The opening round of the 1988 FlA World Championship-the 56th Monte Carlo Rally - saw the factory teams keen to be back in action after only a short winter break. Lack of snow turned the South of France event into more of a high-speed tarmac thrash than a gruelling test of ice driving. Italy's Miki Biasion and Bruno Saby were hot favourites for opening honours. Hannu Mikkola, Timo Salonen and Ingwar Carlsson had revitalised Mazda 343 4WDs, Citroen were debuting their AX Sport and Yves Loubet was in a non-works Lancia. Thrill to this video which expertly captures the drama and high pace of the world's best known rally.