THE MONTE CARLO RALLY

THE MONTE CARLO RALLY

The Monte Carlo Rally looks like being a success after all. It is the biggest of winter adventures—see Humphrey Symons’s classic book—and one of the most instructive of road events. The 1939 event is, sensibly and commendably, confined to coupe or saloon cars of a type of which at least thirty must have been sold. Large cars must have four or more seats and small cars at least two seats. Bodies must conform to certain minimum dimensions and drop-head coupes must remain closed. Superchargers are barred. There will be three classes : 750 c.c., 4-litre and over 4-litre—the new 750 c.c. class is rather curious, but is possibly included to attract some of the new French economy cars. The starting places are Amsterdam, Athens, Bucharest, John o’Groats, Palermo, Stavanger, Tallinn and Umea. Over all routes an average of 24.8 m.p.h. is required, with a last stage in each case of approximately 620 miles at 31.07 m.p.h. Athens carries 500 marks, the highest. John o’Groats carries 496 marks. The final tests, on which so much depends, will this time consist of an accelerationbrake-reverse test and a speed hillclimb—which does not sound unduly “circus.” Cars start on January 17th,

arriving on January 21st. The tests occupy January 22nd, 28rd, and the Comfort Competition is due on January 24th. Entries close on December 17th and at double fees on December 24th. The normal fee is 1,200 francs for small cars and 1,500 francs for large cars.

Details from : International Sporting Club, Monte Carlo, Monaco.