Ten crews braved the winter weather to reach John O' Groats for the start of the John O' Groats Historique event on Sunday 8th December. This famous landmark was the start of Monte Carlo rallies during the early days of the 20th century up to the late thirties, when the outbreak of war stopped the event..

A selection of routes were used with all heading south to Inveness then on to Glasgow, sometimes directly or via Aberdeen. From Glasgow the route would head to Harrogate or Doncaster then London and finally Folkestone to be ferried across to Boulogne on the French coast. This event recreated the section from John O' Groats to Glasgow taking in some of the sections covered by the pioneers of these early days.

Clerk of the course Chris Noble ventured out with his 1926 Bentley 4.5 litre Le Mans style open tourer. With no weather protection this was going to be a challenge of the first degree. After the overnight the plugs needed warming up to enable the magnificent engine to fire up into life.

Other starters turned out in more modern machinery, such as the 1967 Porsche 912 of Derek and Stan Reynolds. Joe Norman brought out his 1964 Mini Cooper S, emulating the Paddy Hopkirk win of the Monte in that same year, with Terry Clark playing the part of Henry Liddon. Jim and Norma Watson crewed a 1977 MGB, while John Roberts teamed up with Oliver Tomlins in a 1972 Fiat 124 Coupé. Capri enthusiast and veteran of last years tour to Monaco Pete Gibson brought his 1985 Capri Laser for a blast down the road, with Jim Cooper reading the route. Dave and Lorraine Carstairs sat in luxury in their 1983 Opel Monza, whilst Alan Duncan brought one of his Toyota Celica's, the 1974 variant, with Catherine Laszok trying to keep him pointing in the right direction! Alan provided a great photo record of the event which you can see via the link at the end of this story. Triumph enthusiasts were not dissappointed as Fred Douglas and Stuart Johnston drove all the way from Glasgow to take part in their 1976 Triumph 2500. 

Some chose to start from Inverness, saving the drive to John O' Groats only to drive back again. These included the 1971 MGB/GT crew of Andrew Thomlinson and Darren McGuiness, who joined the starters. The other start venue was Perth and Calum Maxwell turned out his 1973 Mercedes SL, all 4.5 litres to join the event, with Victoria Cockburn keeping the driver straight..     .    

Everyone gathered in a rain swept Dunblane where Tom Niven regrouped the crews after allowing them to enjoy some refreshments. The final leg went direct to Glasgow and the destination at Blythswood Square, start of many Monte Carlo's  from the fifties, where a warm welcome awaited, together with a few members arriving to join the high Tea at the end of this years calendar of events.

Jim Wilson's Standard 10 Course Car for Monte Historique Start in January

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Updated 15 December 2013
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