Anniversary Monte 100 Classique: The Yorkshire petrolheads celebrating 100 years of epic drive to Monte Carlo
In 1926, a group of intrepid adventurers gathered at a windswept John O' Groats at the northern tip of mainland Scotland.
Their mission – to drive 1,500 miles over the worst of winter and head for Monte Carlo, in the south of France, to establish what has become one of the world's famous motorsport events.
Next year, their modern counterparts – including a number from Yorkshire – will replicate their achievement in a range of cars, some of which date back decades.
They will be marking the 100th anniversary of the start of the Monte Carlo Rally from John O'Groats and will follow in the tracks of the original drivers, taking in many of the famous passes in the French Alps, on the drive to Monaco.
The goal is simply to reach Monte Carlo in time for a black tie dinner.
The Anniversary Monte 100 Classique is non-competitive and is open to cars from 1924 to 1939 and 1948 to 1986.
The Rallye Monte Carlo Historique marks the 28th running of its event and will feature vehicles that participated in the rally from its inception until January 1986 as well as a range of more competitive challenges.
The cars will leave from the world famous signpost at John O’Groats on the morning of January 29 and are set to arrive in Monaco on February 4. There is no overnight driving involved.
Stirling is hosting a 'Monte Fest' at Stirling Castle with entertainment, food and an opportunity to see the cars going over the Monte ramp.
The following day the cars make their way through the Scottish Borders and the North of England to York and then on to Hull for the overnight ferry to Rotterdam.
After disembarking from the ferry, they will drive to Reims in France where they will join other competitors starting the rally from the city.
Other crews will be starting from Bad Homburg in Germany and Turin in Italy.
One of the participants is businessman Rudy Micallef, originally from Malta but now running Automotive Finesse car body shop in Doncaster.
He has a collection of cars and will be taking part in his 1975 Alfa Romeo GT 1600.
“It is my first time,” he said. “I have done a lot of other events such as Goodwood and Salon Prive but someone said I should try this so I am.”
Scarborough man Mike Kent, who ran a commercial vehicle company before retiring, will take part with his wife Shelagh in a 1973 MGB GT.
He said: “I am looking forward to it. It will be an enjoyable trip.”
Former police officer John Clayton of York will take part in a 1976 Ford Escort RS2000 which is currently having a rebuild.
“It’s a bit of a Meccano set at the moment but it will be ready. We are on schedule,” he added.