2020 Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique - Départ Reims - Cars 1976 to 1979.

The 1979 BMW 3201 heads out of Reims with its crew of Igor Zorin and Nikolay Ostapolets.

Carlos Tavares.

This third and final post on the 2020 Monte Carlo Rallye Historique features the cars built between 1976 and 1979.   As well as the cars, their were a couple of "celebrity" drivers.  The 1980 and 1982 World Rally Champion Walter Rohrl was present to drive a Porsche.  Also the PSA Chairman and CEO, Carlos Tavares, who has done a bit of rallying in his time, was present to drive an old product of his company.

However, the real stars of these historic events are the cars.  The era of the late seventies is not my favourite but there was such variety and nice to be reminded of the Russian Ladas, the Toyota Celica and some nice Lancias.  Not to mention the Fiat X1/9, The Opel Kadett GTE, and the Ford Escort MkIIs.

All in all a lovely events and as I have mentioned before Reims really celebrates well its racing and rallying connections over the years.    The pictures below are of the verifications, driving to the Place du Boulingrin for the start, waiting for the start and the drive through Reims after the start.   I am sure I will return in the future.  it makes for a great start to the motor sport year.

The 1979 Porsche 911 SC that the multiple World Rally Champion Walter Röhl drove with Christian Geistdorfer.

 Constantin and Jegat in the 1976 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 pass the spectators in Reims.

The 1976 Lancia Beta Monte Carlo of De Olivera Miguel / Chapuis in the Boulingrin parking area.

Monnetreau and Roger in a 1976 Saab 96 V4 start their journey towards the south of France and eventually Monte Carlo.

A 1976 Ford Escort RS2000 MkII, with Herbeth and Jover on board, leads a queue of cars into the Boulingrin parking.

Christophe and Anne Baillet in this 1977 Ford Escort 2000 MkII finished an excellent 10th overall.

A 1977 Lada 1500S with Stanevics and Hmielevskis arrives for the rally.

The Russian crew of Kashin and Kostyrko in a 1977 Volkswagen Golf GTi.

Another Lada, this one the 1977 Vaz Lada 1500S of the Russians Zasadych and Shevel.

The 1977 Toyota Celica 1600 of Richard / Mignet in the verfications hall.

The 1977 Lancia Beta Monte Carlo of Valentin and Delhorme enters the Place du Boulingrin.

Another Lancia, this one the 1978 Beta Coupé of Vincentini and Waldmeier.  

Gordon and David Glen wave to the crowd from their 1978 Opel Kadett GTE.

A 1978 Autobianchi 112 Abarth with the Marcos on board sets off on its Rally.

A 1978 Citroen CX 2400 GTi in Reims with the Viets on board.

A 1978 Opel Kadett GTE speeds through Reims.

The Danish crew of Per Vilslev and Erik Andersen enjoying their preparation.

The 1978 Ford Escort RS2000 MkII tof David Glen and Andrew Sturgess hat started in Glasgow. 

The 1978 Lancia Beta Coupé of Rollet and Millet.

The 1979 Peugeot 104 ZS of Carlos Tavares and Pauline Schoofs.

The headlights of this 1979 Lancia Beta Coupé light up the crowd as he enters a sharp left-hander.  The crew was Molet and Demeure.

This picture of the 1979 Fiat X1/9 of Leonardi and Macq shows the huge crowd in the verfications hall.

A 1979 Autobianchi A112 Abarth with the crew of Morin and Tinnes.

Danes, Frandsen and Ostergaard-Nielsen, in a 1979 Volkswagen GTi driving through Reims at night.

  Vannerrum and Plas by their Audi 80 GLE for the technical scrutineering.

The  1979 Fiat 131 Racing of Vivier and Vignot leads some other rally cars in Reims.

Mike Kent and Rupert Barker in a 1979 Chrysler Sunbeam Ti in the queue.

The 1979 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV of the Flamberts.

A 1979 Opel Ascona 2000 with its crew of the Dutch pairing, Bart Thielen and Vincent Spijker. 

