The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Taysider playing key role in legendary rally run to Monte Carlo
MOTORING: Dundee’s Douglas Anderson is UK coordinator for Clydebank departure
A Tayside classic car enthusiast will welcome crews from around the world to Scotland when the start flag drops on the 2019 rally run to Monte Carlo next month.
A field of 80 cars of the type which took part in the halcyon days of the legendary race will embark from Clydebank on January 31 for the long trip south.
It is the second time the town has hosted the event and thousands are expected to turn out to see the crews cross the start ramp.
Dundee man Douglas Anderson is the UK coordinator for the rally, staged by the Automobile Club de Monaco, and Clydebank is the only British start point among six European cities on the 1,500-mile challenge.
The contest features three categories, with the Historique Class being run for the 22nd year and restricted to car models which competed in the Monte Carlo rallies between 1955 and 1980.
It will run over eight days on open public roads as cars and crews undertake 14 test stages in the mountains of southern France.
The Classique event is for older cars, and the 2019 entry list features five 1930s Rileys, three of them driven by American crews.
Popular Monte heritage runs will follow on from the full-scale starts and take in a series of short classic routes in Scotland, including John o’ Groats, Aberdeen, Stirling and Dumfries.
Mr Anderson said: “It is wonderful to have the Scottish start returning to Clydeside.
“The event grows in stature every year and we’re confident the 2019 event will attract big crowds to wave them off on their drive to the sunshine in the south of France.
“They’ll all be sharing the magic of the Monte”.
Past years have seen regular participation by Tayside and Fife enthusiasts, including the 2017 drive to success for Andrew Goodfellow and Derek Coghill in a 1930 Austin 7 opentopped two-seater sports.
Last year Carnoustie pals David Tindal, Alan Falconer and Stephen Woods also enjoyed a memorable debut with a trouble free-run in their 1956 Ford Prefect on a Kilts to Carlo fundraiser for prostate cancer.