Rallye Monte Carlo could and should head back to Gap
Should Rallye Monte stay in the lower Alps or return further north in search of more snow?
Last year the rally was based out of Monte Carlo for the first time in years.
Prior to that it was based either totally or partially in Gap.
A typical route would start in the harbour front in Monaco on Thursday and crews would take in two stages, under the cover of darkness as they made their way north to Gap.
The rally would be based close to villages like Thoard, Corps and Sisteron – villages steeped in Monte Carlo rally history – for the duration of the Friday and Saturday legs.
On Saturday afternoon the entire rally entourage would make its way back to Monaco ahead of the two stages that make up the power stage loop.
This year’s rally was noted for its almost complete lack of snow and ice, safe for a few isolated spots here and there, the 91ST running of Rallye Monte Carlo was closer to Rallye Spain than any previous edition of the season opener.
Rumours were rife on Sunday evening in Monaco that the rally organisers were thinking of heading north in 2024 in search of the white stuff.
Nine-time rally winner Sebastien Ogier heard the same rumours as Kerry Motorsport News.
He said: “
“If you do the rally mainly in the south like we did since last year it’s a big chance this happens.
“Global warming is there and here you start low in the stages, you will always have Tarmac and maybe some snow on the top.
“I don’t want to say because I’m from Gap, there are other places up there. I heard maybe there is a chance it’s coming back there, I think it adds more to the event – it brings back the tyre choice and makes the race more interesting on beautiful stages.”
Roger Didier, the mayor of Gap announced on Wednesday this week that the rally is definitely coming back to his town.
“It is obviously an immense satisfaction for our city,” he said.
“We obviously benefit from an environment conducive to exceptional stages but also from a true rallying culture rooted in our territory and a very strong attachment to this event.”
Gap hosted the rally for eight consecutive years between 2014 and 2021. Valance has also hosted the rally.
However, Monaco is the official host country of the rally and its capital, Monte Carlo, deserves a slice of the spend too.
Opinions in the teams are likely to differ too.
This year’s stages were at least 1.5 hours from the service park, and the cars did not return on any day for a midday service. That’s a lot of personal idle for most of the day, the working time booked ended with a very busy morning and a very busy afternoon.
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