13 Jan
83rd Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo from 19 to 25 January 2015
The Automobile Club de Monaco Organising Committee has come up with an unusual course – changes have been made to over 75% of the route compared with 2014 – which already looks set to be one of the most difficult in the event’s history
The route for the 83rd Rallye Automobile de Monte-Carlo is likely first and foremost to surprise, but it should also please many of the competitors who, in the first of the new features introduced for 2015, will be able to resort to the Rally 2 regulations in the event of that they have to retire.
After three familiarisation days, from Monday 19 to Wednesday 21 January 2015, things will really start to get serious on the morning of Thursday 22 January with the traditional shakedown (testing) stage, a 3.52 km route which is typical of the rest of the course and, like last year, will be held in the village of Chateauvieux, 6 km south of Gap.
Competitors will return to the Principality of Monaco where, at the end of the afternoon, the event, which is the first round of the FIFA World Rally Championship 2015, will officially kick off in Place du Casino, Monte-Carlo.
The competitors will then need to tackle the first two timed stages at night. These will be Entrevaux – Rouaine (21.31 km) in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Norante – Digne les Bains (19.68 km) on the road which will lead them towards the city of Gap.
Also new for this year, the second day – Friday 23 January – will be held to the north of Gap, between Hautes-Alpes and Isère. This will be a brand new loop consisting of three timed stages which are very close geographically, to be driven twice. Thus, La Salle en Beaumont – Corps (15.84 km), Aspres les Corps – Chauffayer (26.08 km) and Les Costes – Saint Julien en Champsaur (25.40 km) are set to be critical stages which will be enjoyed by everyone.
Day three, Saturday 24 January, will consist of more traditional stages, including Prunières – Embrun (19.93 km), to be driven twice, Lardier et Valença – Faye (51.66 km) and Sisteron – Thoard (36.85 km) before the competitors make their final return to the Principality in the afternoon.
The final day of the race, Sunday 25 January, will see the competitors head to the inland region of the Alpes-Maritimes first thing in the morning. The day’s stages include La Bollène Vésubie – Sospel (31.66 km), also known as the extended version of the Col de Turini, and the Power Stage, which has still to be determined in line with the new regulations for 2015.
The traditional award ceremony will take place from 3 pm on the Place du Palais Princier in Monaco.
For more information, see: http//www.acm.mc