History 1990s

1996 Rallye Monte-Carlo (Monaco)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1996 Rallye Monte-Carlo (Monaco)

Date: January 20–25, 1996

Start Location: Monaco

Finish Location: Monaco

Total Distance: 377.10 km of special stages

Surface: Asphalt/Snow

The 1996 Rallye Monte-Carlo offered a thrilling mix of asphalt and snow-covered roads, testing both car setup and driving skill to the limit. Patrick Bernardini and Bernard Occelli triumphed in their Ford Escort RS Cosworth, mastering the difficult conditions with perfect tire choices and precision driving. Their ability to manage the ever-changing conditions throughout the event secured them a well-deserved win in one of the most prestigious rallies on the calendar.

Route

Col de Turini: A famous stage with tight, snow-covered corners that required excellent tire strategy and precise car control.
Alpes-Maritimes: A faster section with dry asphalt roads, where competitors could stretch the legs of their cars and gain an edge in the overall standings.
La Bollène-Vésubie: A snow-covered route that tested the drivers’ ability to maintain control on slippery roads and manage tire wear under extreme conditions.

The 1996 Monte Carlo Rally featured a mixture of snow-covered mountain passes and dry asphalt roads, with competitors facing a variety of challenges:

Tire choice was critical throughout the event, with drivers needing to adapt to snow and ice on some stages while pushing for speed on dry roads in others.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Patrick Bernardini & Bernard Occelli · Ford Escort RS Cosworth
2nd Place
Didier Auriol & Bernard Occelli · Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD
3rd Place
Colin McRae & Derek Ringer · Subaru Impreza 555

Bernardini’s consistent pace across the snow and asphalt stages allowed him to take the win, with Auriol and McRae closely trailing but unable to match Bernardini’s tire strategy and overall speed on the tricky stages.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Snow and Ice: The rally’s snow-covered stages demanded precise car control, as well as perfect tire choices to maintain grip.
  • Asphalt Speed: The dry asphalt sections allowed for higher speeds, testing both car stability and tire management across the various stages.
  • Weather Variability: With the changing weather conditions, drivers had to be adaptable, choosing tire setups that could handle both snow and dry tarmac efficiently.

The 1996 Rallye Monte-Carlo demonstrated the importance of adapting to changing conditions, with Bernardini’s victory serving as a perfect example of how tire strategy and precise driving can result in success at one of the world’s most challenging events.

← Previous Event 1995 Granada–Dakar Rally (Spain–Morocco–Mauritania–Guinea–Senegal)
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