ONE OF the world’s biggest motorsport events will return to Scotland this month.
The Monte Carlo Classic Rally will begin in Glasgow on January 26 thanks to the efforts of two Tayside men.
Douglas Anderson and George Donaldson have been instrumental in organising what is expected to be a record-breaking event.
Around 12,000 spectators are expected at the start as 100 cars, dating from the 1920s to the 1980s, set off on their 2,000-kilometre journey to Monte Carlo.
Glasgow was a starting venue between 1949 and 1973, with Douglas, a retired philosophy lecturer and car enthusiast from Broughty Ferry, saying it was a “huge part” of city life.
“Many of us remember watching the cars leaving Blythswood Square,” he said.
“When we brought the rally back in 2011 after a 38-year absence, the response was overwhelming and we started looking at a venue to accommodate more spectators.
“We believe the venue change and other side-shows could mean it will attract the biggest crowd of any UK start since the rally’s birth in 1911.”
Douglas, who is also spokesman for the organising committee, made all this possible by contacting an old friend.
George Donaldson, of Alyth, is a well-known name in the world of rallying and he used his contacts to bring the event home to Scotland.
He said: “I was contacted by Douglas and he told me they were trying to get the Monte Carlo rally start back here, but hadn’t managed to get a response from the organisers.
“Fortunately, I know them all really well and count them as close friends, so I had a word with them.
“As soon as they knew I was involved, they agreed to take the start to Glasgow.”
The 54-year-old, a technical operational manager for Subaru, has extensive experience of working on rallying events and even enjoyed a spell as a team manager for Toyota.