Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique 2018
Monaco and France 31 January to 7 February
AFTER FIVE DAYS and with just two stages remaining, including the iconic Col de Turini, Michael Bruns/Frank Westenburger in their ailing Ford Falcon Sprint and Gianmaria Aghem/Diego Cumino (Lancia Fulvia Coupé 1200) were in equal first place. Within sight of the finish, the Falcon finally cried enough, handing a well-deserved overall victory to the Italian team.
The 21st edition of Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique, which is open to 300 cars of a type that competed between 1955 and 1980 and with start points spread across Europe (including Glasgow, Oslo, Barcelona, Bad Homburg, Reims and Monte-Carlo itself), should easily prove the most popular – as well as the biggest – regularity rally of the year. Organisers insist that crews complete a traditional concentration run before the main event, but in return allow studded tyres, service teams, a choice of stage speeds, plus a certain amount of technical leniency regarding performance monitoring. It all adds up to an occasion much loved by rally participants and the general public alike.
Since the early days of the ‘Monte’, British drivers have found support via the International Rally Drivers Club. In the past, the Club would hire a bus and transport wives, girlfriends and baggage down to the Principality in time for the ‘Grand Party’. Times change but, even so, in 2018 the IRDC entered 40 members, including veteran navigator Willy Cave. At the ripe age of 91, and having completed his first rally in 1956, this grand master of the sport was 9th overall after day two, but sadly he and driver David Mustarde had a frightening accident in their Alfa Giulietta ti on the final stage and were lucky to make it to the finish.
Conditions were harsh for the 2018 event, with plenty of ice and fresh snow. The timed 16-kilometre section that included both the Col de Pierre Basse and Col de Corbin, and the final run over Lantosque-Sospel in particular, claimed many victims, including the well-placed Steve and Tony Graham (Lancia Fulvia 1600 HF) and Gordon and David Glen (Opel Kadett GTE).
Best performance by a British team finally went to Nicholas and Peter Moss (BMW 2002ti) in 78th. Remarkably – considering the conditions – third place overall went to the little Zastava 1100 of the Polish pairing of Stanislaw and Andrzej Postawka.
Be in no doubt: Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique is tough. This year, of the 317 cars that started, only 259 made it to the finish. But that’s why it’s such a cherished event.