It was in January 2023, Jean-Claude Leuvrey gave up his place as president of the organizing committee of the Monte-Carlo Historic Rally for the Reims stage.
It is the Reims Champagne Véhicules Historiques Sportifs (RCVHS) association which has been in charge of the Rémois start of this sporting event since the beginning, reserved for cars having participated in the “classic” Monte-Carlo rallies between 1911 and 1983 (
the rally of “classic” Monte-Carlo
2024 takes place from this Thursday January 25 to Sunday January 28
).
One year later, this February 1, 2024, it is at the wheel of a Porsche 911SC that we will find the Rémois who divides his life between France and Quebec.
He will line up with driver Pierre Bos, alongside 89 crews for the start of the Monte-Carlo Historic Rally.
A departure which will be launched in front of the Halles Boulingrin in Reims, on Thursday February 1 at 7 p.m.
The City of Coronations is one of the four European cities which host the start of this legendary race with Glasgow (Scotland), Milan (Italy) and Bad Hombourg (Germany).
All the competitors in this automobile regularity event are expected in the Monegasque city on Tuesday February 6.
“childhood dreams”
For Jean-Claude Leuvrey and his driver Pierre Bos (former European champion), this is not a first but a return: “In 1984, we won the rally with an Audi 80 Quattro,” he recalls. .
Forty years after this first experience, we decided to try the adventure again together.
It’s part of our childhood dreams.”
And even at 71 years old, the Rémois has not lost his desire for challenge.
Since he submitted his registration, he has set about conscientiously studying the route: the various regularity zones across the Ardèche, the Vercors and the Nice hinterland and his famous night in the Col du Turini.
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“I’m going through the roadbooks to be ready.
We have plenty to do before the race, he laughs.
And our Porsche is being serviced, it was a friend's car who made it available to us.
We are going to test it 48 hours before over a hundred kilometers.”
But the Rémois expects a few pitfalls on the 900 km route to the principality.
“What I'm looking forward to is taking a little photo of the Port of Monaco.
There, we say to ourselves phew!
We arrived.
I have no particular apprehensions but the snow is a limiting factor.
It can create traffic jams if the drivers no longer respect the requested averages.
And we have to be particularly vigilant because we are driving on open roads.”
But before getting to the heart of the matter, the Leuvrey/Bos duo will have to undergo the traditional administrative and technical checks in Reims, the day before departure.
A moment acclaimed by the general public which will be held at the Parc des Expositions in Reims from 2:30 p.m. on January 31 and from 8:30 a.m. on February 1.
Remember that in Reims, the Monte-Carlo Historic Rally has been the meeting place for enthusiasts of exceptional vehicles for more than 20 years.