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Monte Carlo Rally: Britons Kris Meeke And Elfyn Evans Make Debuts (PHOTOS)

LOOK: Missing The Snow? Then Head For The Monte
The Huffington Post UK
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They may not yet be household names even in their native United Kingdom but Kris Meeke and Elfyn Evans are aiming to establish their reputations before 2014 is out.

Northen Irishman Meeke and his Welsh rival Evans are the first great British hopes on the World Rally Championship since the days of Colin McRae and Richard Burns. The pair have secured drives with factory teams - Citroen and Ford respectively - and make their full WRC debuts on the Monte Carlo Rally, which starts on Thursday.

Neither driver has a great record on the historic event though and as the last British winner in the Principality - Vic Elford - was way back in 1968, then we probably shouldn't expect to much on the season opener. However, Meeke may well have thoughts of Paddy Hopkirk at the back of his mind; his fellow countryman claimed a famous Monte Carlo win for Mini 50 years ago this month.

To mark the start of the WRC season in Monte Carlo - and to remind everyone that things don't need to grind to a halt when there's a bit of snow - we've compiled some great photos from events stretching back to that time.

Monte Carlo Rally
(01 of14)
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Jan 1995: Carlos Sainz and Luis Moya of Spain in action in their Subaru Impreza during the Monte Carlo Rally in Monaco. Sainz and Moya finished in first place with a time of 6:32.31 hours. \ Mandatory Credit: Pascal Rondeau/Allsport (credit:Getty Images)
(02 of14)
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A supporter waving a flare cheers Citroen pilot Sebastien Loeb and his co-pilot Daniel Elena during the second special stage of the 80th Monte Carlo rally between Burzet and Saint Martial, southeastern France, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani) (credit:AP)
(03 of14)
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French driver Sebastien Loeb steers his Citroën DS3 on January 17, 2013 in Gilhoc, southeastern France, during the 7th specials of the season-opening 81st Monte Carlo Rally between Lamastre and Alboussiere. AFP PHOTO / Jean Pierre Clatot (Photo credit should read JEAN-PIERRE CLATOT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(04 of14)
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Ronnie Adams/Ernest McMillen, Sunbeam Rapier (credit:PA)
(05 of14)
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German Armin Kremer drives a Subaru Impresa on January 16, 2013 in Col de la Fayolle, southeastern France, during the stage of the Monte-Carlo Rally between Le Moulinon and Antraigues. AFP PHOTO / Jean Pierre Clatot (Photo credit should read JEAN-PIERRE CLATOT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(06 of14)
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Finnish driver Anton Allen steers his Fiat during the eleventh stage of the 77th edition of the Monte-Carlo Rally on January 23, 2009 in Luceram, southeastern France. AFP PHOTO STEPHANE DANNA (Photo credit should read STEPHANE DANNA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(07 of14)
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The 29th Monte Carlo Rally won by a Mercedes 128 driven by German pair Walter Schock, and Rolf Moll, seen here during the gruelling Mountain driving test, the final phase of the rally. (credit:PA)
(08 of14)
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18 Jan 2002: Carlos Sainz of Spain driving a Ford Focus during the Monte Carlo Rally, the first stage of the World Rally Championship. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Grazia Neri/ALLSPORT (credit:Getty Images)
(09 of14)
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French Bryan Bouffier drives a Citroën DS3 on January 16, 2013 in Col de la Fayolle, southeastern France, during the stage of the Monte-Carlo Rally between Le Moulinon and Antraigues. AFP PHOTO / Jean Pierre Clatot (Photo credit should read JEAN-PIERRE CLATOT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(10 of14)
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L'Alpine Renault A110 n°22 de Jean-Claude Andruet et Michel Vial, troisièmes du 40ème Rallye de Monte Carlo, sort d'un virage, en janvier 1971.Alpine Renault A110 n°22 of Jean-Claude Andruet and Michel Vial, 3rd of the 40th Rally of Monte Carlo, takes a bend, in January 1971. (Photo credit should read STF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(11 of14)
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18 Jan 2002: Marcus Gronholm of Finland driving a Peugoet 206 during the Monte Carlo Rally, the first stage of the World Rally Championship. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Grazia Neri/ALLSPORT (credit:Getty Images)
(12 of14)
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Jan 1995: Carlos Sainz and Luis Moya of Spain in action in their Subaru Impreza during the Monte Carlo Rally in Monaco. Sainz and Moya finished in first place with a time of 6:32.31 hours. \ Mandatory Credit: Pascal Rondeau/Allsport (credit:Getty Images)
(13 of14)
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Italian Luca Betti drives a Peugeot 207 on January 16, 2013 in Col de la Fayolle, southeastern France, during the stage of the Monte-Carlo Rally between Le Moulinon and Antraigues. AFP PHOTO / Jean Pierre Clatot (Photo credit should read JEAN-PIERRE CLATOT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(14 of14)
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Jan 1995: Tommi Makinen and Seppo Harjane of Finland slide off the road in their Mitsubishi Lancer during the Monte Carlo Rally in Monaco. Makinen and Harjane finished in fourth place with a time of 6:37.12 hours. \ Mandatory Credit: Pascal Rondeau/Allsport (credit:Getty Images)
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