A message from our MD, David Power.
Wednesday 25th January sees the start of my next adventure.
The Monte Carlo Rally Historique.
The start ramp in Glasgow will be a momentous occasion for me.
My Grandfather competed in the 1953 event, also starting in Glasgow. When we applied to enter the rally, the Automobile Club de Monaco were aware of this and have allocated me his start number, 188.
As long as I can remember I have treasured his start plate and now I will get to take that plate on its second attempt at the rally. Unfortunately Grandad’s Austin Sheerline (surely the world’s most unsuitable rally car) never made the finish, having broken its rear axle.
We are doing the event in a 1974 Fiat 127 Abarth, one wheel drive (no limited slip diff here), 903cc with 44.4bhp.
The Monte Carlo Rally dates back to 1911 where it was devised as test of man and machine. It is no different today.
After starting in Glasgow, we head to Calais where we start a non-stop 30 hour 1300km complex navigation drive, simply to get to the start of the competitive stages in the frozen Alps north of Monaco. If the car or drivers are not broken by then, we head into some of the most famous Alpine passes.
We will be posting updates on the Powerflex Facebook page, so please follow and share in the adventure.
David Power
PS, Interesting fact is that the 1953 Monte Carlo was won by Maus Gatsonides in a Ford Zephur, who later became famous for inventing the Gatso speed camera
