Monte Historique set for Scots launchposted in OTHER22 | 01 | 2017

    SCOTLAND WILL, AGAIN host one of the seven European starts for the 2017 historic rally run to Monte Carlo. Around 80 classic cars will gather in Paisley before setting off on the 1300 mile trip to the South of France.

    Paisley, the only British start point for the gruelling event, is bidding to be UK City of Culture 2021. The cars will leave the start ramp outside Paisley Abbey at 6pm on Wednesday (Jan 25) in three separate categories.

    2--Craig-and-Helen-McGibbon--2-.jpg

    The Historique class is being run for the 20th year and is restricted to car models which competed in the Monte Carlo Rallies between 1955 and 1980.

    It will take place over eight days on open public roads with the cars and crews undertaking a series of 14 demanding test stages in the mountains of southern France.

    Included in the line-up will be an ex-BMC works Mini Cooper S which competed in the Monte Carlo Rally 50 years ago, finishing sixth overall in the hands of rally legend Paddy Hopkirk.

    This year it will be driven by Scottish rally enthusiasts Pat Haley and Mike Hyrons. Also taking part will be a rare and original 1978 Ford Escort RS 2000 which had previously been on display in a car showroom in Wales.

    The Classique event — like the Historique, staged by the Automobile Club de Monaco — is for older cars from as early as 1911 to 1980. It follows the same route to Monte Carlo, but does not include any test stages, the goal simply being to finish in Monte Carlo after checking in at a series of control points on the way.

    4--David-Power-1.jpg

    Among the cars in this category are a 1960 Rover P4, affectionately named “Cuthbert”, and a Sunbeam Stiletto, which was built nearby at the Linwood car plant and looks as good as it did when it rolled off the production line in 1968.

    Once again the event will also feature the popular Monte Heritage Runs which will follow on from the full-scale events and will take in a series of short classic routes in Scotland.

    5--David-Pengilly-1.jpg

    Last year a crowd of more than 10,000 gathered in the centre of Paisley, with the magnificent backdrop of the Abbey, to wave off the crews in a party atmosphere.

    Working with staff from Renfrewshire Council and volunteers from many motorsport clubs in Scotland, the organisers expect this year’s start to be even bigger and better next year.

    Keep up-to-date with all the latest news by following us on twitter.com/Scotcars

    Jim McGill

     

    Captions (From Main Photo down):

    Gordon Glen and David Glen – Opel Kadett

    Craig and Helen McGibbon and Anne Meek – Volvo Amazon

    2016 Monte Carlo start in Paisley — Video

    David Power and Art Atwal – Fiat 127

    David Pengilly and Mark Denham — MGB

User Comments

Login or register to post comments.