“The ACM general commissioner’s office has worked out a concept which remains faithful to the reputation of the winter road rally, so that competitors, manufacturers and spectators can rediscover the elements that forged the legend of the Monte Carlo Rally, allowing amateurs to compete with professionals.” a statement from the organisers, the Automobile Club de Monaco, said.
The event, which formed part of the IRC for the past three years, will feature a much longer route and a tweak to the format. The shakedown will take place on Tuesday, four stages on Wednesday, six stages on Thursday and two stages on Friday morning before teams appear in Monte Carlo itself in the evening. Action resumes on Saturday afternoon with four stages and the 'Power Stage' on Sunday morning, a three mile run which is to be televised live. The trophy presentation will take place on Sunday afternoon, at the traditional Place du Palais.
The new route will boost the competitive distance to over 430kms, up on 2008's 365kms. The last time the rally was run at such a length was in 1995, when the rally ran to over 500kms. Spanish legend Carlos Sainz took with win driving for Subaru that year. The rally will also feature an added 240kms of road sections, upping the road section distance to over 1200Kms.
“With a total of 17 stages, including 433 kilometres timed and 1246 kilometres connecting roads, this Monte Carlo Rally is certain to uphold the long tradition of a highly challenging course, requiring great endurance on the part of drivers and vehicles alike.”
Famous stages such as Le Moulinon-Antraigues, St Bonnet le Froid and the epic stage that is the Col de Turini, over which two runs will be taken. The rally is set to be the opening rally of 2012, and as such will continue to feature it's trademark conditions, snow and ice, which can change to dry tarmac mid-stage.
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