We start this new week and this new day of competition with the sun accompanying the crews throughout the day. Even today we found dry and clean roads which did not cause any major problems even on the two massifs, Diois and Baronnies, which hosted the second part of the Common Stage.
The start was at 8.00 and the first test SR9 Valdrôme – La Piarre of 13.930 crossed the Col de Carabes (1261 m), a natural border between the departments of Drôme and Hautes-Alpes. Giorgio Schon with Francesco Giammarino nibble on second from Michel Decremer and Jennifer Hugo, but come back at a distance in today’s second test, SR10 Laborel – Montauban-sur-l’Ouvèze of 20.865 km
with the Col de Perty (1302 m) with its hairpin bends in the final downhill part.
The Buis les Baronnies time control greets the crews for the lunch break, a quick refreshment to set off again towards test 11 Sainte-Jalle – Rémuzat of 16.673 km which crosses the Col de Soubeyrand (987 m), a clean test which does not reserve any major changes with high temperatures which did not cause any difficulty for the crews who found, on this test, 15°C. Finally the Recoubeau-Jansac – Pennes-le-Sec SR12 of 16.282 km through the famous Col de Pennes (1040 m); a slightly more technical test with uphill hairpin bends and narrowing of the road that makes our crews dance on the downhill hairpin bends. The rock wall on one side and the overhanging walls offer some extra excitement especially in the shaded parts, where we find a bit of humidity.
Michel maintains the lead of the standings, losing only a few seconds to Giorgio who comes dangerously close, closing the gap. Maurizio Aiolfi also moves up the rankings to 4th position. 19th place for the winners of the 2023 edition Claudio Enz and Cristina Seeberger, 36th place for Fabio Loperfido and Simone Calosi in their first participation in Monte Carlo.
Our Dakariano Garosci-Briani crew lost two positions, finishing in 46th position on the Fiat Ritmo “Alitalia”.
The last stop of the day in Crest with a checkpoint before returning to Valence which welcomes us one last
night.
Final day of the race tomorrow with 3 tests along the route that takes us back to Monte Carlo where the last two special tests await us, the last great night which always offers unique and unforgettable emotions and which often turns the rankings upside down.
We will continue to tell you about the thrill of living this adventure called Rallye Montecarlo Historique!
Cristina Biagi for Promotor Classic Magazine
