24.10.2012

Already now Latvian racing team „RE Autoclub” are preparing cars for 16th Rallye Monte Carlo Historique, that will take place in the end of the January 2013. On 20th October In Complex Sports Centre of Bikernieki took place the last stage of Supersprint rally cup where particpated two of four „Moskvitch 408” that were tested for rallye Monte Carlo Historique.

Latvian racing team „RE Autoclub” participates not only in FIA world cup rally raid championship stages, but also in other sports disciplines. In February 2012 Roberts Elbakjans/Alexandr Terentyev („RE Autoclub” ) with „Moskvitch 408” successfully finished in 15th Rallye Monte Carlo Historique - they took 158th place within more than 300 participants competition. Total rally stage was more than 3 000 km in the roads of Spain, France, Italy and Monako.

„We participated with perfectly prepared car last year. We made sure, that we can built perfect street cars for long and difficult roads. Next year on January „RE Autoclub” will return with four new „Moskvitch 408”. First tests with new updated „Moskvitch” we had during Supersprint rally in Complex Sports Centre of Bikernieki”, declairs „RE Autoclub” director Roberts Elbakjans: „In Bikernieki we made sure that this is the best place where to test „Moskvitch 408” 2WD for upcoming rally in Monte Carlo.”

In Rallye Monte Carlo Historique first places gets not the fastest crews, but those who sticks in to the speed limits. Without good preparation its hard to compete for good result. „As the race takes places in winter, almost all participants fail and can not cope with the speed limit. Last year penalties got everyone who staed behind the race schedule. Next year behind the „Moskvitch” wheel will be three Russian pilots, one of them – Russian champion Ruslan Misikov with his co-driver Edgars Trups (Latvian Championship winner).”

In Supersprint rally cup last stage on 20th October where announced champions in all eight classifications, also in youth class. „Moskvitch 408” was piloted by Raimonds Elbakjans in „VAZ Historic Open” class. „It was my fist time on 2WD. It was amazing experience,” says Raimonds Elbakjans. „On a track with asphalt and grit surfaces we could test both of „Moskvitch” cars. Although on first look both cars seems similar, during the race they were quite different. It is good, that more and more people have less prejudice for Soviet time cars – everyone is intersted in all cars – weather it’s a BMW, VAZ or „Volga””.