A milestone edition

The 28th edition of the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique marks a major turning point in the history of the Monegasque event. Far more than a simple regularity competition, this new edition introduces long-awaited changes requested by participants and approved by the Automobile Club of Monaco’s Organizing Committee – without compromising the authentic, popular spirit that built its reputation. With revised dates, a broader vehicle selection (models raced between 1911 and 1986), six starting cities, and – most notably – regularity stages run on closed roads, the 2025 route showcases a bold “new-look” as the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique enters in a fully new era!

For the handful of die-hard participants who chose John O’Groats – a village in northern Scotland’s Highlands and the northernmost concentration point – kickoff is scheduled for Thursday, January 29. Other departures are spread across Bad Homburg, Barcelona, Monte-Carlo, Reims, and Turin on Sunday, February 1, with all routes converging toward Valence, capital of Drôme department and a traditional host city, where the first cars are expected on Monday, February 2 in the afternoon.

The first special stages are scheduled the next day, Tuesday, February 3, with a hefty first part of the Classification Leg, consisting of three looped specials run twice. They include: “Col Gaudissart – Bouvante / SR 1-4 / 7,504 km / 08:33 – 14:43” with Col de l’Écharasson (1146 m) as the decider, “Léoncel – Oriol-en-Royans / SR 2-5 / 11,261 km / 09:41 – 15:51” and “Col de Tourniol – Barbières / SR 3-6 / 10,391 km / 10:20 – 16:30”. First finishers return to Valence’s Champ de Mars at 11:25 and again in the late afternoon at 17:35.

On Wednesday, February 4 at 08:00, the rally heads into Ardèche for the second part of the Classification Leg. The route features the unpublished stages “Saint-Pierreville – Issamoulenc / SR 7 / 10,780 km / 09:28” and “Lachamp-Raphaël – Burzet / SR 8 / 15,429 km / 11:05”. A regroup takes place in Vals-les-Bains (12:10), followed by a passage control at La Remise (13:53), the iconic café-restaurant run by the Jouanny’s family in Antraigues-sur-Volane. Next: “Saint-Andéol-de-Vals – Gourdon / SR 9 / 11,618 km / 14:28” and a second run of “Saint-Pierreville – Issamoulenc / SR 10 / 10,780 km / 15:23”. Privas welcomes competitors for a time control at 16:31, with a return to Valence set for 17:36.

Thursday, February 5 marks the first part of the Common Leg, heading to the Vercors and Diois mountains. Three stages include “Les Nonnières – Chichilianne / SR 11 / 14,412 km / 09:53”, featuring Col de Menée (1457 m), “Le Château – La Bâtie-des-Fonts / SR 12 / 9,852 km / 11:38”, crossing Col de Carabès (1261 m) and “Col de Chamauche – Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert / SR 13 / 11,335 km / 12:56”. Before returning to Valence (15:15), a time control will be held at Crest‘s Champ de Mars from 14:15.

On Friday, February 6, the second part of the Common Leg begins at 07:00. Three special stages are scheduled with “Aucelon – Barnave / SR 14 / 13,709 km / 08:31”, over Col de Pennes (1040 m), then “Bréziers – Selonnet / SR 15 / 13,403 km / 11:09”, with the feared Col des Garcinets (1185 m) and by the end “Auzet – Esclangon / SR 16 / 14,429 km / 12:06”. Arrival at the Parc Fermé in Monaco expected at 16:30, after checks in Saint-André-les-Alpes (13:45) and La Turbie (16:00).

The Final Leg, held overnight from Friday 6 to Saturday 7 February, starts at 21:00 in Monaco. Two legendary Monte-Carlo stages wrap up the rally: “La Bollène-Vésubie – Col de Turini / SR 17 / 15,008 km / 22:28” and “La Cabanette – Col de Braus / SR 18 / 13,669 km / 23:06”. Finish line is at Port Hercule in Monaco from 00:25.

As tradition dictates, the Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony will take place on Saturday evening, February 7, at the prestigious Salle des Etoiles at Sporting Monte-Carlo (Black tie or formal attire required)…