From 28^th January to 2^nd February Bill and I (that’s the co-driver John Morrow) competed in the Monte Carlo Historic rally. This famous event is now split into modern (WRC) and historic versions that run over most of the same stages one week apart. This year was particularly special as it was the 100^th edition of the rally and the celebrations and press coverage were amazing.  We were to compete against 327 other cars with some very famous crews. It was going to be a very interesting event.

The evening start at Reims was very cold but had a fantastic atmosphere and large crowds waved us off on the Concentration Run, a brutal 1000Km shakedown drive through the night to Monte Carlo. As we headed through France Mini fans turned out everywhere along the route to cheer us on. We pushed through the Jura mountains Rhone-Alps, Haute Alps and Maritime Alps, eventually arriving with a clean sheet in Monte Carlo the following afternoon. Ten percent of the cars had already dropped out of the rally and things hadn’t really started! Unfortunately there had been a sting in the tail: just outside Monte Carlo there was the first of 14 regularity stages which have to be driven at an ultra-precise average speed. We raced through this first one only to find we were 7 minutes fast and had been misled by a tripmeter malfunction. It was shame to find ourselves towards the back of the field this early on.

The following day we set off on the Classification Leg. A drive to Valence with four regularity stages. The first was a nightmare: awful conditions and car carnage everywhere. PRX 720B picked up a small ding but we had resolved the tripmeter issue and were pleased to find that we were 14^th overall. The day was very long and we finished the other three stages quite successfully and were moving quickly through the field. So far so good. We arrived in Valence cold and hungry around midnight. Hats off to the kebab shop owner who took pity on us and re-opened his grill to feed us.

The next was part 1 of the so-called Common Leg. A big loop around the Ardeche plateau encompassing four more regularity stages and finishing back at Valence.  Unlike previous years there was very little snow and we drove most of the stages without too much difficulty. Bill drove brilliantly  and I managed to keep us very close to target time. We were on the final stage of the day and in the top 50 when disaster struck in the form of a Mercedes van that we met in a head on collision. Damage was minimal and we pressed on after exchanging details. He shouldn’t have been on the stage but in rallying there are no excuses and we had lost time and were once again down the field.

The following day we made running repairs and continued on part 2 of the Common Leg: a run back to Monaco with two regularity stages. Again we did well and pulled back through the field. This was becoming a game of snakes and ladders. But now we had another problem. The rear suspension had been settling from the start of the rally and it dropped so low that we severed a rear brake pipe and lost all our hydraulic fluid. We arrived back in Monte Carlo using just the handbrake.

The final leg was the night loop: a 140Km helter-skelter blast over the mountains behind that tower behind Monaco. They  included the infamous Col de Turini where many a rally car has met its demise. Clearly we were in no condition for this but we were not ready to give up. Repairs are not permitted in Parc Ferme but very soon after the start we pulled over and the crew gave us a service. They had repaired three of the four spotlights damaged in the previous day’s collision. The broken brake pipe was removed, the end crimped over, the hydraulic fluid  replaced and voila!  -we had front brakes at least. They crew also changed us onto our last set of studded tyres and filled the tanks with all our remaining fuel. Bill drove brilliantly and for the first time ever we achieved our correct target speed at the summit of the Turini. Descents were another matter with less than perfect brakes: we erred on the side of caution and we started to get a little behind. We completed the three stages without incident, albeit a little slow, and made our way back to the podium in Monte Carlo. It was now 2.30am. The waterfront was bustling with rally crews telling tall tales and fans wanting autographs. We relaxed over beers and started to plan our 2012 campaign.

We had come 166^th overall, were 8^th in a very competitive class and the 5^th British car to cross the finish line.  Above all we had shown that when running well we could hold our own with any of the other crews. So roll on the 101^st edition; next year we are going to win! Definitely!

Until next year… John.

Note : A more detailed report of the rally together with some fab photos will appear in the April issue of Mini Magazine.

Team: Bill Richards, driver; John Morrow, co-driver; John Griffin, service; Paul Dunn, service and of course the star, PRX 720B our 1965 works replica Morris Mini Cooper S.

The team wishes to thank their sponsors: Mini Spares, UK, Millers Oils, Piper Cams and L& G Signs for their generous support.