With few exceptions, the Rallye Monte-Carlo’s annual visit to
St-Bonnet-le-Froid has been one of the highlights of the WRC since the
creation of the championship. Today’s two competitive loops around the
small village have been a magnet for rally fans, with thousands and
thousands of spectators braving the sub-zero temperatures and snow to
admire their heroes.
We checked: there are 39 villages or small towns called Saint Bonnet
in France. The local tourist office wasn’t sure, but we also found out
that Saint Bonnet was a former Archbishop of Clermont-Ferrand, at the
end of seventh century. His remains, which travelled through the village
following his death on the way back from a pilgrimage to Rome, are kept
in the cathedral of the city where Michelin has its headquarters, and
not very far from the factory where its WRC tyres are made…
The
population of this normally sleepy place is just over 220, but today it
has been invaded - literally - by rally enthusiast and journalists from
all over Europe. Both the start and finish of the stage are just a short
walk from the narrow main street which has been closed to traffic for
the day, otherwise the inevitable jams would bring the rally to an
immediate standstill. The thousands of spectator cars – and buses! - are
parked along the country roads that feed into the village, although the
Gendarmerie is vigilantly keeping the rally itinerary clear.
Between
the day’s two attempts at the 25km classic (SS6/9), Saint Bonnet’s
‘centre’ is packed with people looking for a little shelter from the
persistent snow and freezing temperatures(-10°C). At midday, the few
bars and restaurants were bursting, forcing customers to spill onto the
snowy streets to enjoy their coffee, cocoa or hot wine, and eat their
frankfurters and chips. The result is a great festive atmosphere, while
the later competitors do their best to pick a path through the crowd on
their way to SS10.
Very soon, the cafés will empty, and the
plastic goblets, plates and forks will be thrown into bins as everyone
heads back to find a vantage point beside the stage itself. And who can
blame them for not wanting to miss a moment of the magic? This week’s
wintry weather has provided one of the most spectacular backdrops the
Rally Monte-Carlo has seen in years!
from best-of-rallylive