Monte Carlo Historique - Latest News
IRDC Committee member and Retro-Speed editor in chief Peter Baker, who has been servicing for the Sunbeam Ti #226 of Clive Berry and Rupert Barker reported that during the first full day of the rally yesterday the Sunbeam had been involved in a road traffic accident and although the crew were unhurt, they were out of the rally.
Reports coming in from the Alps this morning paint a very snowy picture on the infamous Col de Turini where snow has been falling all night! Among other news emerging from the IRDC contingent currently in the Alps Maritime - David Mustarde and the ever-green Monte Carlo regular Willie Cave had drama on their way to scrutineering with a holed radiator which was brazed up by a friendly French fabrication shop however, their troubles didn't end there and their charismatic Alfa Romeo was seen jacked up in scrutineering while the brakes received attention!
Also having palpitations on the way to see the scrutineers was Jon and Christine Miles, who'd arrived from Kent just in time after fearing they'd have to withdraw from the event due to business commitments. IRDC Chairman Shaun Martin who was in the thick of the action in Reims overseeing the IRDC crews, coincidentally met a couple of Scottish drivers who he'd not seen since competing on the snowbound NETWORK Q RAC Rally of 1993 when crews were stranded in Warcop Forest and took turns to push each other up the hill before the rally regrouped in Gateshead - it's a small world!
At the grand civic reception before the Reims start, Willy Cave received a splendid puter tankard and his lifetime membership of the IRDC from Shaun Martin. Willy turns 90-years-old on Sunday and did his first Monte-Carlo Rally in 1955. Willy is an inspiration to us all and the embodiment that the sport stands for. Congratulations Willie!
28th January, 2017