Scots aim for Monte successposted in MSPOR28 | 01 | 2012
THE SCOTTISH LEG of the Monte Carlo Classic Rally will roar into action tomorrow in the shadow of the famous A-listed Titan Crane at Clydebank.
And one of the teams hoping for success when the cars reach the south of France next Saturday is Derek Palmer's Lesmahagow-based Speed Scotland crew.
The team, which will again return to the famous Salt Flats in Bonneville in August bidding to break the 1000cc World Land Speed Record, is tackling the 2000-mile journey in a 1979 Porsche 924 Turbo.
"It's certainly something of a change for us," Palmer (pictured left(, who is taking a break from preparing the Utah-bound 1000cc Streamliner, nicknamed 'Flower of Scotland', said today.
"While the Flower of Scotland is built for 300mph and ultra-fast, short one-mile runs, we've rebuilt the Porsche with a few more creature comforts.
"Our driver Rick Pearson — who also drives the Streamliner — will be in the Porsche for the best part of five days without a break with co-driver Stuart Pringle from the BRDC (British Racing Drivers' Club), so it has to be ultra-reliable and comfortable.
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"And while we're used to battling with 100-degree heat in Utah, for the next few days we'll be fighting cold and ice as we drive over the snow-capped French Alps.
“Like breaking records, the Monte Carlo Classic rally is about boyhood dreams. I remember seeing the cars going off with my dad when I was young and wishing I would, one day, take part.
"Now that is happening. It is a big year for us, but what we are doing with the land speed attempt and also with the Monte is about celebrating Scotland. We have so much to offer in this country.”
Around 100 glamorous classic cars will leave the north bank of the Clyde heading for Monte Carlo.
Clydebank joins Barcelona, Oslo, Turin, Reims and Warsaw as one of the 2012 official starting locations for the rally, one of the most famous motorsport events in the world.
Under the rules, classic cars from the period 1955 to 1980 set out for Monte Carlo from start points all over Europe which are roughly equidistant from the finish line.
It's expected the number of spectators attending the start will exceed the 6000 who watched the 2011 start in Glasgow. Last year's event netted over £1 million for the Scottish economy.
A special period Monte Carlo Show will be located on the site of the former John Brown shipyard and Monte cars will leave the start ramp in front of the £33 million Clydebank College campus. The start also marks Clydebank's celebrations of 125 years as a Burgh.
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And MSP Shona Robison, the Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, is in no doubt the event will bring a major boost to Scotland.
“The rally brings a bit of sparkle at a time when the major events scene in Scotland is in a lull before Spring and Summer," she said. "People are really drawn to the nostalgia and it is great that Scotland is a part of it.
“It will bring a lot of benefit for the Clydebank economy and a lot of symbolism, too. I find it really pleasing that the benefit is being spread around Scotland.
“Having international visitors and competitors coming here helps in terms of the money spent, but also in terms of the promotion of the country.
"The images are shown internationally and that has a huge value in terms of bringing people back here to visit and do business.”
This year’s rally start is a partnership between the Scottish Monte Start Committee and West Dunbartonshire Council, who secured the hosting rights from Automobile Club de Monaco, the French organisers.
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Jim McGill