Snow in Monte-Carlo 2008… dream or reality?

The chances of seeing a snow-covered Monte Carlo, as in the past, have been reduced to nothing this season, despite some… unfounded hopes.

The WRC kicks off the 2008 season today with the first stage of the 76th Monte Carlo Rally. Unfortunately for the 110,000 spectators expected on the stages over the three days outside of Monaco, the snow will not mix with the patches of ice and other dangerous and spectacular elements…

The previous weeks, snow had fallen heavily on the Vercors and the Alps, especially at the Col de Turini, a legendary stage of the Monte’. But with the high temperatures, well above seasonal norms in recent days, the snow has melted in many places.

The only place still likely to enhance the competition is the famous Turini Pass, especially due to Saturday’s forecasts, which have a 15% chance of snowfalls.

Sébastien Loeb stated about this: « I had always dreamed of a Mont Blanc, but now, it doesn’t seem like it will be the case… »

« Okay, the conditions can be just as difficult without the snow. In some corners, there will be mud and elsewhere the road could be completely dry. So the weather is a bit disappointing, but it’s very nice out and it remains a very challenging test to negotiate! »