04.02.2012

Latvian team „RE Autoclub” crew Roberts Elbakjans and Alexander Terentyev junior with „Moskvitch 408” on saturday succesfully finished the 15th Rallye Monte Carlo Historique, in overall - 158th place. From more than 300 participants finish line reached only 214 car cews. From all latvian team the best performance – 17th place - showed russian pilot Ilya Kashin with latvian co-pilot Ramonds Stroks. But best performance from latvian pilot showed Karlis Mikelsons („Jaguar XK140 Coupe”) and took 31st place.

On 15th Rallye Monte Carlo Historique Latvia was represented not only with Roberts Elbajkans from „RE Autoclub” with in 1974 made „Moskvitch 408”, but also „Russon Baltic Racing” team with several „Jaguar” cars as well, „Narttime” with black „Volga” and Karlis Mikelsons/Normunds Vuguls with in 1956 (!) made „Jaguar”. Neither Lithuania nor Estonia in this rally was not represented.

„No doubt, that „Moskvitsh” is one of the legends in classical rally. We acertained about this in Monte Carlo, when in the finish one man came to us and said that fourty years ago he had shoot a photo with flying „Moskvitch” on Jyväskylä rally,” reveals „RE Autoclub” main manager and pilot Roberts Elbakjans. „Excatly „Moskvitch” is one of the cheapest car to take a part in such kind of rally. For many decades soviet automotives product moskvitch sowed that is ready to compete with such as brand like „Mercedes””.

In total overall 1st place takes belgian driver Jose Lareppe with in 1978 made „Opel Kadett GTE”, who was faster than french driver Jean – Pjerre Coppon with in 1972 made „Alpine –Renault A310” and norwegen driver Monty Karlan with in 1978 made „Porche 911 SC”.

In 17th place got Ilya Kasin („Jaguar E Coupe 4.2”, 1970.), Karlis Mikelsons („Jaguar XK140 Coupe”, 1956.) took 31st place, Janis Metmanis („GAZ Volga M21”, 1960.) – 95th place, Leonids Golovanovs („Jaguar E Coupe 4.2”, 1970.) – 126th place, Karline Stala („Jaguar E Coupe 4.2”, 1968.) – 134th place, Boriss Zhazhkovs („GAZ Volga M21”, 1960.) – 156th place, Roberts Elbakjans („Moskvitch 408”, 1974.) – 158th place, Oļegs Borisovs („GAZ Volga M21”, 1960.) – 159th place, Jurijs Lisenko („GAZ Volga M21”, 1960.) – 207th place, but Maris Zirnis un Agris Stanevics didn’t finish the race.

„Already now enjoying leiseure time in hotel somewhere in Monte Car, I can surely say that „RE Autoclub” and „Narttime” will continue their succesfull partnership in next Rallye Monte Carlo Historique. After a year we will come back more prepared to start with „Moskvitch” and „Volga””, says Roberts Elbakjans.