Classic car Convoy Leaves for Monaco

Jan 31 2012

A classic car convoy has departed from Clydebank on a non-stop journey of 2,000 miles that will eventually take them to Monaco.  The journey forms part of the 2012 Monte Carlo Classic Rally.  Included in the line-up are Porsches, Triumphs and Lancias.  They took off from the start ramp at Clydebank College.  The first of them will arrive in Monte Carlo after about 30 hours.

Clydebank is, of course, famous for its shipyard.  Around 5,000 people arrived to wave the teams goodbye as they set off for Monte Carlo.  The town hosted the beginning of the rally along with other cities such as Turin, Barcelona, Reims, Oslo and Warsaw – all situated at roughly the same distance from Monte Carlo.

For the first time in 39 years Scotland will be represented by the Ecurie Ecosse team, consisting of seven cars.  They hope to walk away with the team prize in the rally for the best combined time.

The first member of the team to set off was Andrew McAlpine in his Lancia Fulvia.  The 51-year-old McAlpine is the director of the McAlpine building company.  In his youth he worked at the John Brown shipyard and he was, therefore, excited to be back for the rally.

He told journalists "Coming back here is really quite emotional for me.  One hundred and thirty years ago, my great, great grandfather built the Singer sewing machine factory so my family have a lot of connections to the area."

Given their age, it is unlikely that there is an outstanding car loan on any of these vehicles!

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