Bangers heading down to Monaco

IF YOU spot a collection of old bangers heading down through France today and this weekend – it is probably the “Monte-Carlo or Bust” rally.

The annual British organised event starts near the Channel ports before heading to Monaco and today it has set off from Saint-Quentin, Picardy on its first leg.

The drivers – whose cars must all have been bought for the race and cost no more than £300 – are heading for Dijon today, then Dijon to Turin tomorrow and Turin to Monaco on Sunday. At the end of the race they can either have the car scrapped, fly home – or drive it back.

One of the teams, “the Mad Molars” is raising money for renovations at the Glasgow Dental School and are driving a 1977 Leyland Princess. They are also bringing a special bottle of malt whisky for Prince Albert of Monaco, from Jura Distillery, which the prince visited last year.

He will be meeting them at 11.30 at the Place du Palais to accept the bottle of ‘Diurachs’ Own’ single malt, signed by distillery manager Willie Cochrane.

The Monte Carlo Whisky Society, which organised Prince Albert’s visit to Jura Distillery, will also be at the finish and is opening its tasting room at 1 rue Emile de Loth in Monaco.

A spokesman said they will be selling drams of whisky, with all the money going towards the Mad Molars campaign.

More information on the route and race can be found here: Monte-Carlo or Bust