Rover 2000SC but managed to mend it using advice delivered via Facebook from members of the Rover P6 Club.

‘We’d like to thank the club for their undying support throughout the event,’ says Ranald. ‘Without it, we would still be in Guildford, rather than sipping cocktails on a terrace overlooking the Med!’ Photography by Jo Lillini/Automobile Club de Monaco