This week, the legendary roads around Monte Carlo will play host to a unique challenge as British driver Richard Crozier and co-driver Craig Parry take on the E-Rallye Monte Carlo in the works-backed, standard road-going Alpine A290 GTS. The event, running from October 13-18, combines competitive driving with energy efficiency, testing crews over a grueling 1000km of scenic yet demanding routes.
For Parry, an engineering geologist at AtkinsRéalis, a global partner of the BWT Alpine Formula One Team, it marks a return to the cockpit of the nimble Alpine hot hatch. Earlier this year, he and Ashleigh Morris secured third place in the Category Two International Class at ecoRally Scotland, helping Alpine claim the Manufacturer title. Their Scottish success follows the exploits of French rally legends Emmanuel ‘Manu’ Guigou and Emilien Le Borgne, long-time Alpine ambassadors who are also competing in Monte Carlo this week.
“Competing in an Alpine UK-backed A290 again on such famous roads is a dream come true,” said Parry. “Scotland showed that it is the perfect car for these types of regularity events; nimble, agile, practical and comfortable over long distances, while delivering great efficiency. It’s an honour to be on the event, adding another small chapter to Alpine’s competition history in its 70th anniversary year.”
For Crozier, this will be his first time behind the wheel of the A290, but he brings a wealth of motorsport experience, having competed in both UK and international rally events, including the British Rally Championship and World Rally Championship, in driver and co-driver roles. This season, he also served as clerk of the course at ecoRally Scotland. The duo will campaign the 220hp Alpine A290 GTS, a vehicle celebrated for its agility, performance, and efficiency.
“I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the Alpine A290,” Crozier said. “Its motorsport DNA should make it the perfect vehicle for the twisting roads in and around Monaco, and it’s a real honour to drive the car in such a famous location, where Alpine already has such a rich history of competition success in the World Rally Championship.”
E-Rallye Monte Carlo is a celebration of electrification in motorsport, showcasing how advanced engineering and innovative design come together on the world stage. Unlike traditional rallying, crews are scored not only on speed but on energy efficiency over ‘regularity’ stages, adding a strategic dimension to the 1000km route through mountain passes and iconic roads. Over 60 crews from across Europe are competing in this prestigious four-day event.
Nicola Burnside, Managing Director of Alpine UK, said: “Alpine’s motorsport-honed attributes of lightness and agility are just as relevant in today’s electrified world as they’ve always been, and I’m delighted to support Richard and Craig as they look to take on some of the world’s best regularity drivers around Monte Carlo. The A290 combines dynamic performance with real-world efficiency, and we’ll all be cheering the team on throughout this challenging event.”
The Alpine A290, recently crowned Best Fun EV in the 2025 Autocar Awards, is available now at Alpine retailers nationwide, offering drivers a compelling blend of everyday usability, efficiency, and motorsport-inspired performance.
