Watching the Monte Carlo Rally - anyone been?
Discussion
Hi Guys - i'm planning a road trip with a few mates next January to see the Monte Carlo Rally. Can anyone give me any advice on, well, everything really: where to watch, are there tickets, is parking possible or will i need to rent a helicopter, etc etc. the problem is that its clearly not set-up like the F1....so i dont want to drive down there only to discover its nigh-on impossible to see any of the action.
thanks in advance
thanks in advance
Done it once, nearly 25 years ago though.
And even then, it was only because a large group of us from my motor club (so all involved in rallying/sprinting/autotesting etc) had gone off skiing in France for a week, that just happened to coincide with the Monte that year, and on looking at a map on arriving we were only about an hours drive from the closest stages to the resort, so we all chipped in, hired a minibus and driver from the ski resort and took a day out of skiing to go and spectate on the Monte.
It was the year McRae ended up winning his world championship.
My days of WRC spectating are long, long gone, but even back then, there was only 3 events that I ever wanted to experience live, and that was the Monte, the Swedish and the 1000 Lakes. At least I managed 1 out 3.
And even then, it was only because a large group of us from my motor club (so all involved in rallying/sprinting/autotesting etc) had gone off skiing in France for a week, that just happened to coincide with the Monte that year, and on looking at a map on arriving we were only about an hours drive from the closest stages to the resort, so we all chipped in, hired a minibus and driver from the ski resort and took a day out of skiing to go and spectate on the Monte.
It was the year McRae ended up winning his world championship.
My days of WRC spectating are long, long gone, but even back then, there was only 3 events that I ever wanted to experience live, and that was the Monte, the Swedish and the 1000 Lakes. At least I managed 1 out 3.
Lord Flasheart said:
Hi Guys - i'm planning a road trip with a few mates next January to see the Monte Carlo Rally. Can anyone give me any advice on, well, everything really: where to watch, are there tickets, is parking possible or will i need to rent a helicopter, etc etc. the problem is that its clearly not set-up like the F1....so i dont want to drive down there only to discover its nigh-on impossible to see any of the action.
thanks in advance
Everyone I've spoken to that's been to see a WRC event overseas, has either wished they'd booked with Rally Travel, or raved about having booked with Rally Travel:thanks in advance
https://rallytravel.com/
But otherwise, the routes are normally published a few months in advance and you can plan. The 2019 one is here if you want to get some idea.
https://www.ewrc-results.com/map/52398-rallye-auto...
In general, you should arrive early (hours before the first car) via a mid-stage side road, park sensibly and that might mean a long walk. You will probably stay in the same spot and see the cars twice each day. Ideally, you'd go a few days early and check out the potential locations.
The benefit of a pro tour company is that they've been doing this for years and know all the subtle details......
Good luck! I'd love to go.
We saw a single stage back in 2004 in combination with a skiing holiday in Isola.
As above really. We were up at 4am and walking up a mountain road to a spectator spot in the dark at 6am. The hillside on the narrow mountain pass was covered with French and Italian spectators cooking breakfast on open fires and drinking wine from the bottle. Spectator control was by a helicopter hovering barely some powerlines with a guy leaning out and shouting at people!
Compared with UK rallies it seemed harder to move between stages and visibility is short due to the twisty mountain stages but the atmosphere was great.
If you've never been to any rallies before, prepare yourself for an awful lot of standing about waiting for something to happen.
Rallytravel would be a good shout.
As above really. We were up at 4am and walking up a mountain road to a spectator spot in the dark at 6am. The hillside on the narrow mountain pass was covered with French and Italian spectators cooking breakfast on open fires and drinking wine from the bottle. Spectator control was by a helicopter hovering barely some powerlines with a guy leaning out and shouting at people!
Compared with UK rallies it seemed harder to move between stages and visibility is short due to the twisty mountain stages but the atmosphere was great.
If you've never been to any rallies before, prepare yourself for an awful lot of standing about waiting for something to happen.
Rallytravel would be a good shout.
Went for work a year or two ago (we make the Brakes for most of the top teams) and spectated at a couple of rounds.
Involved a lot of long walks, followed by a lot of standing around, followed by watching a few cars going past...
The service park was more interesting, and if you know where to go and make a weekend of it then I can see the appeal but I’ll stick to going round in circles!
Involved a lot of long walks, followed by a lot of standing around, followed by watching a few cars going past...
The service park was more interesting, and if you know where to go and make a weekend of it then I can see the appeal but I’ll stick to going round in circles!
Yep, I went in 2017 and this year. I usually just pick a double run and head up for the day. Weather is a consideration. 2017 on the Col de Turini was freeeeezing even with a buffalo and ski gear on. This year in the sun on the Col de l'Orme (1000m AMSL) it was lovely. Helicopters make it a lot easier but they book up well in advance with VIP/corporate types. The traffic can be bad, there is often only one way into/out of the stages with campervans a plenty making it slow progress at times but no worse than any other round of the WRC. The approach roads and surrounding areas are awesome for driving, so bring something nice if you can. Just watch for the ice as you get higher, some unforgiving drops off those hairpins!
Helicopters and warm 2019
Snowy 2017
Excuse the crappy iPhone pics.
Helicopters and warm 2019
Snowy 2017
Excuse the crappy iPhone pics.
I've done the Monte in 2014 and 2017, and I'm hoping to go next year too!
No tickets are needed, you just need to get there nice and early to find yourself a spot, and sometimes you need to take into account road closures to access certain areas.
I've done a few foreign events now, and this is one of my very favourite views in rallying.
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.4315557,5.7949415,...
No tickets are needed, you just need to get there nice and early to find yourself a spot, and sometimes you need to take into account road closures to access certain areas.
I've done a few foreign events now, and this is one of my very favourite views in rallying.
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.4315557,5.7949415,...
thanks! My phone also kept crapping out with the cold so I had to keep it literally up my sleeve to warm it up enough for it to stay on long enough for a quick snap. iPhones don't like the cold it seems.Allyc85 said:
I've done the Monte in 2014 and 2017, and I'm hoping to go next year too!
No tickets are needed, you just need to get there nice and early to find yourself a spot, and sometimes you need to take into account road closures to access certain areas.
I've done a few foreign events now, and this is one of my very favourite views in rallying.
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.4315557,5.7949415,...
That looks epic!No tickets are needed, you just need to get there nice and early to find yourself a spot, and sometimes you need to take into account road closures to access certain areas.
I've done a few foreign events now, and this is one of my very favourite views in rallying.
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.4315557,5.7949415,...
giveitfish said:
Allyc85 said:
I've done the Monte in 2014 and 2017, and I'm hoping to go next year too!
No tickets are needed, you just need to get there nice and early to find yourself a spot, and sometimes you need to take into account road closures to access certain areas.
I've done a few foreign events now, and this is one of my very favourite views in rallying.
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.4315557,5.7949415,...
That looks epic!No tickets are needed, you just need to get there nice and early to find yourself a spot, and sometimes you need to take into account road closures to access certain areas.
I've done a few foreign events now, and this is one of my very favourite views in rallying.
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.4315557,5.7949415,...
LimaDelta said:
How was the marshalling there? This year was a PITA. Couldn't get anywhere near a hairpin unless in an 'approved' zone. Must stricter than my previous visit.
They are getting stricter on where you can stand. There are a few stretches where nobody is allowed at all, but not a huge amount. Just be in place before spectator safety vehicles start coming through and don't stand too close. Common sense stuff really 
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