Scots set out on Monte Carlo adventureposted in OTHER25 | 01 | 2017

    AROUND 80 CARS crossed the Scottish start ramp for the 2017 running of the classic Rallye Monte Carlo. It’s the fourth time Paisley – which is bidding to be the 2021 UK City of Culture – was the only British start point out of seven European cities including Stockholm, Lisbon and Barcelona.

    Competitors in three different categories set off on the grieving 1300-mile adventure to the South of France; the first cars are scheduled to arrive in Monte Carlo at 4pm on Saturday.
The Historique class is being run for the 20th year and is restricted to cars which competed in the Monte Carlo Rallies between 1955 and 1980. It will run over eight days on open public roads with the cars and crews having undertaken a series of 14 demanding test stages in the mountains of southern France.

    The Classique event is for older cars from as early as 1911 to 1980 and 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.

    Related:

    Monte Carlo Historique set for Scots launch

    80 cars ready for Scots Monte Carlo start

    Once again the event also features 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.
A crowd estimated at 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 with lights, music, street food and pyrotechnics…..and working with staff from Renfrewshire Council and volunteers from many motorsport clubs in Scotland the organisers say it was the biggest and best yet.
At the wheel of one of the cars, an MG Midget, which is the official opening car for the Scottish start, was Douglas Anderson, the UK co-ordinator and the man responsible for bringing the Monte back to Scotland again in 2011. Understandably, he was delighted with the turnout.

    “This year’s Monte Start had all the ingredients to make it a unique mid-winter festival,” he said as he wrapped up against the cold. “I’m sure it lifted the spirits of all the folk from Paisley and beyond who come along each year to enjoy the wonderful carnival atmosphere.”

    Monte-Start-1.jpg

    Well prepared for a chilly drive south was Andrew Goodfellow from Dundee, and co-driver, his brother-in-law Derek Coghill. The duo are driving their 1930 Austin 7 Ulster open-topped two-seater sports which will – hopefully – complete the drive to Monte Carlo.
“What a fantastic opportunity this is to take part in this historic event and we’re both totally confident we and the car will make it all the way,” Andrew said. “The only concern is the snow on the route through the Alps.”

    Their drive will raise funds for SAMH, the Scottish Association of Mental Health.
 Also leaving the start ramp was 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 is being driven by Scottish rally enthusiasts Pat Haley and Mike Hyrons.

    1--Gordon-Glen-Opel-Cadett-photo.jpg

    Other cars taking part are a rare and original 1978 Ford Escort RS 2000, which had previously been on display in a car showroom in Wales; a 1960 Rover P4, affectionately named “Cuthbert”, which spent its early life in South Africa; plus 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.

    The event is supported by Renfrewshire Council. Provost Anne Hall said: “Once again, the people of Renfrewshire supported the Monte in their numbers and the presence of the cars made it such a colourful and lively atmosphere.

    “For Paisley to be joining various European capitals in hosting a start leg of this prestigious event is really raising our profile ahead of the UK City of Culture 2021 bid going in later this year.

    “Once again, it was a pleasure to be able to flag the cars off and I would like to wish all the best to the drivers setting off for France tonight.”

    Related: Ogier and M-Sport win WRC Monte Carlo

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

    Jim McGill

     

User Comments

Login or register to post comments.