Rallye Monte-Carlo, arguably the most iconic of rallies, first roared into life in 1911. Famed for its challenging driving conditions, it puts driver, co-driver, and automobile alike to the sternest of tests. I’ve always loved motorsport history and was fortunate to have our 1979 Porsche 924 Turbo rally car—period-correct and carrying an FIA Historic Technical Passport—approved for entry into this year’s 27th Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique.

Knowing the stories of the event, I fully expected the long hours behind the wheel and the relentless test of skill, and this year’s rallye didn’t disappoint. We kicked off in Monaco on January 30th at 6 PM, navigating toward Valence with our windshield taking the full force of rain, snow, and ice. We crossed into France for four days of intense action before turning back to Monaco for the final night stage. Rallye Monte-Carlo is structured as a ‘time and distance event’, meaning the scoring demands absolute discipline—sticking as closely as possible to the correct time and speed for each stage. Unlike a traditional rally, where the fastest time wins, speeding here won’t get you the victory. These events, also known as ‘irregularity rallies,’ consist of stages called ‘irregularities.’ Adjusting to this format was a new experience—trying to maintain precise speeds instead of going flat out, which, with my background in stage rallying, would have been the natural instinct. That’s part of the unique charm of Rallye Monte-Carlo.

Over the following days, we encountered every extreme condition imaginable—from treacherous ice and snow-covered roads to pounding rain and thick fog that made visibility a challenge. Each day pushed us to the limit, but it also rewarded us with some of the most breathtaking winter scenery. At least two or three times a day, we’d pass through check points in picturesque country towns, where locals came out to admire the cars and cheer on the drivers—an inspiring and unforgettable experience. By the rallye’s end, we had covered over 2,300 km through the French countryside and Alps, almost exclusively on small, winding roads. The Porsche 924 Turbo proved to be the perfect car for this event, and the Retro Sporting crew’s setup was flawless. We opted for studless winter tires with gravel suspension, raising the ride height slightly to avoid bottoming out or hitting obstacles.

This turned out to be a great decision, as we did indeed encounter large rocks, debris-strewn roads, and sudden moments where we had to veer off-road to avoid oncoming traffic. Since this is an ‘irregularity rallye’, the stages remain open to the public, meaning every road is still a functioning highway. That certainly made things interesting at times…

Overall, it was an incredible event—amazing cars, fantastic people, and an unforgettable experience. And to start and finish in such an iconic location as Monaco was the perfect touch. The final day saw us leave Valence and arrive back in Monaco at 3 AM, after two grueling night stages. Driving such a legendary route in freezing, pitch-black conditions was surreal. Fortunately, we completed the rallye with only a few minor mechanical issues, which we managed to fix easily—unlike many of our fellow competitors who weren’t as lucky.

Once back in Monaco, the event wrapped up in style with the official Gala at the Monaco Sporting Club. Not a bad way to end such a legendary rally.

What an occasion to be part of—not just for the driving experience and the sublime collection of cars on display, but for the camaraderie between the drivers and crews, working tirelessly to get everyone over the finish line.

A huge thank you to the Retro Sporting crew for making this adventure possible and to Röhma for keeping us laced up in the very best driving shoes.

Ace Robey, Retro Sporting founder