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Monte Carlo Rally 2012
2012-01-20 14:00
What:
Monte Carlo Rally/Rallye Monte Carlo
When: 17-22 January 2012
Where: Valence and Monaco
Web:
www.acm.mc
Rallying season returns to Monte Carlo
CLICK HERE FOR LATEST RESULTS
This week sees the 80th Monte Carlo Rally (17-22 January), followed by its counterpart the 15th Rallye Historique (28 Jan-4 Feb)
The Monte Carlo Rally is generally considered to be one of the most prestigious - and demanding - of all motor races. Stretching over 1300 kilometres, 430 of which are in special timed stages, the rally - which this year once more forms part of the World Rally Championship - is one of the most thrilling events of the sporting year.
One of its most spectacular and notorious stages, from La Bollène-Vésubie to Sospel, takes place on a steep mountain road with multiple hairpin bends, passing over the usually icebound Col de Turini, which has been the scene of not a few dramatic incidents and hairsbreadth escapes over the hundred years in which the race has been run.
Bryan Bouffier and Xavier Panseri receive the 2011 trophy from Prince Albert I
The world-famous rally was first run in 1911 under the patronage of Prince Albert I, great-grandfather of the present prince of Monaco, with the aim of attracting visitors to the Principality, as well as giving car manufacturers the opportunity of testing new technologies.
Financed by the Société des Bains de Mer, the original rally was organized (as it still is 101 years later) by the Automobile Club of Monaco. The club’s founding president Alexandre Noghès - whose son Antony would later emulate his father by setting up the Monaco Grand Prix - had come up with the idea of a motor race run in the winter months.
Given the region’s narrow mountain roads, cliffs with sheer drops of hundreds of feet, as well as snow and ice, this was to be a real test. But the format proved an enormous success – and the race has been run in January ever since. For more about the history of the race, please see
this article from last year's CityOut
Programme
14 January-17 January: preparatory sessions
Wednesday 18 January
8.00am: depart from Valence Champ de Mars
5.50pm: arrive at Valence Parc des Expositions
Timed stages:
Le Moulinon - Antraigues (36.87 km) (twice)
Burzet - St-Martial (30.48km) (twice)
Thursday 19 January
8.00am: depart from Valence Parc des Expositions
6.00pm: arrive at Valence Parc des Expositions
Timed stages in the Ardèche and Haute Loire regions
Labatie d'Andaure - Lalouvesc (19 km)
St Bonnet le Froid - St Bonnet Le Froid (25.22 km)
Lamastre - Alboussière (21.66 km)
Friday 20 January
9.00am: depart from Valence Parc des Expositions
8.10pm: arrive at Quai Albert 1er Monaco
Timed stages in the Drome region
St Jean en Royans - Font d'Urle (23.28 km)
Cimetière de Vassieux - Col de Gaudissart (24.13km)
Montauban sur Ouvèze - Eygalayes (29.89 km)
Saturday 21 January
1.30pm: depart from Quai Albert 1er Monaco
9.30pm: arrive at Quai Albert 1er Monaco
Timed stages
Moulinet - La Bollène Vésubie (23.41 km)
Lantosque - Luceram (18.81 km)
Sunday 22 January
10.00am: Power Stage: Ste Agnès - Col de la Madone (5.16km)
3.00pm: Prizegiving at the Prince's Palace, Monaco