After spending a decade in the Southern Alps, the 75th edition of the Monte Carlo Rally is set to revisit part of its history by once again traversing the winding roads of the Ardèche region. This area had been abandoned in the last decade due to the WRC format imposed by the FIA, which required teams to use a single service park. For 2007, a waiver has been granted to the ACM allowing them to set up two parks. Thus, the city of Valence will welcome the service teams for the first time since 1996. Spectators will therefore be able to marvel at the contenders for victory on legendary stages such as Antraigues, Burzet, and Saint Jean en Royans.
This reversal by the FIA comes after the publication of a report concluding that the geographic area available for the events was insufficient. This insufficiency deprived the audience of the safe spectacle they are entitled to expect from the cars and drivers. The past two years have been telling. The concentration of specials in too small a geographical area ultimately distorted the rally and its proceedings. The local population also suffered from the rally and was exasperated by the massive traffic jams on ski roads. The 2006 edition had even nearly ended in disaster on the first day. The cancellation of specials became commonplace, and the dissatisfaction among the local residents kept growing. Initially meant to be a grand celebration of motorsport in touch with the population, the rally had become a heavy burden on the shoulders of the residents.
Turini is Dropped
Alas, much to the dismay of motorsport lovers, the 2007 Monte Carlo will not set wheel, or rather tires, in the hinterlands of Nice. Farewell, then, to the ascent of the legendary Col de Turini. Only a super special in the port of Monaco will be organized on the last day. Quite paltry for rally fans from the department. Removing Turini and the other Azuréen cols from the event essentially strips away some of the flavor and charm of the “Monte-Carlo.” This decision, taken by surprise as apparently none of the involved parties were consulted, hits the surrounding dozens of communities like a sledgehammer. These communities thrive on the rally’s reconnaissance and other events preceding the race.
The official starting ceremony will be held in the Champ de Mars gardens of the commune of Mauves on the evening of Thursday, January 18. The competitors will then take the wheel for two nighttime events on the roads of Vercors. On Friday and Saturday, the Haute Loire and the Drôme will provide the playground for those aiming for final victory. By Saturday evening, the drivers and their vehicles will travel by road to the Principality of Monaco, where the cars will be placed in a closed park. Sunday morning will consist of a super special using the lower part of the F1 Grand Prix track, where competitors will start two by two for at least two laps.
A special too short to have a real influence on the final result, although a mechanical problem is always a concern. It will at least have the merit of being broadcast live on Eurosport. Rally fans take note. The traditional award ceremony will take place from 3:30 PM at the Place du Palais Princier. One can only hope that the return to the Ardèche will bring an opportunity to see more snow and, in turn, make the race outcome more uncertain. The legend of Monte Carlo comes largely from feats on this slippery surface, which only the great drivers have mastered behind the wheel of powerful vehicles (cf: Group B vehicles in the 1980s).
From a sporting perspective, many questions remain unanswered. Will the new Citroën C4 WRCs live up to the achievements of their glorious predecessors, the Xsaras? Will Sébastien Loeb have fully recovered from his right clavicle fracture, sustained in a mountain biking accident four months ago? Such questions the 2007 Monte Carlo will partially lift. No doubt, the Ford Focus WRCs will not let Guy Fréquelin’s team ride alone in the championship. Fresh off the manufacturer’s title, Malcom Wilson’s official team, with its reliable and performing Finnish driver duo (including Marcus Gronholm), intends to make a strong showing. The Subaru Imprezas, notably led by former 2003 world champion Petter Solberg, aim to come back to the forefront after a disastrous 2006. For the first season since its entry into the world rally championship in 1989, the Japanese team did not experience victory. Shifting from Pirelli to BF Goodrich tires (owned by Michelin), the blue cars have high hopes of making headlines again. Official teams retained their driver duos, with a few transfers taking place among the private teams. One thing is certain, the battle will only be fiercer.
By returning to a configuration more historical than ever, the Monte Carlo rally is likely to regain its popular success. Tens of thousands of spectators from all over Europe are expected along the Ardèche roads. So book your weekend now and expect some early mornings!
