Glasgow start for Monte Rally 28 | 01 | 2011

GLASGOW WAS the starting point for the 2011 Monte Carlo Classic Rally as dozens of pre-1974 cars from four continents set off in the cold and dark from the city's Blythswood Square Hotel, he former headquarters of the Royal Scottish Automobile Club. The rally returned to the city for the first time since 1973 to mark its centenary year.

Led by Scotland's 1990 Ladies World Rally Champion, and twice winner of the coveted 'Coup de Dames' in the modern version of the rally, Louise Aitken-Walker — in her capacity as the course car celebrity driving a works replica Austin Healey 3000 — the 49 cars headed south.

While other cars started from Marrakesh, Warsaw, Barcelona and Reims, the Glasgow crews face a daunting 2000-mile trip across the Alps arriving in Monaco tomorrow.

Of the crews which left the start ramp in Glasgow, only two were Scottish, the rest coming from all over the world including France, Canada and Japan. And Blairgowrie's Anthony Hart, a co-driver in one of the Scottish teams, admitted his big concern was the lack of sleep.

“We’re all ready to go,” he said as he lent on the 1960s Mini Cooper S which will be his home for the best part of two full days. “In fact, maybe the car is readier than the driver. I’m feeling apprehension. It’s a long way and I’m not used to going multiple days without sleep.”

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Jim McGill

Photo: Alan Douglas