Winter warm-up: point your classic car to Monte Carlo
Had the jab and ready to face the world again? Start your 2021 season with a run through the French wilderness
More than 1000 miles of roads will take you through the Ardèche and down to the Mediterranean
Winter Challenge to Monte Carlo February 7-11
The 22nd Winter Challenge to Monte Carlo takes place in early February and provides a great test for competitors –hopefully with a flurry of snow along the way.
A new route for 2021 has been devised to push those entrants who have taken up the challenge to even greater lengths, with tricky but scenic French thoroughfares taking competitors from the city of Troyes, 90 miles south-east of Paris, to the more balmy Monte Carlo.
Along the way there are almost 1250 miles of roads and bends, night stages and four tests that comprise a worthy challenge to kick off the 2021 season, with machinery dating from the 1960s onwards giving the event a distinctly classic feel.
The first leg of the event – known as the Concentration Run – will be from Troyes to Clermont-Ferrand, finishing up at the home of Michelin and the company’s motor sport facility and museum. Here is your chance to delve through map archives and take in an exhibition.
The Winter Challenge also includes night stages, so don’t forget your torch and batteries
A drive through quiet villages and mountain passes the following day delivers competitors to Aubenas and includes the first night section of the event, which is always a popular part of the drive.
The Burzet to Lachamp-Raphaël stage makes up the next phase in the Ardèche region. There is also the opportunity to indulge in tarte aux pommes, traditionally handed out at the end of SS1 back when the WRC route passed through. From there, it is on to Sophia Antipolis and eventually Monte Carlo, including a run up the Col de Turini to bring the jaunt to a close.
Alpine landscapes, outstanding views and testing regularities make up a unique event the ardent rally fan will appreciate.
More information: heroevents.eu
All Wheels race fest
February 19-21
Motorsport Australia and Motorcycling Australia have joined forces to put on what it calls the ultimate 2+4 motor sport event for race fans. It will showcase the fastest two- and four-wheeled machines in what will
be an adrenaline-filled weekend at the Phillip Island grand prix circuit.
Formula E – Diriyah ePrix Rounds 3 & 4
February 26 & 27
Formula E’s second double header of the year takes place in the desert surroundings of Saudi Arabia, with Diriyah hosting rounds three and four. It will also be the first time that Formula E takes place under floodlights – this is the series’ first night race.
NASCAR – Daytona 500
February 14
The 2021 NASCAR season kicks off with the traditional curtain-raiser, the Daytona 500. Denny Hamlin has taken two consecutive victories around the superspeedway. Will he bounce back from a disappointing end to 2020 and make it three in a row?
Asian Le Mans Series – 16 Hours of Abu Dhabi
February 4, 6, 19 & 20
A four-event season will take place solely around the Yas Marina Circuit throughout the month. The 16 Hours of Abu Dhabi will make up the entirety of the 2021 Asian Le Mans Series season, with races each lasting four hours. Day, dusk and night events are included.
Snetterton Stage Rally 2021
February 20
Rally action at Snetterton brings in the new year of motor sporting action in Norfolk, with gravel service roads providing an action-packed test for Escorts and hatchbacks alike. Grass banks provide good spectating points.
More February events
February Formula 1 pre-season testing, location TBC
February 6 Neil Howard Stage Rally, Oulton Park
February 9 NASCAR, Clash at Daytona