IRC Rallye Monte Carlo 2009 preview
The 2009 IRC kicks off with the oldest and most prestigious rally of them all, Monte Carlo, and what an event it promises to be.
With the entry list expected to be released soon it appears there will be roughly 17 S2000's taking part with works entries from Peugeot Sport, Kronos, Abarth and Skoda Motorsport. Drivers confirmed so far include the likes of Basso, Vouilloz, Meeke, Alen, Auriol, Loix, Kopecky, Gardemeister, Hanninen etc. etc.
Unfortunately it looks unlikely that Pascal Enjolras will take part due to lack of budget. It looks as if Proton, MG and VW will not be represented on the event either, according to autonews-magazine.com who also state that around 60 drivers will take part.
Toni Gardemeister's late announcement that he would take part has come as a real shot in the arm for the rally especially the fact he will drive for his old team Astra in a Punto S2000 and hopefully this could lead to a full IRC programme.
Astra team boss Luca Pregliasco commented about working with Garde again:
We've had the pleasure of working with Toni for a long time, and we've always known that he is an absolute star. He's not only an excellent driver, but an excellent person as well. Because we already have a good relationship with him, I'm sure we will be up to speed straight away when it comes to working together. We've got a good car, so we're all really looking forward to the rally now and we can't wait to get started!"
Stephane Sarrazin is looking forward to the challenges of Rallye Monte Carlo:
I think I will have a job against the regular rally drivers in Monaco but, of course, I will be doing my best. The level of competition in Monte Carlo is sure to be very high, but that is something else that really adds to the challenge!
It definitely helps to have a bit of experience of Monte Carlo from the past, so I hope that I can use that. With so much of the route having changed though, it's going to be a new rally for almost everyone. At least, with my experience of the Le Mans 24 Hours, I can look forward to the night stages!"
Didier Auriol dosen't expect to win but he just loves driving and the Monte:
I'm very much looking forward to this chance to get back to rallying. Although I am a racing driver, rallying is my passion and I am always very happy to be behind the wheel of a rally car, particularly when it is as good as the Peugeot 207. Monte Carlo is a classic event that I have always enjoyed, but this year is sure to be very different and a very big challenge.
I'm going to be trying my best, but I have to be realistic and know that I am not going to start off by amongst the potential winners. I'm not currently competing, I'm 50 years old and your motivation - as well as your perception of risk - is very different at that age.
I still have my passion for rallying, but I'm here just to enjoy myself. Whilst I practise sport and look after myself, you cannot compare it with the preparation that you get from being in the car all the time. It's not logical that I should be able to compete with the top guys. But it doesn't mean that I won't be trying!
I know some of the stages, like St Jean en Royans, but that is going back several years so I hardly remember them now. Probably the roads I know best are the Turini stages, which are always very nice and a legend in our sport. For me, the most important factor will be the weather. I hope that it is either full snow or completely dry because, when you get mixed conditions you can have ice, water and mud - which make driving conditions very difficult. Then, of course, there is the question of tyre choice as well, which becomes even more complicated in mixed conditions.
I think the first stage of the rally will be quite decisive for me. I'm going to be pushing quite hard on that one, just to see where we are compared to everyone else. At the moment, I don't know what our real pace is in comparison with the young guys. If I see after that stage that I am not so far behind, then I will continue to push. But, if we're a long way behind, then we'll just calm down and drive our own rally. Whatever happens, I'm going to enjoy it!"
IRC motorsport development manager and former Monte winner Jean-Pierre Nicolas stated:
We're fortunate to have an exceptional list of entries for the Monte Carlo Rally, whose name speaks for itself. All the ingredients are in place for an absolutely classic encounter. It's going to be an exciting mixture between innovation and tradition, which encapsulates perfectly the values of the IRC."
Source: ircseries.com
Unofficial Rallye Monte Carlo list of notable entrants, according to autonews-magazine.com:
Hänninen-Markkula (FIN-Skoda Fabia S2000)
Kopecky-Stary (CZ-Skoda Fabia S2000)
Loix-Smets (B-Peugeot 207 S2000)
Vouilloz-Klinger (B-Peugeot 207 S2000)
XX-XX (F-Peugeot 207 S2000 BF Goodrich)
Sarrazin-Renucci (F-Peugeot 207 S2000)
Meeke-Nagle (GB-Peugeot 207 S2000)
Alen-Alanne (FIN-Abarth Punto S2000)
Basso- (I-Abarth Punto S2000)
Rossetti-Chiarcossi (I-Abarth Punto S2000)
Gardemeister-Tuominen (FIN-Abarth Punto S2000)
Auriol-Giraudet (F-Peugeot 207 S2000)
Burri-Gordon (CH/F-Abarth Punto S2000)
Romeyer-Fournel (F-Abarth Punto S2000)
Jereb-Kacin (SLO-Peugeot 207 S2000)
Maurin-Thimonier (F-Abarth Punto S2000)
Ogliari-Verdelli (I-Peugeot 207 S2000)
Palmero-X (I-Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9)
Proh-Dell’Agostino (I-Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9)
Artru-Virieux (F-Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9)
Aymard-Aymard (F-Subaru Impreza)
Baudouin-Gastinel (F-Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9)
Romano-X (I-Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9)
Schelle-Wenzel (D-Suzuki Ignis S1600)
Pierrat-Galmiche (F-Subaru Impreza)
Cornu-Leclerc (F-Citroën C2 S1600)
Frau-Legars (F-Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9)
Knapick-Mora (F-Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9)
Gonon-Arlettaz (CH-Subaru Impreza)
Wittmann-Ettel (A-Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9)
Liska-Jugas (CZ-Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9)
Bos-Leuvrey (F-Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9)
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