The 1999 Monte Carlo Rally (formally known as the Rallye Automobile de Monte-Carlo 1999) was a motor racing event for rally cars that was held over three days between 18 and 20 January 1999. It marked the 67th running of the Monte Carlo Rally, and was the first round of the 1999 World Rally Championship season.[2] The 1999 event was based in the city-state of Monaco and was contested over fourteen special stages, covering a total competitive distance of 424.69km (263.89 miles).
The following crews were set to enter the rally. The event was open to crews competing in the World Rally Championship, as well as privateer entries that were not registered to score points in the manufacturer's championship. Twelve were entered under Group A regulations to compete in the World Rally Championship's Manufacturers' Championship.[4]
The drama began before the first stage, as Schwarz' Skoda suffered clutch issues before even making it to the ceremonial start ramp. As a result, Skoda pulled out both of their cars before the event began.
Monday's stages would be covered by an overcast and scattered rain showers would permeate the day. Makinen would start the day with the lead despite some minor brake issues experienced in the first stage. Sainz would go off the road in the first corner, damaging his car and causing a retirement later in the stage. Auriol and Burns would also suffer damage in the first stage, but would make it through. Mitsubishi driver Loix would also retire in the first stage, bringing the Mitsubishi and Toyota's numbers down to one each. McRae suffered from a fire in the first stage, but was able to continue. He would later suffer from a broken windscreen when he hit a group of spectators. Meanwhile, it was privateer Panizzi who was challenging Makinen for the lead, and he would take it by stage 4 and end the day with it, while McRae would take the win in the final two stages of the day.
Saturday would be a battle of tyre choice, as Makinen claimed Panizzi had made a better choice than him. But on stage 8, Panizzi would run into both mechanical and driving issues, while Makinen got the tyre choice right, leading to Makinen taking the lead back on the stage. The final two stages of the day would be run at night, atop the famous Col de Turini. Multiple drivers, especially non-French drivers, complained about spectators throwing snow on the road. Makinen would lead at the end of the day.
Sunday would start with Panizzi retiring from the event on the first stage after sliding on black ice and flipping the car; the damage was too severe to continue. McRae would get a stage win, but the progress would be undone by transmission issues rendering his Subaru front-wheel drive for stage 11. Didier Auriol would take two stage wins on the day, moving him up the order. Stage 13 would be the first ever stage win for SEAT, taken by Rovanpera. But in the end, it would be Makinen with the win. The Fords would later be disqualified from the event due to an illegal water pump, promoting Auriol to third.
