The 2010 Monte-Carlo Rally, officially 78ème Rallye Automobile de Monte-Carlo, was the first round of the 2010 Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) season. The rally took place over January 19–23, 2010.
Introduction
The rally started in Valence on Tuesday 19 January covering 1,668 km (1,036 mi) including 405 km (252 mi) on fifteen special stages. New to the IRC Championship, a 9 km (5.6 mi) prologue was held on Tuesday evening to determine the starting order for Wednesday's stages. Stages were run both during the day and at night and included the famous Col de Turini.
Finn Mikko Hirvonen driving the Ford Fiesta in competition for the first time and making his debut in the IRC, led the event from start to finish.[2][3]