Rallye Mont-Blanc Morzine

The Rallye Mont-Blanc Morzine is a yearly motor rally held in the month of September in Morzine, Haute-Savoie. It is often held as part of the French Rally Championship. It began in 1947 with the Rally Paris-Evian, and it eventually became the Rallye. Formerly held in Annecy, this event moved to Morzine in 1989 where it adopted its current name in 1994.

One of the oldest continuing rallies in France, this rally has attracted famous names from the world of rally driving such as Sébastien Loeb, Stéphane Sarrazin, Philippe Bugalski and Pierre Campana. All the winners to date have been French with the exceptions of the Belgian Lucien Bianchi and Swiss Jean Krucker. Bugalski is the most successful driver in the events history with five wins between 1993 and 2000.

As well as part of the French Rally Championship, the Rallye Mont-Blanc was included in the European Rally Championship from 1988 to 1996.

Recent years

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2011

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In 2011, Pierre Campana, driving the same Mini Cooper WRC that won the Richard Burns Memorial Rally in England, added to his success. He took the lead after the previous leader Dany Snobeck crashed out. Gilles Nantet and Ludovic Gal were second and third respectively and it was Nantet's maiden ascent to the podium.

2012

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In 2012, Stéphane Sarrazin who won previously in 2004 took another commanding victory in the Peugeot 307 WRC with co-driver Benjamin Veillas.

2013

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In 2013, Julien Maurin won for the first time with co-driver Nicolas Klinger. Eric Brunson and Pierre Roché joined him on the podium. Maurin was the leader since SS2.

2014

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In 2014, Julien Maurin won for the second consecutive time, also leading from the second stage and beating rival competitors. The second placed driver Jean-Marie Cuoq was joined on the podium by Lionel Baud.

2015

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In 2015, the 67th running of this event, Stéphane Sarrazin won it for the third time, but the veteran driver Frédéric Comte died in a crash on SS2. After the agreement of the family, the rally was relaunched. Joining Sarrazin and his co-driver Jacques-Julien Renucci on the podium was Jean-Marie Cuoq, the runner-up from last year, and Yoann Bonato. The third placed co-driver, Denis Giraudet, made it on the podium for the first time in 21 years.

2016

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In 2016, this rally was won for the first time by Yoann Bonato driving a Citroën DS3 R5. Earlier his fellow Frenchman Sylvain Michel battled with him for the lead, but had fallen down to eleventh by the start of the second leg, eliminating any hopes of victory.

List of winners

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Sourced in part from:[1]

Season Winner Car
1957   Claude Storez Porsche 356 Carrera
1958   Claude Storez Porsche 356 Carrera
1959   Bernard Consten Alfa Romeo
1960
1961
not held
1962   René Trautmann Austin Cooper
1963   René Trautmann Citroën DS 19
1964
-
1968
not held
1969   Jean-Claude Andruet Alpine A110 1300
1970   Jean-François Piot Ford Escort Twin Cam
1971   Bernard Fiorentino Simca CG MC 2200 Coupé
1972   Bernard Darniche Alpine A110 1800
1973   Bernard Fiorentino Simca CG
1974   Jacques Henry Alpine A110 1800
1975   Francis Vincent Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV
1976   Bruno Saby Alpine A110 1800
1977   Bernard Béguin Alpine A310 1800
1978   Jan-Hug Hazard Porsche 911 Carrera
1979   Jean Krucker Porsche 911 Carrera RS
1980   Jean Ragnotti Renault 5 Alpine
1981   Bruno Saby Renault 5 Turbo
1982   Bruno Saby Renault 5 Turbo
1983   Francis Vincent Ferrari 308 GTB
1984   Jean Ragnotti Renault 5 Turbo
1985   François Chatriot Renault 5 Maxi Turbo
1986   Didier Auriol MG Metro 6R4
1987   Didier Auriol Ford Sierra RS Cosworth
1988   Didier Auriol Ford Sierra RS Cosworth
1989   François Chatriot BMW M3
1990   Bruno Saby Lancia Delta Integrale 16V
1991   Yves Loubet Lancia Delta Integrale 16V
1992   Bernard Béguin Ford Sierra RS Cosworth 4x4
1993   Philippe Bugalski Lancia Delta HF Integrale
1994   François Chatriot Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD
1995   Philippe Bugalski Renault Clio Maxi
1996   Gilles Panizzi Peugeot 306 Maxi
1997   Philippe Bugalski Renault Mégane Maxi
1998   Simon Jean-Joseph Subaru Impreza 555
1999   Philippe Bugalski Citroën Xsara Kit Car
2000   Philippe Bugalski Citroën Xsara T4
2001   Sébastien Loeb Citroën Xsara Kit Car
2002   Cédric Robert Peugeot 206 S1600
2003   Alexandre Bengué Peugeot 206 WRC
2004   Stéphane Sarrazin Subaru Impreza WRC
2005   Nicolas Bernardi Peugeot 206 WRC
2006   Jérôme Grosset-Janin Citroën Xsara WRC
2007   Jean-Marie Cuoq Peugeot 307 WRC
2008   Dany Snobeck Peugeot 307 WRC
2009   Patrick Henry Peugeot 206 WRC
2010   Dany Snobeck Peugeot 307 WRC
2011   Pierre Campana Mini John Cooper Works WRC
2012   Stéphane Sarrazin Peugeot 307 WRC
2013   Julien Maurin Ford Fiesta RS WRC
2014   Julien Maurin Ford Fiesta RS WRC
2015   Stéphane Sarrazin Ford Fiesta RS WRC
2016   Yoann Bonato Citroën DS3 R5
2017   Yoann Bonato Citroën DS3 R5

Fatalities

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  • In 1999, driver Mark Champeau died in a road accident during the reconnaissance.
  • In 2015, driver Frédéric Comte died on Stage 2 after a big accident. His accident came in the wake of two other similar tragedies that happened the same week. One of rally's darkest weeks that blackened preparations for Rally Australia.

References

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