RALLYE MONTE-CARLO 2016 EDITION



May the best win!

A very selective race wished by the Organizing Committee of Automobile Club de Monaco, more than ever before, this 84th edition of Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo should be appreciated by the competitors despite the many difficulties involved. Presentation of a stage redesigned with many novelties…

After three days of recce, from Monday 18th morning to Wednesday 20th January 2016 at 2pm, the competitors – the maximum number of 80 allowed to take the start – will have the opportunity on Wednesday afternoon to discover a new Shakedown (3.35km) organized for the first time in Gap, host city for the 3rd consecutive year, which Service Park is always located near the nautical center.

The beginning of festivities will take place the following day, Thursday 21st January, where the official start of this first of the thirteen rounds of the 2016 FIA World Rally Championship will be given at 18:10, Place du Casino in Monte-Carlo. In the program of this Thursday, two stages, Entrevaux – Val de Chalvagne – Rouaine (SS 1 – 21.25km) and Barles – Seyne-les-Alpes (SS 2 – 20.38km), to compete by night in the department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.

As last year, the 2nd day of competition – Friday 22th January – will take place in the north of Gap, between the departments of Hautes-Alpes and Isère, with a loop of three stages, very close geographically, with in the following order, Corps – La Salle-en-Beaumont (SS 3/6 – 14.65km), Aspres- les-Corps – Chauffayer (SS 4/7 – 25,78km) and Les Costes – Chaillol (SS 5/8 – 17.82km) to be ran twice.

Saturday 23rd January, the longest racing day, totalizing half of the rally. To run in a continuous loop and twice, the most dreaded stage from Lardier-et-Valença – Faye (SS 9/11 – 51.55km) followed by the unprecedented stage of Saint-Leger-les-Mélèzes – La Bâtie-Neuve (SS 10/12 – 17.13km) which crosses the Ancelle ski resort before the Col de Moissière. Then, on the road which brings them back to the Principality of Monaco, the competitors will have to face to the famous stage of Sisteron – Thoard (SS 13 – 36.60km).

Theater of the final racing day, Sunday 24th January, with special stages drawn in the hinterland of Alpes-Maritimes that only the first 60 classified the evening before will compete in. A sequence of three lap times without assistance, with in the order, Col de l’Orme – Saint-Laurent (SS 14 – 12.07km), La Bollène-Vésubie – Peira Cava (SS 15 – 21.36km), unseen version of the Col de Turini, and finally, another pass through Le Col de l’Orme – Saint-Laurent (SS 16 – 12.07km) as Power Stage. After one last stop at the service park on the Port Hercule, time for rewards will come for the brave competitors of this 84th edition of Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo to participate, from 3pm, to the traditional Price Giving Ceremony, organized Prince’s Palace Square of Monaco.

GREEK DRIVER LAMBROS ATHANASSOULAS WILL RETURN TO THE FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP AT NEXT WEEK’S SEASON-OPENING RALLYE MONTE-CARLO (21 - 24 JANUARY) FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2013.



The 39-year-old will drive a Skoda Fabia R5 in WRC 2 in the first of a programme of events in the WRC’s principal support category and in his own country.

Athanassoulas, who will be partnered by Nikos Zakheos, has a WRC history dating back to 2005 when he first tackled the Acropolis Rally. His best result was in 2009 when he finished eighth on the gruelling Greek event and won the PWRC category in a Fabia S2000.

“Rallye Monte-Carlo is a legendary event,” said Athanassoulas. “Along with the Acropolis Rally and the rallies in Finland and Great Britain, it is a rally that every driver wants to compete in.

“Our primary goal is to adapt as quickly as possible to the specific racing conditions (snow, ice, wet asphalt) and, of course, be able to finish, which in itself will be a success. Nikos and I will do everything in our power to bring the best possible result.”

The campaign will be backed by the Lascaris Foundation, which promotes Greek national identity through a variety of cultural, social and financial projects. One of its main focuses is to support sport.

“The renewal of the Lascaris Foundation sponsorship, amid the given unfavourable economic situation in our country, is for us a great honour and a great responsibility,” added Athanassoulas.