Monte Carlo Rally

This year, Citroen's Sebastien Loeb has won the Rallye Monte Carlo. This is the 5th win for Loeb, which makes him the most successful driver ever in the event. Loeb and co-driver Daniel Elena completed the rally in their C4 WRC more than two and a half minutes ahead of second placed Mikko Hirvonen.

2008 sees the 76th edition of the Rallye Automobile Monte Carlo. An event organized yearly since 1911 in Montecarlo by the Automobile Club de Monaco. The rally, the oldest of its kind, was held from Friday 25th to Sunday 27th January between southeast France, mainly, the Ardeche and the French Riviera in the Principality of Monaco.

• 2007 Sébastien LOEB / Daniel ELENA with a Citroën C4 WRC
• 2006 Marcus GRÖNHOLM / Timo RAUTIAINEN with a Ford Focus RS WRC

• 2005 Sébastien LOEB / Daniel ELENA with a Citroën Xsara WRC

• 2004 Sébastien LOEB / Daniel ELENA with a Citroën Xsara WRC

• 2003 Sébastien LOEB / Daniel ELENA with a Citroën Xsara WRC

• 2002 Tommi MÄKINEN / Kaj LINDSTROM with a Subaru Impreza WRC

• 2001 Tommi MÄKINEN / Risto MANNISENMAKI with a Mitsubishi Lancer EVO

• 2000 Tommi MÄKINEN / Risto MANNISENMAKI with a Mitsubishi Lancer EVO

Name :Sebastien Loeb

Team: Citroen Total WRT

Nationality: French

Date of Birth: 26 February 1974

Current co-driver: Daniel Elena.

Achievements:

2008 World Rally Championship with Citroen.

2007 World Rally Champion with Citroen Sport - using new Citroen C4 WRC

2006 World Rally Champion with Kronos (Citroen Xsara WRC).

2005 World Rally Champion with Citroen (Xsara WRC).

2004 World Rally Champion with Citroen (Xsara WRC).

L'Automobile club de Monaco is one of the oldest organizations in the world dedicated to a mechanical sport. Founded in 1890 by bicycle fans, in 1907 with the confirmation of the automobile as a means of transport , the club ‘adopted' the automobile and started a whole new era.

It all began in 1911, at the height of the rivalry between two famous seaside towns, Nice and Monte-Carlo. Nice was famous for its carnival which attracted rich people from Europe to its casinos. In order to attract more tourists, Monaco decided to organize an automobile rally on the same lines as the celebrated "Italian Cycle Rally", with departure points in different European towns, converging on Monaco. At its beginnings, the rally was an important test for improvement and innovation of automobiles. Winning the rally gave the car a great deal of credibility and publicity.

This event was to take place in January, as a way of showing that the climate of the Principality at this time of year was exceptionally mild. Today, two men are considered to be the founders of this rally : Gabriel Vialon and Antony Noghes. They convinced prince Albert I of Monaco to prolong the tourist season in Monte Carlo by starting the year with a rally. The first year there were only 23 participants. But the Rally was so popular that the next again year the number of participants had quadrupled. This year, the event has been limited to 60 crews.

At its origins, the Rally was more a show than a race as it is today. The first year the average speed was established at 25 km/h. It was more a show of elegance. But, despite its origins, the Rally was always a test of car endurance as the weather conditions in the surrounding areas in January are tough. Often, drivers need to go through dry tarmac, wet tarmac and snow, which makes it very demanding on the tyres and requires skilled drivers. Thus, the original requirements to enter the Rally, were rather open. The car's weight, power and other specifications were secondary to the road challenges.

Monte Carlo is a district of the Principality of Monaco. Host to an internationally famous Casino, luxury hotels and leisure facilities, it is The place to be for the rich and famous.

Monte Carlo has something to offer to everyone. Bathed by the blue Mediterranean Sea it is great for the water sport lovers. For those interested in history, Monte Carlo is close to enchanting French Medieval villages. The snow lovers will find no match for the ski trails of the Alps, and the partygoers will enjoy exciting nightlife. For those who are interested in culture, Monte Carlo is close to the museums of Nice where you can find works by Matisse and Chagall. Also nearby are the shopping boulevards of Cannes and the boutiques and markets of San Remo.

By air

The Nice -Côte d'Azur International Airport is located 13.7 miles away from Monaco. Helicopters, buses, taxis and car services provide permanent links between the airport and the Principality of Monaco.

It takes 7 hours from New York, 10 from Tokyo, and 2 from London; excellent connections through European gateways.

By train

The Monaco-Monte Carlo railway station is a stop for many international trains. Trains to and from Nice run regularly and last approximately 25 minutes.

By sea

The two harbors of the Principality, the Condamine (Port Hercule harbor) and Fontvieille, are equipped to handle yachts of all weights and sizes while intercontinental cruiseliners are able to anchor in the Port Hercule bay of Monaco.