Course openers at the Monte Carlo Rally: What is their role?

Before the big departure of Rally In Monte Carlo, the Automobile Club of Monaco released the list of course openers for the crews entered in the event. But what exactly is their role? In Monte Carlo, more than anywhere else, they hold a key to success. Like the crews, the course openers are paired: one at the wheel, the other in the co-driver's seat. Their objective is simple: to correct their crews' pace notes as precisely as possible, so that the drivers can fully concentrate on their performance in the special stages. Authorized to drive through the timed sections of the rally before the start of the special stage, no later than 70 minutes before the start, they refine, correct, and adjust the co-drivers' pace notes and provide the drivers with invaluable information about road conditions. And if there's one rally where this is essential, it's this one!

Crucial comparisons following the reconnaissance missions

Indeed, the competitors carried out their reconnaissance runs between Sunday and Tuesday. This allowed them to assess the 340-kilometer course prepared by the Automobile Club of Monaco. They were also able to observe the road conditions at the time of their reconnaissance, but now they must corroborate this information with their potential starting positions and the weather forecast. Regarding the latter, unless one has a crystal ball, it's difficult to draw a definitive conclusion. However, depending on the category in which they are entered, they have a general idea of ​​when they will start. For example, the WRC2 competitors know that they will be ahead of the Rally1 cars and that the roads they will be driving on may have been damaged by the cars that started just before them. Gravel, mud, or even snow: all these factors can significantly influence the outcome. Although the openers will not have this information during their first laps, they will be able to give precise reports to their crews on the sidelines of the second lap regarding the condition of the special stages after the caravan has passed through completely.

Prestigious openers

In the early morning, their role is crucial. They are the ones who can provide the drivers and co-drivers with the real information about the potential presence of snow or ice. Conditions can logically differ between reconnaissance and the rally itself: this is truly where the work of the course openers will pay off. It is therefore not uncommon to see pairs of experienced course openers: at this Monte Carlo Rally, Yohan Rossel will be able to count, as often, on the duo of French Champion Yoann Bonato and Benjamin Boulloud. Sébastien Ogier will be supported by Stéphane Lefebvre and Loris Pascaud, Bryan Bouffier and Denis Giraudet will accompany Oliver Solberg, François Delecour will be in charge of putting his son on the best possible track… In short, this list of openers, which is not exhaustive, is also mouthwatering and includes some prestigious names.

Discover the complete list of openers here

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