Monte Carlo Historique

Prodrive’s hometown welcomes the Monte-Carlo Historique with a town centre full of classics

Classics heading for the snow-lined hills above Monaco packed into Banbury for the UK stopover of the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique.

Being the home of Prodrive, the rostrum was accompanied by an ex-Colin McRae 1996-season Subaru Impreza and a 2011 Mini Countryman WRC originally driven by Dani Sordo, both from the firm’s collection. They were joined by BGM Sport, who in tribute to its late founder Bill Gwynne brought along the ex-Jimmy McRae Vauxhall Chevette HSR, now restored with the Yokohama livery Gwynne campaigned the car with in the Eighties. Joining the Chevette was an extremely rare Ford Escort RS1700T, part of Ford’s abandoned pre-RS200 Group B project. Paddy Hopkirk’s 1964 rally-winning Mini Cooper arrived courtesy of the British Motor Museum.

The Market Square – where hundreds of classic fans braved sub-zero temperatures to see the rally cars – played host to 50 classics, including a 1930 DeSoto Six Series K, which finished in second place on the 1930 Monte-Carlo Rally, originally driven by Alaxandru C. Berlescu from Jassy, Romania, 2186 miles to Monaco. It was joined by veterans of the 1970 World Cup Rally, including Patrick Walker’s recently restored ex-Andrew Cowan Triumph 2.5PI.

Several of the cars contesting the Rallye Historique had been bought sight unseen and were taking on their very first long-distance rally, including husband and wife Richard and Noel Schneider, whose 1936 Riley Kestrel suffered an oil leak and failing headlights; it arrived on a trailer to be rapidly repaired by specialist Blue Diamond before setting off again under its own power. Andy James bought his Jaguar Mk2 3.8 from New Zealand specially to take on the event.

’Everywhere this rally’s gone, people have come out to see us’

‘It’s never done this kind of distance before, and it’s burning oil, but holding up well,’ said navigator Keith Woodburn. ‘But it’s everything a classic car should be about – having fun. And it’s so popular – everywhere this rally’s gone, people have come out to see us, despite the cold.’ Sam Dawson

The sight of six 1970 World Cup veterans inspired the competitors as they prepared to brave ice, snow and mountain passes en-route to Monaco.

The 1972 Fiat 124 Coupé of John Roberts and Oliver Tomlins, and the 1972 Lancia Fulvia 1600 HF of father and son Ritson and Ross Thomas.

Noel and Richard Schneider had only had their Riley Kestrel three days, but were making solid progress in this year’s rally.

Startline displays from Prodrive, the British Motor Museum and BGM Sport honoured Subaru, Mini, the McRaes and Bill Gwynne.

Both Andy James and his 1964 Jaguar Mk2 3.8 were competing in their very first rally. The pair had travelled all the way from New Zealand expressly for this event.

1930 DeSoto Six Series K was the oldest Monte Carlo veteran present, having tackled the 1930 event from Jassy, Romania.