Town revved up for a record time
Town makes history as Monte Carlo rally host
25.11.2017 Buddies are making their marque in motoring history as Paisley has again been chosen as the starting venue of the 2018 Monte Carlo.
The town has broken a new record as it is the fifth time that Paisley – the only shortlisted Scottish entry for the title UK City of Culture 2021 - will be the UK starting point for the legendary motoring event.
A range of amazing machines will embark on the 1,500 mile adventure to the French Riviera in the one of the world’s most celebrated races.
Almost a hundred cars are expected to vroom off from the starting ramp outside Paisley Abbey at 6pm, on Wednesday January 31, in three separate categories.
The Historique class is being run for the 21st 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 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 1969 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 including Dumfries, and Banbury in Oxfordshire.
Once again, the event will 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.
While in January this year a crowd of more than 10,000 people gathered in Paisley with the magnificent backdrop of the Abbey to wish competitors Bon Voyage.
Buddies turned out in their droves to wave off the racing crews in a party atmosphere with lights, music, street food and fireworks.
The event has been secured thanks to the work of Renfrewshire Council, motoring enthusiasts and volunteers from many motorsport clubs.
Organisers are marking the official announcement with the launch taking place on Tuesday at Paisley’s 2021 Stadium, the home of St Mirren FC.
R e n f rew s h i re Provo s t Lorraine Cameron, St Mirren chief executive Tony Fitzpatrick and Douglas Anderson, UK co- ordinator and the man responsible for bringing the Monte back to Scotland in 2011, will be among those officially marking the launch.
Douglas will have with him his 1961 Triumph Herald Coupe which was the first car to leave the start ramp when the Scottish Start returned six years ago.
Also there will be several of the entrants in the 2018 event including Iain MacDonald of Kilmacolm, with his 1967 Saab 96 and Sandy McEwen and his rare 1971 Porsche 914/6, both of whom will be heading – hopefully – all the way to Monte Carlo.