24.01.2013

Latvian racing team „RE Autoclub” in cooperation with Russian racing team „Nart Time” from 25th of January till 1st of February will participate in rallye Monte – Carlo Historique with four vehicles. On Tuesday all racing cars – three "Moskvitch 408" and „Triumph TR4” - started their trip to Barcelona (Spain) where will be given start for the competitions.

Rallye Monte – Carlo Historique will run it’s 16th edition and at the moment in the entry list there are 314 historic car crews from all around the world. For first time in 2012 racing team „RE Autoclub” debuted in Rallye Monte – Carlo Historique with „Moskvitch 408”, piloted by Roberts Elbakjans/Alexander Terentyev Jr.

All three „Moskvitch 408” and „Triumph TR4” cars were renewed in „RE Autoclub” workshop in Riga, cars were also tested in Latvian winter conditions. Although Rallye Monte – Carlo Historique main racing roads will go through Spain, France and Monako, for drivers the snowy and slippery up-hill roads will be a big challenge.

As first among all „Moskvitch 408” will be Russian pilot Ruslan Misikov with co-driver Konstantin Zhilcov (starting no. 231), with number 234 will participate Andrey Dmitriyev/Vladimir Demyanenko (former USSR leading co-driver), Alexander Terentyev/ Alexander Terentyev Jr. (no.229). As technical assistance crew will participate Roberts Elbakjans un Edgars Trups (no.237).

„We have made great improvements – increased engine power, self-blocking differencial on a rare axel and we have worked especially on suspension and car stability. In 22nd of January all participating cars will be transported to competitions start place – Barcelona. Racing team have chosen one of the hardest rally track to gain starting line and assign maximum average speed limit. This year we will be more ready to overcome all difficulties – narrow, snowy and slippery up-hill roads.” informs racing team „RE Autoclub” director Roberts Elbakjans.

Just before Rallye Monte – Carlo Historique, Konstantin Zhiltsov in FIA Cross – Country World Cup 2012 together with french pilot Jean Louis Schlesser took 3rd place in overall. Few days ago, Zhiltsov, together with Russian pilot Leonid Novitsky, participated in Dakar marathon rally, where they represented „Monster Energy X-Raid” crew with „All4 Racing Mini”. Novitsky/Zhiltsov duet took 3rd place in Dakar 2013 overall result.