Monte-Carlo Rally: Wild Night of Fireworks & Chaos

The rally is a permanent miracle, especially when it settles in the south of France to open the season with the «Monte-Carl’». A miracle, because the pilots transform into tightrope acrobats in the dark night while battling, as was the case on Thursday, with completely crazy and changing conditions: rain, snow, ice and fog. And a miracle too because in certain times, the spectators crowd just a few centimeters from the mountainous roads where the cars pass without it turning into drama.

Unforgettable video sequences

Thursday, the oldest WRC (World Rally Championship) event offered unforgettable sequences to lovers of this discipline and to all sports fans as the first stage (3 special stages) took place in the departments of Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.

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An impressive crowd gathered on the first night specials (Esclangon / Seyne-les-Alpes and Vaumeilh / Claret) to see Sébastien Ogier and co pass by. An audience who had brought smoke bombs and fireworks in their backpacks and as is tradition, to light up the night.

Third stage shortened due to spectators

On-board cameras offering spectacular images give an idea of the festive atmosphere along the roads. A party like nowhere else in the championship calendar. “Best experience I’ve ever had!”confided Eliott Edmondson, co-driver of Oliver Solberg (Toyota). “That’s Monte-Carlo”! enthused Oliver Solberg, recognizing in L’Équipe that “it was a little too much.”

“It’s a miracle,” says Ogier

The driving conditions (icy and fog) and the movements of several spectators in dangerous areas forced the race management to bring out the red flag in the third special of the day, at 9:00 p.m. “There is a limit. We must think about the fact that ambulances must be able to pass in the event of an accident.indicated Thierry Neuville, still in L’Équipe.

Ogier (Toyota) described this stage as the «pire» of his entire career. The nine-time world champion said “relieved to have returned in one piece” et “too old” to take “so many risks” after having made a big rant against the tire and rubber manufacturer “unacceptable».