- Rallye Monte Carlo

The 74th Rallye Automobile Monte Carlo – the opening round of the FIA World Rally Championship - will be held from the 19th to the 22nd of January, 2006 . This one will be open to the following World Championships:
F.I.A World Rally Championship for Manufacturers
F.I.A World Rally Championship for Drivers
F.I.A World Rally Championship for Production Cars

Maximum number of competitors is limited to 60. Eligible cars :
World Rally Cars
Touring Cars (Group A), class A6, A7 and A8
Production Cars (Group N) only reserved to drivers registered in the 2006 F.I.A World Rally Championship for Production Cars.
Production Cars (Group N), class 4 (included the S 2000 cars)


Sospel will once again serve as the Shakedown location on Thursday, 19th January, from 8 am to 1 pm . The traditional starting ceremony in Monaco, will take place later the same day, at the Place du Casino, at 6:30 pm .

The First Leg will start on Friday 20th January, from 6:50 am . It will comprise 3 stages each raced twice. They will be located to the left side of the Var river and include a 30 minute service park in Monaco. There will be a return of the classic St Sauveur sur Tinée – Beuil (23 km) and two new stages: Guillaumes – Valberg (14 km) and Pierlas – Ilonse (22 km). Drivers will arrive back in the Principality at about 6:01 pm.

This being a winter rally, weather conditions and choice of tyres will play a crucial role as ever.

The Second Leg will be run on the right side of the Var river, starting with Sigale – D.10/D.110 fork (21 km), followed by the classic St Antonin – Toudon (20 km) and La Tour sur Tinée – Utelle (18 km). Return in Monaco for a service park of 30 minutes duration. For the second part of the day, competitors will make again St Antonin – Toudon and La Tour sur Tinée – Utelle and finish with La Bollène-Vésubie – Sospel . Drivers will arrive back in Monaco at about 6:00 pm.

Sunday will have more of a traditional flavour with Col de Braus – La Cabanette (12 km), followed by Col St Roch – Lantosque (13km), and then La Bollène Vésubie – Sospel (31.2 km) via the Col du Turini , all in quick succession.
After a change of tyres in Monaco, drivers will head off from the Col de Braus again before returning to the Principality for a final service park. From there, they will proceed to the "Place du Palais Princier", in front of the Palace, where the Winners´ Podium Prize-Giving Ceremony will be held, begining at 3:25 pm.