Scotland’s first world rally champion Louise Aitken-Walker will lead the 49 international competitors off from Glasgow this Thursday (27TH) for the Monte Carlo classic rally. The 1990 Ladies World Rally Champion, twice winner of the coveted ‘Coup de Dames’ in the modern version of the rally, has been announced as the course car celebrity. She will drive a beautiful works replica Austin Healey 3000 off the start ramp outside Blythswood Square Hotel at 6.30pm, kick-starting the centenary celebrations.
The return of the Monte Carlo classic rally to the city after an absence of 38 years has captured global attention and will net Glasgow in excess of £1 million.
Crews from Japan, Canada, USA and Europe make up a star-studded list of competitors and Blythswood Square will be at a standstill for event, with Traffic Management orders in place.
Borderer Aitken-Walker, one of the first inductees to Scottish Sport’s Hall of Fame, was at Blythswood Square yesterday (Monday) to test drive her classic car. She believes the event, expected to attract almost 1000 people to Blythswood Square, is a huge coup for Scotland and will inspire a new generation of youngsters.
“This honour means a lot to me,” she said. “The last time the Monte was in Glasgow was 1973 and I was too young to remember it. Little did I know that, ten years later, I would be starting as a driver in the Monte Carlo rally.
“It is great to be playing a small part in the history of this world famous rally again, in its centenary year.
“I have been very lucky to have been inspired by a lot of people in what I have done and having the Monte Carlo classic rally back here will inspire young people in the same way. There is a tremendous buzz and it will be great to see Blythswood Square filled with spectators and glamorous classic cars.”
Organisers will this week put the finishing touches to plans as the competitors fly in from all over the world from Tuesday onwards. Glasgow Lord Provost Bob Winter is to host a Civic Reception at the City Chambers for the entrants and will flag off the first cars on their 2000km trek to Monte Carlo.
The journey will take the pre-1974 cars almost two days to reach the Principality of Monaco and the beautiful Quai Albert.
“The countdown has begun and there is great excitement now,” said Douglas Anderson of the Glasgow Start Committee. “It has taken such a journey just to get this far but Scotland now has the Monte feeling back.”
– Credit: www.rallybuzz.com.