John Etherton asserts his copyright to all of the photos on this blogpost.  However, you may post the photos elsewhere on the web as long as you credit the photographer, John Etherton, and this blog post, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com and provide a link to this page.

John Etherton affirme son droit d'auteur à l'ensemble des photos sur ce billet de blog. Cependant, vous pouvez poster des photos ailleurs sur le web aussi longtemps que vous créditez le photographe, John Etherton, et ce blog, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com et fournissez un lien vers cette page.

The 1979 Porsche 924 of Maudit / Sacchet in the parking.

2020 Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique - Départ Reims - Cars of the Fifties & Sixties

The Bouchets' 1966 Alfa Romeo Guilia Sprint leaving Reims on the Monte Carlo Rally Historic.

Reims is a favourite city of mine with its history, motor racing connections, champagne, variety of architecture and great food.  Thus, this year I thought it was time to return for the start of the Monte Carlo Rally which Reims shares with six other cities.  Reims has the greater number of starters plus has the advantage of the Glasgow starters coming through as well. Thus a great place to see these historic rally cars start or continue on their their rally.  This year it was on Friday January 31st.

The Monte Carlo Rallye Historique has cars from the fifties, sixties and seventies compete in this regularity competition.  Joining the Historique competitors were those taking part in the Monte Carlo Rallye Classique as well, which do just the first part of the rally.  Cars from both events that were built up to 1969 feature in this blog post (other posts will follow).

My day in Reims following the event started at the verifications in the Parc des Expositions and then moved on to the gathering in the Place du Boulingrin and then finished with them driving off into the night on their way to the south of France.   I also caught up with one of the cars in the old pits at the Reims-Geux circuit.

I have to say I really enjoyed seeing these cars and my favourite was the Saab Sonett II but all of them helped make an enjoyable day.

A 1952 MG YB entering the square at Boulengrin in Reims after its journey from Glasgow.  Note the Welsh leek!

The 1958 Renault Fregate Amiral of the Bessons.

The 1958 Austin A35 of De Varine and Domange awaiting scrutineering.

A 1958 Triumph TR3 joins the queue as it arrives from Glasgow.

Another 1958 car arrives from Glasgow, a MG A.

Two Russian Volga M21s.

A 1962 Volga M21M

A 1963 Porsche 356C ready for its crew of Di Egidio and Ferrari.

A 1964 Morris Mini Cooper S visits the pits at Reims-Geux.

The 1964 Bond Equipe of De Varine and Santarossa.

A 1965 Porsche 911 leaves the podium on its way to the South of France driven by Cornet de Ways Ruart.

The 1965 Lancia Fulvia Coupé of Peccenini and Darre.

The Raffin's 1965 Lotus Cortina Mk1.

The 1966 Lotus Elan of Ordord and O'Brien.

The 1967 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia of the Durins drives through the night.

The Mockridge/Varney crew prepare for their journey in this 1967 Austin A40.

A 1967 Triumph Spitfire.

The 1968 Peugeot 404 speeds through Reims.

The Herman and Robert 1968 Saab Sonett II undergoing scrutineering.

The Vilalta/Vanderstraeten 1968 Saab 96 V4.

The 1968 Fiat Moretti 850S of Lambert and Sylvan.

The 1969 NSU 1200 TT of Leplaideur and Payre.

A 1969 MG B GT waiting for its crew of Deleas and Durand.

A 1969 Austin Mini Cooper receives its rally number from the Pradeau crew.

John Etherton asserts his copyright to all of the photos on this blogpost.  However, you may post the photos elsewhere on the web as long as you credit the photographer, John Etherton, and this blog post, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com and provide a link to this page.

John Etherton affirme son droit d'auteur à l'ensemble des photos sur ce billet de blog. Cependant, vous pouvez poster des photos ailleurs sur le web aussi longtemps que vous créditez le photographe, John Etherton, et ce blog, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com et fournissez un lien vers cette page.

The lovely Peugeot 404 of Thierry and Emeline Emptas.