Monte Carlo Heritage Runs
The Monte Carlo Rally comprises of several events in one. The main WRC event itself is partnered with both the 'Historique' and 'Classique' events. This year saw the 21st edition of the Historique event and the 3rd edition of the Classique event. Both events are staged by the Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM) and take place entirely on open public roads.
The 'Historique' (cars from 1955-1981) ran over eight days finishing in Monte Carlo in the early hours of February 7, while the 'Classique' (cars from 1911-1969) followed the same route to Monte Carlo, visited the same time controls, but did not include any timed stages.
There were several international starting locations for the event including the UK start from Paisley Abbey on Wednesday 31 January.
As a sideshow to the main events, there are also a number of 'Heritage Runs' which are designed to give prospective entrants a taste of the proceedings, without actually leaving their home turf, and this is where we find one of our members cars!
This year, John Clark (Area A1 Rep) partnered by his wife (and fellow club member) Gail, took their quattro rally car on two of the Monte Heritage runs, which included a send-off from the official start-ramp in Paisley!
January 31st started early and sunny for them at 8am in Aberdeen for the first run of about 170 miles to the start venue in Paisley.
Once in Glasgow, they were met (in the rain) by the Lord Provost of West Dumbartonshire Council with a light lunch, before proceeding to the main start venue at Paisley Abbey.
After the Monte Carlo bound cars had set-off on their international marathon, it was time for the second Heritage run to commence from the start-ramp and make their way in the dark to Stirling.
Overall, a good insight for the couple who plan to take part in the 'real' event in the not to distant future.