Shades of Hopkirk as Mini wins Monte rally

Trallyhere were echoes of Paddy Hopkirk in 1964 on HERO’s Winter Challenge to Monte Carlo as Kevin Haselden and Ryan Pickering claimed victory in their Mini Cooper S. The pairing, who also won Gold Medals on the Land’s End to John O’Groats LeJog epic in December, prevailed after 26 regularities and three tests over the course of five days and two nights.

The highlight of the final day was the last regularity running on the hallowed Col de Turini, world rallying’s most famous special stage. Crews tackled the 34 hairpins to finish under the arch outside the legendary Hôtel Les 3 Vallées.

The final day was not without unexpected hurdles for crews hoping to maintain their hard-earned class and podium positions as they approached the first regularity in the hills way above Menton and Monaco. The local council roadworks team had decided to close the road section to lay new concrete – just before 30 rally cars arrived.

But such inconveniences couldn’t take away from an event judged a huge success. “Here we are in the cold but bright finish of the rally on the Turini,” said clerk of the course Will Rutherford. “Three years of hard work due to Covid, and this all comes together this week really nicely with the right mix of snow, ice and a real challenge. There were difficult conditions with the maps for navigators and good roads for drivers.

“The highlight for me? The snow on leg two. I think it really made the event. Hopefully the next one will be in 2025.”

The Lancia Fulvia of Klaus Mueller and Rolf Pellini finished second, three minutes behind the winning Mini, with Dave Maryon and Andy Bellantyne clinching the final podium place in their MGB.