01/Feb/2003 Monte Carlo Historic Rally - Day One :

Well, finally the opening day of this year's Monte Carlo Historic Rally has arrived!

While snow was reported to be falling in Paris, this area of the country was blessed with fine weather. Temperatures hovered around 8 degrees Celsius on the morning of the event start.

The CHR staff started their day's activities with the registration and inspection of competitors' vehicles, with all participants gathering in the inspection area on schedule at 12:00 noon. The 4 participants who have come all the way from Japan are reportedly all doing very well, confident for the race.

Throughout the afternoon, the restaurant near the inspection area was reserved and became a hive of activity with meetings among the participants, as well as Erik's explanation of the Rally regulations to the CHR staff and crews. Finally, a quiet pep talk and then the wait for the start.

Participants begin with a 'concentration leg' and will drive throughout the night, all aiming to reach their final destination of Valles Le Van. Participants will be heading to this goal from five different European locations: 100 crews left from the French town of Lens; 30 cars headed out from Torino in Italy; 47 participating teams went from Barcelona in northern Spain; while Germany's Bad Homberg played host to 26 vehicles; and finally, Monaco-registered entrants totaling 95 machines departed from Monte Carlo. Depending on where competitors start, they will face between 650 and 950 kilometres of what is considered to be 'tough sections'.

The CHR drivers and co-pilots took the route from Monte Carlo, with the 5 Alpines heading off from the area in front of the famed Casino. The desired time for this stage is 12 hours and 20 minutes, in which the crews will be running hard for the entire 660 kilometres.