The Monte Carlo Rally becomes a centenary event today

A century ago, the first road competition in history took place, the one we know today as the Monte Carlo Rally, which starts precisely today in this centenary edition that, paradoxically, will not form part of the World Championship route, but of the IRC, the second division of the World Rally Championship.

The race was created under the patronage of Prince Albert I of Monaco with the aim of promoting winter tourism in the principality. The competition consisted of travelling from each participant’s home city to Monte Carlo, and to win, the time taken to cover the route, the distance, the average speed and other equally quaint factors were taken into account. The first winner was Henri Rougier at the wheel of a Turcat-Mery.

Today, the current rally bears no resemblance to that amateur race of a century ago, and it has rightfully become one of the most prestigious events in the world motorsport scene, with a list of winners that includes names of the calibre of Carlos Sainz, Didier Auriol or Sebastian Loeb, among others.

However, since 2009 the organisers decided to leave the World Championship so as not to have to deal with the restrictions imposed by the governing body, and since then the event has been held on the IRC circuit, organised by Eurosport, where the thirteen stages that make up the rally will be broadcast live, something unusual for rallies. Let us hope that we can soon enjoy the Monte Carlo Rally again with the best drivers in the world taking part.

Source | AS