Miguel Sánchez
MONTECARLO 2020 PHOTOS: HISTORICAL SEAT CARS / MCA
Any follower of the classics knows the Historic Monte Carlo. Possibly the most striking classic rally in Europe, which has just completed its XXIII edition. A edition with marked Spanish flavor, since the national participation has settled with two of the three positions of the final podium.
Bordering on absolute victory, the duo formed by Rafael Fernández Cosín and Julen Martínez riding their Lancia Fulvia HF was in second position. Just behind them were Juan Carlos Zorrilla and Marcos Gutiérrez, who rose to third position with their VW Golf mk1. Two showy successes backed by a collective feat: that of Escudería Madrid Históricos finishing second in the team classification.
Team in which, together with the aforementioned podium makers, three more cars were grouped. The Porsche 911 T 2.4 by Álvaro Ochagavias / Manuel Macho, the VW Golf GTI by Luis López Anos / Enrique Judez Crespo and the Antonio Sainz Cenamor / Secundino Suárez Porsche 912 number 12 overall.
In addition, there was also Spanish participation in the Blunik Racing team, since Josep María Bardolet was on board his SEAT 1400, which we will talk about in detail later. An essential part to rise with the third place in the team classifications, which was helped by being shoulder to shoulder with the Porsche 911 of David Nogareda and Álvaro Rollán.
PERFORMANCE OF HISTORICAL SEAT CARS
A few days ago we talked to you about SEAT 1400 that the brand's historic car division sent to the last Historic Monte Carlo Rally. A very meticulous restoration work, but made on the basis of a car let's say ... Not very thought for the competition. However, a job well done always pays off, so today we are announcing very good news. Neither more nor less than the sixteenth position, being also the second in its category.
A real knock was given by this vehicle with which SEAT Historic Cars commemorated the 65th anniversary of its premiere in Historic Monte Carlo. Also, be careful because the 1400 has achieved these results even though it is the third oldest car out of the three hundred participants. A performance that has not gone unnoticed by international fans, especially when for some moments he finished tenth overall.
Apart from this, the other two representatives of SEAT Historic Cars have also covered the file satisfactorily. The 1430 led by Enrique Trillo and Carles Jiménez finished in position number 33, without reporting any breakdown in the more than 3.000 kilometers covered. Like the 127 carried by Iván Vicario and Jesús Bonilla, directors of the magazines 'Classic Cars' y 'Classic Engine', respectively, which finished in position 94 but also in one piece. Good results for this experience of Historic SEAT Cars in Historic Monte Carlo, highlighting its past for the fourth consecutive year.
SEAT 1400. A SALOON ON THE SNOW
"When we were leaving Barcelona we did not know what was coming our way ... The car has gone phenomenal, it has not caused any problems". In these happy terms he expressed himself at the end of the Historic Monte Carlo 2020 Mia Bardolet. The SEAT 1400 driver acknowledged that he did not go all in his favor at this rally, despite the good omens felt in the Andorra Winter. However, the sedan tuned by SEAT Historic Cars has performed up to the task, only requiring improvements in terms of power for future participations.
The truth is that the 1400 has behaved remarkably well in the snow. A hostile terrain always present in the sections of Historic Monte Carlo. In that sense, Mía Bardolet was clear from the beginning which would be the two most important points to take into account: grip and braking. The first was addressed by wearing three different types of rubbers. Some contact, for mixed use. Other type "race”With snow studs and, finally, the Burzet: equipped with spikes for the Turini's ice sheets.
Just those plates in which, if you stop braking, you only manage to skate until you go off to an accident. Something that Mía Bardolet was very clear to avoid with her SEAT 1400. That is why she explained how "It was necessary to pick up the pace until you see when you can speed up the braking without locking the brakes … What I do is rock the car slightly so that when the time comes to turn in the direction of the curve, the front of the car is already oriented in the direction I want ”. Tricks from this veteran driver who has taken advantage of the unexpected abilities of this SEAT 1400.
P.S: To give you an idea of the level of the Historic Monte Carlo 2020, we are going to give you a curious fact. Has been the very Walter rohrl at 72 years old. A legend that has gone with caution, since we have him in number 49 in the general classification with his Porsche 911 SC.
