Michel Decremer and Yannick Albert, in an Opel Ascona 2000, have won the Rallye Monte Carlo Historique 2017. This famous rally starts in several European cities and ends in Monte Carlo, where the Brabançonne will resound on the stage today. Decremer and Albert received support from Patrick Snijers and Roel Geraerts as ice-spies or ’ouvreurs’.
Michel Decremer came fourth last year and started this edition with a healthy ambition, also because of the additional support of Snijers and Geraerts. After the sixth stage, Decremer and Albert took the lead. Michel used snow tires in that stage, advised by Patrick, in stead of nails like the other competitors. The team kept the lead till the last two stages. In the 13th stage, they lost some time due to engine trouble. It stalled twice. But the stage was completed successfully, and the last stage saw them taking first place.
Michel Decremer: “This edition was more challenging than the last one. Lots of ice and slippery spots on the roads. Less snow, but tough nonetheless. This kind of regularity rally can only be won if every piece of the puzzle falls into place. The preparation, the understanding between driver and co-driver, and the support from mechanics and ouvreurs. We didn’t really make any mistakes, and were able to deliver a consistent performance. In the last stage we only got 40 penalty points, allowing us to make up for the time lost in stage 13, and keeping our closed rivals at bay.”
Michel and Albert had to keep a cool head in the 13th stage, losing 15 to 16 seconds. That erased there 10 second lead they had before the start of that stage. The two last stages are driven on the Col de Turini in what is called the 'Night of the long knives'. It almost proved its name for our team. Due to an overload in the electrical system, the motor stalled twice. The team was able to push the car downhill and restart it. Because of some excellent driving in the last stage, keeping penalty points to a minimum, they secured first place.
Patrick Snijers and Roel Geraerts
Patrick Snijers and Roel Geraerts of CarCave have scouted the roads and conditions during this 20th edition of the Rallye Monte Carlo Historique. They led the way for 4 Belgian teams, sponsored by Carcave. Patrick, 7-time Belgian champion and European rally champion, was of course very well suited to pass on information to the teams. And he has experience as a driver in Monte Carlo himself. He and Roel Geraerts drove a Volvo S60 Polestar supplied by Volvo Belgium. You can watch some of their adventures on our Youtube channel.
Results for the 4 CarCave-teams:
01. Decremer – Albert (Opel Ascona 2000)
88. Declerck - Vyncke (Porsche 914/6 +5290 pts)
260. Lambert - Sylvan (Fiat Moretti 850 S +118240 pts)
Mulier-Goris (Volvo Amazon 123GT) had to drop out after mechanical problems.