It looks great with its flamboyant forest green bodywork.
This 1967 MG -type B- features a series of Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique stickers on the top of its front door.
And for good reason, this is not the first time that this sleeping beauty will take the direction of Monaco from Reims (Marne).
“It's symbolic for me because my father did six Monte-Carlo Historic Rally with this MG.
And he is one of the rare French people to have brought home the trophy, it was in 2006, recalls Nicolas Buhot.
To tackle this rally today is an opportunity and a privilege.”
Because for six years, this family vehicle had been sleeping in a barn.
And Nicolas had to modify it from top to bottom so that it could take the start of the event on January 26th.
“We worked on the lighting, I completely redid the bodywork.
We rechecked all the mechanical components and changed the timer,” he explains.
But the forties is not his first attempt.
With his driver, Frédéric Lansiaux, he won the E-rallye Monte-Carlo in 2021, the “electric” version of the event.
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“Now we want to try History, it's a bit like the Holy Grail.
We were lucky enough to win the E-rally in 2021 and lift the cup presented by Prince Albert so we are not under too much pressure.
But we know that the History is the same course with additional constraints because it is the season when the roads can be snowy.
And to prepare for any eventuality, Nicolas has been preparing relentlessly for months.
On his phone, he displays the photos of his last reconnaissance expedition on the snowy roads of the route.
“We got stuck in a ditch for hours”
Nicolas Buhot, one of the participants of the 25th edition
“With Frédéric, we got stuck in a ditch for hours, did not forget the Rémois.
Fortunately a motorist got us out of this rut.
But it is important to see what we can expect.
“Each week, he follows a physical preparation program to keep fit and mental.
“I have to practice having automatisms.
Every day, I work in real conditions.
I do a little course and it's my father who does the pilot.
When I commit, I do it thoroughly.
And right now, I'm living Rally from morning to night.
Next Thursday (January 26) he will line up alongside one hundred and four other crews, including ten from Reims, for the start which will be given near the Halles Boulingrin in Reims, at 7 p.m.
All are expected in the Monegasque city on February 1.
Wednesday January 25 and Thursday January 26, technical checks open to the general public at the Parc des expos in Reims (Marne).
Start of the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique on Thursday 26 January at 7 p.m. in Reims, near the Halles du Boulingrin.
Complete itinerary on
https://acm.mc/edition/25e-rallye-montecarlo- historique/evenement/cartes-itineraires/
