The 2026 Monte Carlo Classique/Historic Rallywill soon be starting…
Members of Highland Car Club gathered at Inverness Town House as a taster for the Monte Carlo Classique/Historique Rally which will be starting from the iconic John O’Groats signpost on January 29th 2026.
The rally will mark the centenary of the John O’ Groats start when a group of intrepid adventurers left the windswept northern tip of mainland Scotland to drive 1500 miles to Monte Carlo in the south of France to establish what has become one of the world’s iconic motorsport events.
A century on, their modern counterparts will replicate their achievement in a range of cars, some of which date back to the early years.
The event has been run several times in recent years with a variety of Scottish starts including Paisley, Glasgow and Clydebank but for this year’s major milestone in the history of the event there’s a welcome return to the traditional John O’Groats start.
The participants’ first stop on the marathon journey will be in Inverness when the Highland capital will be the first of a series of passage controls along the route.
As she met rally officials and some of the cars, Provost of Inverness and Area, Cllr Glynis Campbell Sinclair said: “I am delighted to welcome participants of the UK leg of the 2026 Monte Carlo Classic Rally which will start in John O’ Groats and pass through Inverness. The spectacularly renovated Town House is a fitting location to mark the Highland leg of the Monte Carlo Classic Rally. Let’s hope that this prestigious rally becomes a regular feature especially noting that the City of Inverness is the start and finish of the North Coast 500’.”
Supporting the event, members of the Highland Car Club displayed some of their collection of classic cars outside the Town House including three of a type which have competed in the rally in the 1950s, 60s and 70s:
1950s Sunbeam Talbot:
1960s Mini Cooper:
1970s Hillman Avenger:
For more information:
Douglas Anderson, event co-ordinator 01382 731755 dglanderson1@yahoo.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057040406909
Picture shows Provost of Inverness Glynis Campbell Sinclair and Monte Rally co-ordinator Douglas Anderson.