Monte Carlo, October 2025 – The iconic mountain passes of Monte Carlo played host to a distinctly modern kind of rallying this past week, as British pairing Richard Crozier and Craig Parry competed in the 30th anniversary edition of the FIA ecoRally Monte Carlo – behind the wheel of a works-backed, standard road-going Alpine A290 GTS.
The pair, entered under Alpine UK support, were the sole British representatives in a highly competitive international field of 62 crews spanning 17 car manufacturers, ultimately finishing 47th overall after four gruelling days and over 1 000km of driving, including 231km of regularity stages.
Unlike conventional rallies that reward outright speed, ecoRally events test precision and efficiency, with teams scored on their ability to maintain exact average speeds across designated ‘regularity’ stages while minimising energy consumption.
A New Challenge for the British Crew
For Crozier and Parry, both seasoned rally competitors, the Monte Carlo event marked their first foray into the ecoRally discipline – a steep learning curve made steeper by the technicality of the famed Alpine stages. Among the highlights were routes over Col de Tende, Col des Champs, and the legendary Col de Turini, which featured as a night stage – a challenge even for the most experienced crews.
Parry, an engineering geologist with AtkinsRéalis – a global partner of the BWT Alpine Formula One Team – entered the event following a successful podium finish at ecoRally Scotland earlier in the year. That previous outing proved invaluable preparation, but Monte Carlo offered a wholly different scale of challenge.
“The Alpine A290 was perfect for the event,” Parry reflected. “It’s nimble, comfortable, and felt completely at home on those tight, twisting Monte Carlo roads. But it was a huge step up in terms of navigation. I learned more in this one event than in four years of rallying in the UK. Now I just want to go back and put those lessons into practice.”
Crozier: “One of the Most Memorable Drives of My Career”
Driver Richard Crozier, whose extensive career includes appearances in the British Rally Championship, World Rally Championship, and various national events, was equally enthusiastic about the experience.
“In over 18 years of rallying, driving the Alpine A290 around the Monte Carlo stages ranks among the most memorable and enjoyable experiences I’ve ever had,” he said. “We knew it would be tough, but we wanted to immerse ourselves in this emerging form of motorsport and build experience. The A290 delivered brilliantly – agile, responsive, and absolutely confidence-inspiring.”
Alpine A290 Proves Its Mettle
The Alpine A290, recently crowned ‘Best Fun EV’ at the 2025 Autocar Awards, once again demonstrated its motorsport DNA. Compact yet capable, its precise handling and lightweight construction made it ideally suited to the demanding roads that snake through the mountains above the Mediterranean coast.
Leading the Alpine contingent was ten-time French Rally Champion Emmanuel ‘Manu’ Guigou and co-driver Emilien Le Borgne, who finished fifth overall in the FIA standings and as the top Alpine crew out of six entries – following up their class win at ecoRally Scotland earlier this season.
Building Momentum for the Future
For Alpine UK, the result underlines the A290’s versatility and its growing reputation as a true driver’s EV. Nicola Burnside, Managing Director of Alpine UK, commended the British team’s performance:
“Richard and Craig went head-to-head with a world-class field and kept improving throughout the event. What impressed us most was how they adapted, using the Alpine A290’s agility and balance to climb steadily through the rankings. It’s proof that the A290 is every bit as engaging and capable in real-world conditions as it is on paper.”
The Next Chapter
As the ecoRally movement continues to grow, blending sustainability with the thrill of motorsport, Crozier and Parry’s Monte Carlo adventure represents an exciting glimpse into a new era of competition – one where efficiency and precision meet passion and performance.
With their first taste of ecoRally Monte Carlo now under their belts, both drivers have made one thing clear: this is only the beginning.
“We’ll be back,” Parry smiled. “And next time, we’ll be aiming much higher.”
The Alpine A290 GTS is available now through Alpine retailers nationwide, offering drivers the perfect balance of motorsport-inspired agility, zero-emission performance, and everyday usability – designed to make every journey an event.
