Hi, Doing some forward planning for next years WRC.

This year we did the Swedish & are booked to go to Catalunya in October.

Next year would like to do one of the winter rallies again but undecided whether to go for the Swedish again or try the Monte. Both events are similar air fairs but the Monte would be cheaper for accomodation.

What did you think of the Monte ?

Would like to hear your views / advice especially anyone thats been to both events.

Thanks
Richard :)

I'm thinking of going to the Monte next year too. Seems like a cheap way to watch a foreign WRC event. A group of friends of a friend went last year and couldn't rate it highly enough.

Cheap as chips, easy to get around when you're there, great stages and atmosphere. They only went for the day too!! Cost them about £100 (tops) each I think, including getting drunk and fed!

I'd really love to go to Finland, can't stop calling it the 1000 lakes. The missus keeps pestering me to take her for the rally, but I fear it may be pricey!

Catalunya is a good choice too I think. Another cheap round to watch. A girl at our motor club has won a trip to this years rally, as a guest of Prodrive too!! All expenses paid, loads of freebies, dinner with the team, the works. Grrrrrrr.
Life is so unfair sometimes! Although I am first on the reserve list to go with her if she happens to split up with her boyfriend before then!

I did Catalunya last year (so March 2002). Drove via the ferry from Plymouth in Tom's group of seven Scoobies. Superb trip - the driving, the partying, the laughs, oh, and the WRC at "The Bridge".

Did Monte this year - met quite a few SN'ers out there. Excellent time. If you've never been to Monte Carlo before, it's worth it just for that IMO. Amazing place.

I did Monte this year and were going next as well.
There are cheap flights about, plenty of hotels at good prices
and food is cheap. Access to stages is free and port area , parc ferme is also very accessible. Definately worth a trip IMHO.

Chip.

Thanks Guys :)

Must admit we are leaning towards going back to Sweden.

Chip, where is it best to stay ? is Nice a cheap option but too far from the stages ? are the stages easy to get to park up etc or do you have to leave the hotel at 3am ?

Is it possible to stay in Monte for a reasonable amount of dosh or is it just too expensive ?

Thanks
Richard

Richard

We did the Monte this year - great rally - one of the best we've been too. Staying in MC is not as bad as you would think. We stayed in Nice, as that is where we flew into - assuming it would be cheaper, but that is not always so. There are plenty of three star hotels in MC, so it shouldn't be a problem. Getting to the stages is pretty easy. There was only one that was a real hike (about a 3 hour drive), but you don't need to do that unless you want to.

Spectating is free and easy. If you want to goto the popular spots such as the Col de Turini, get there early. To be honest, we didn't bother and found some great viewing further down the stage. Do wrap up warm - it was well below zero in the mornings (about -10, if my memory serves me right) - but apart from that, I would thorughly recommend it.

Chris

I stayed in Monte this year at the Hotel De France. It was basic but clean and very friendly. They even baked croissants for us at 4.30 AM as we were leaving early one morning. Cost was about 80 euros for a double room. Staying in the Marriot next year which did start at 95 euros per double inc breakfast.

I would personally stay in Monaco as thats where the rally is based and you can see the cars in and out all day if your not on the stages.

Chip.