It will be the experience of a lifetime for the young South African rally driver, Henk Lategan, and his co-driver, Barry White, when they arrive at the start line of the iconic world rally, the Monte Carlo Rally. It will be the first time in more than 40 years that a South African rally crew has been entered in the Monte Carlo Rally.
Lategan has been a regular competitor on European national events and also competed on the Acropolis last year, but this will be a completely kettle of fish for the youngster.
He has been overseas for a few weeks now practising for the event. He participated in the recce of the Jannerrally and has been practising on the icy and snow roads since, He has found the roads a completely new experience. They are very slippery and the ice and snow does not make things easy.
While the weather is currently somewhat mild in Monte Carlo now, there is the possibility that more snow can fall.
A source close to Lategan told Rallystar that he has adapted well, but that the Monte is a real marathon rally of some 380km, but that the ice and snow makes it even more difficult.
Lategan competes in the South African Rally championship and is a works driver for Volkswagen.
Lategan is currently on the recce for the Monte that starts Thursday in Monte Carlo with two night stages before moving into the mountains.
The Monte Carlo Rally was held for the first time in 1911 as part of the official opening of the casino.From 1963 to 1973 the winners of the Total International Rally was given an entry into the Monte as part of their winners award..
Rallystar will be following his progress on the event.