Home > News > News > Clydebank gets ready to kick-off the Monte Carlo Classic Rally

Clydebank gets ready to kick-off the Monte Carlo Classic Rally

Excitement is building as Clydebank gets ready to play host to more than 100 glamorous classic cars on January 29 when the 2012 Monte Carlo Classic Rally starts on the banks of the Clyde. 

Clydebank joins Barcelona, Oslo, Turin, Reims and Warsaw as the 2012 official starting locations for the rally, which is one of the most famous motor sport events in the world. The cars will speed away from a start ramp in front of the £33 million Clydebank College campus cheered on by thousands of spectators and a special period Monte Carlo Show.

The entertainment will begin at 2pm and spectators can view all the cars taking part as well as exhibitions from various car enthusiasts including Knockhill racing. The first car will set off from the launch platform at 5.30pm and proceed along the planned route through Clydebank and onto the Eskine Bridge. They’ll then drive through the night to Dover and over the English Channel on route to Monte Carlo.

The Monte Carlo classic rally was started in 1911 by Prince Albert 1 of Monaco. Cars and crews start at different European start points, roughly equidistant from Monte Carlo. They then make their way to the Principality, over the snow-capped French Alps in winter, before emerging into the sunshine of Monte Carlo.

Drivers starting in Clydebank will finish the event, if successful, on February 4 with a grand ceremony after participating in the famous concentration runs in the mountains above Monaco. The man who brought the Monte back to Scotland last year, Douglas Anderson, is set to travel to Monte Carlo again in 2012, and will deliver a bottle of local 14-year-old Auchentoshan whisky to Prince Albert from Provost Denis Agnew on behalf of the people of Clydebank.

Provost Agnew said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be hosting the start of the Monte Carlo Classic Rally this year and as a gesture of goodwill we will be sending a bottle of local Auchentoshan whisky down to be delivered to Prince Albert of Monaco. This token of friendship is extended to the Principality on behalf of the residents of Clydebank and West Dunbartonshire.

“We hope this year’s event will be a huge success and I know everyone in Clydebank and beyond is getting very excited as the start date gets closer and closer. I’d encourage as many people as possible to come down to Clydebank and enjoy this fantastic historic event with us.”

Visitors by car should use the car parking within the shopping area (follow event roadsigns). Visitors by train should disembark at Clydebank station and follow event signposts. Please be advised that vehicle access to event area will be by permit only.