Just days after the conclusion of the Monte Carlo Rally, the Principality’s passion for motorsport will carry on with the 27th edition of the Historic Rally, set to begin this Saturday in Valencia. A total of 222 competitors will take part in the event, which celebrates classic cars and the challenge of precision driving.
While the Historic Rally follows in the footsteps of its high-speed WRC counterpart, the two competitions couldn’t be more different. Instead of racing for the fastest time, participants must maintain a predetermined average speed across 17 special stages. This requires careful navigation, expert handling, and a sharp focus on consistency. Even minor miscalculations on the tight, winding roads can cost valuable seconds, making the event a true test of skill and coordination.
To enhance the challenge, recent rule changes have limited the use of electronic assistance. GPS recalibration is no longer permitted, emphasising the crucial role of co-drivers in calculating speeds and timing manually. Organisers aim to bring back the strategic teamwork that once defined rallying.
Surviving the rally is just as important as precision. With over 1,600 kilometres to cover across five days, teams must ensure their vintage vehicles—manufactured between 1911 and 1982—are in top condition. Mechanical failures, wrong turns, and unpredictable weather all add to the difficulty. This year, recent snowfall and freezing temperatures could replicate the tricky conditions faced by WRC drivers, making for an even more demanding event.
Unlike the WRC, the Historic Rally takes place on open roads, adding an extra layer of unpredictability as competitors navigate through more than 500 towns. The route will take them from various starting points—Bad Homburg, Reims, Turin, and Monaco—before all teams reunite in the Principality on Tuesday evening. The final two night stages, including the iconic climb over Col de Turini, will bring the event to a thrilling conclusion.
With 26 nations represented and a diverse lineup of 34 car brands, the Historic Rally remains a true showcase of automotive heritage, blending nostalgia with the excitement of competitive rallying.
Image by Jack Brodie for NEWS.MC: Rally drivers returning to Monaco at the end of the 24th Historic Monte-Carlo Rally