Bid to bring rally back to Scotland

Jan 28 2013

The man who brought the Monte Carlo Classic Rally to Scotland wants the event to return in 2014.

Douglas Anderson, who persuaded French organisers to choose Glasgow as a host city in 2011 and 2013, has been deciding about an application for next year.

He said after seeing a record 15,000 spectators cheering 100 classic cars over the start ramp at the People's Palace on Saturday, it is increasingly likely he will make the request soon.

Speaking before leaving for Monte Carlo in his light blue Triumph Vitesse, Mr Anderson, chief organiser of the event, said: "Once again, the Mont Carlo Classic Rally has been a runaway success in Glasgow. I am really quite speechless at the crowds we've had, both at the People's Palace and the static display at Buchanan Street.

"We will try to bring the rally back in 2014 and make it even better again. The eyes of the world will be on Glasgow next year for the Commonwealth Games so the timing and the mood within the city would be right. The centenary event in 2011 was special but we couldn't have imagined the rally would grow the way it has. We will be speaking with officials in Monaco when we arrive next week."

A spokesman for the Monte Carlo Classic Rally in Monaco said: "Obviously this would be a decision of the whole rally committee but certainly we have been happy with the organisation from Glasgow and the co-operation we have received.

"We look forward to seeing the competitors from Glasgow arrive this week and we hope they reach Monte Carlo safely, and in the spirit of the rally."

Organisers said around 15,000 people gathered to watch the convoy of classic cars, including Lancias, Triumphs and Porsches, leave Glasgow on Saturday afternoon on the non-stop 2,000-mile rally to Monaco. The 40 cars going all the way to Monte Carlo are expected to arrive next week after driving from Glasgow to a ferry at Dover and then heading south over the French Alps, if all goes to plan.

Glasgow was among four host cities of the event, along with Barcelona, Copenhagen and Reims.

Teams leaving from the city included entries from Australia, Malta, the Czech Republic and France. The rally was created by Prince Albert I 102 years ago in an attempt to bring wealthy car owners to the famous casinos of the French Riviera. The first race was won by Frenchman Henri Rougier in a 25 horse power Turcat-Mery.