Chris Ingram, European Rally Champion
European Rally Champion Chris Ingram recalls his first time attempting Rally Mont Blanc, travelling to the event with his Dad and being blown away by the Alps during the summer.
“My favourite road trip is one filled with happy memories. It was at the very beginning of my journey to becoming the reigning European Rally Champion, and takes me back to simpler, uncomplicated times when there was less pressure on my shoulders, time with my family and time to soak in the surroundings.
In 2013, I switched from running in the British Rally Championship to having a go at the Renault Twingo R2 France Trophy, which, as the title suggests, is a French championship. Dad and I figured that it would be a good way to experience the best roads and competitors that are on offer in Europe, and with the likes of Renault and Peugeot paying close attention to young, emerging talent, we felt it could be a way to get noticed, too.
The highlight of that 2013 season was the Rally Mont Blanc, based in the sleepy little town of Morzine. It was a real road trip for us. We put the little Twingo rally car on a trailer, hitched it to the back of our motorhome and set off from near Manchester toward the Channel Tunnel.
On the motorway, in the South, a driver of another car swerved around us and nudged the side of the motorhome. We pulled onto the hard shoulder and stopped, as did he. Then he jumped out of his car, wielding a rather large knife, and proceeded to try and break into the motorhome. When that failed, he tried to stab my Dad through the window. Luckily, at this point, a police car came by, pulled over, intervened and promptly arrested the guy. It was an adrenalin-charged start to our road trip, and we drove all the way through the UK and France with a smashed driver’s window!
When we arrived in the Alps, in the height of the summer, it was one of the most beautiful places you could hope to visit. We travelled around Mont Blanc, Lake Annecy, Morzine, Chamonix, Megeve and other places, in a hire car, a Polo if I remember rightly. We also used the hire car to do the recce for the rally. The roads in the Alps are the best I have ever seen, and I needed to push where it was safe to, to make reliable pace notes, and we were allowed two passes through the stages. That poor little Polo had a hard time.
The rally passed through picturesque, beautiful villages, flat-out of course. It was an amazing feeling, and made me hungry to succeed in rallying and tackle international events.
Photo: Frederic le Floch
Before the rally started we cooked pasta by Lac de Montriond, there were barbecues where we watched the sun set, and I had a laugh with my Dad. So all in all it was an amazing experience, to have time with people you love.
There were some lovely cars taking part, from vintage Porsches to WRC-spec modern rally cars. Yet out of around 200 entrants for the rally, I was the only British driver but the locals and competitors welcomed me with open arms. Every time I spoke any French I’d get a round of applause from the crowds!
I’ve done too many road trips on my own and it’s so much nicer to share the experience with someone. My dream roadtrip would be to tackle the west coast of America, and journey along Highway One, or head inland and drive Route 66.”