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26 January 2013 Last updated at 00:40 Share this pageEmailPrint
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Monte Carlo Classic Rally prepares for Glasgow start
The Monte Carlo Classic Rally 2013 will start at the People's Palace in Glasgow
Continue reading the main story
Related Stories
Monte Carlo rally back in Glasgow
Scots start for Monte Carlo rally
Glasgow start for rally drivers
About 100 classic cars are preparing to set off from Glasgow at the start of the Monte Carlo Classic Rally.
The day's events will begin with a display of cars in Buchanan Street on Saturday morning.
Entertainment will be laid on from 13:00 at the The People's Palace, at Glasgow Green, before the cars leave the start ramp from 14:00.
The cars will pass through Kilmarnock and Dumfries before heading to Monte Carlo via Dover.
Glasgow is one of four host cities for the 2013 rally, along with Barcelona, Reims and Copenhagen.
'Spiritual home'
More than 9,000 spectators watched the centenary rally in 2011 leave from Glasgow's Blythswood Square.
Continue reading the main story
“
Start Quote
It is possible we could break the record for the highest UK attendance for any Monte Carlo Classic Rally start”
Douglas Anderson
Glasgow Start Committee
Up to 12,000 people are expected for this year's event, which organisers said could generate about £1m for the city's economy.
Glasgow previously served as a starting venue for racers from 1949 until 1973.
Scott Taylor, chief executive of Glasgow City Council's marketing bureau, said: "As a city famous for hosting the start of the Monte Carlo Rally in the 1950s and 60s, I'm delighted that this world famous event has once again returned to its spiritual home in Glasgow.
"It is great to see the hundreds of international visitors and competitors in the city for the occasion, which generates significant benefits for Glasgow's economy and supports our city's reputation for hosting major international events."
Crews from Australia, the Czech Republic, Malta and France will join the UK starters in Glasgow.
Of the 100 classic cars in the city, 40 will travel the 2,000km to Monte Carlo in Monaco - a journey expected to take about two days.
The 60 others will compete in set stages of the rally in support events.
Preparations complete
Douglas Anderson, of the Glasgow Start Committee, said: "The preparations are complete. Now it's about the public and the drivers enjoying themselves.
"If the weather is kind, it is possible we could break the record for the highest UK attendance for any Monte Carlo Classic Rally start. That would be a remarkable achievement."
The rally was created by Prince Albert I of Monaco in 1911 and initially featured 23 cars starting from six different European cities.
Only 16 completed it, with Henri Rougier winning in a Turcat-Mery.
171
ShareFacebookTwitter
Monte Carlo Classic Rally prepares for Glasgow start
The Monte Carlo Classic Rally 2013 will start at the People's Palace in Glasgow
Continue reading the main story
Related Stories
Monte Carlo rally back in Glasgow
Scots start for Monte Carlo rally
Glasgow start for rally drivers
About 100 classic cars are preparing to set off from Glasgow at the start of the Monte Carlo Classic Rally.
The day's events will begin with a display of cars in Buchanan Street on Saturday morning.
Entertainment will be laid on from 13:00 at the The People's Palace, at Glasgow Green, before the cars leave the start ramp from 14:00.
The cars will pass through Kilmarnock and Dumfries before heading to Monte Carlo via Dover.
Glasgow is one of four host cities for the 2013 rally, along with Barcelona, Reims and Copenhagen.
'Spiritual home'
More than 9,000 spectators watched the centenary rally in 2011 leave from Glasgow's Blythswood Square.
Continue reading the main story
“
Start Quote
It is possible we could break the record for the highest UK attendance for any Monte Carlo Classic Rally start”
Douglas Anderson
Glasgow Start Committee
Up to 12,000 people are expected for this year's event, which organisers said could generate about £1m for the city's economy.
Glasgow previously served as a starting venue for racers from 1949 until 1973.
Scott Taylor, chief executive of Glasgow City Council's marketing bureau, said: "As a city famous for hosting the start of the Monte Carlo Rally in the 1950s and 60s, I'm delighted that this world famous event has once again returned to its spiritual home in Glasgow.
"It is great to see the hundreds of international visitors and competitors in the city for the occasion, which generates significant benefits for Glasgow's economy and supports our city's reputation for hosting major international events."
Crews from Australia, the Czech Republic, Malta and France will join the UK starters in Glasgow.
Of the 100 classic cars in the city, 40 will travel the 2,000km to Monte Carlo in Monaco - a journey expected to take about two days.
The 60 others will compete in set stages of the rally in support events.
Preparations complete
Douglas Anderson, of the Glasgow Start Committee, said: "The preparations are complete. Now it's about the public and the drivers enjoying themselves.
"If the weather is kind, it is possible we could break the record for the highest UK attendance for any Monte Carlo Classic Rally start. That would be a remarkable achievement."
The rally was created by Prince Albert I of Monaco in 1911 and initially featured 23 cars starting from six different European cities.
Only 16 completed it, with Henri Rougier winning in a Turcat-Mery.
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