Merc steals a Monte Carlo double

Mercedes-Benz triumphed on the Monte Carlo Challenge when Ake Gustavsson, Torrhild Hallre and Monty Karlan became the first back-to-back winners in its eight-year history.

But while the Norwegians’ 220SE ‘Fintail’ automatic revelled in last year’s snows, dry weather this year gave the Volvo Amazons the advantage.

A navigational slip in the final hour of the 1800-mile adventure cost Volvo crew Stuart Collins and Peter Rushforth victory, but a similar car crewed by Dutchmen Eddy van den Hoom and Rene Smeets was second.

The Porsche 356 of Briton Neil Wilson and American John Buffum was third, as last year.