Scotland’s Monte
James and Ian Morrison won the first Great North Winter Challenge, fittingly in a Mini Cooper. Second place, and class winner of the Historic cars was also a Mini, this time driven by Roddy Main and navigated by Dave Spence.

Running not only as the first event in the CCHMSC 10th anniversary calendar, but also for the first time from 18 to 20th January; the crews and cars were greeted to the "Full Monte" of Scottish weather.

Starting at the Patio Hotel on Aberdeen's Beach Boulevard, the cars were flagged away by City Council leader Kate Dean from 7.00pm. The 1960 Renault Dauphine of Barry Thomson and Colin Wilkinson was first off, having experienced a puncture before the start grid. No doubt the crew were looking forward to re-living memories of Renaults 1958 Monte Carlo win with a Dauphine.

All the crews successfully made it over the Cockbridge to Tomintoul road, infamous for its deep snow drifts, to rest in Inverness.

Saturday was the main tour event over to Applecross, where most of the crews experienced snow on the top of the Pass of Cattle, which rises to 2053ft in height from sea level in about five miles, and is the most spectacular pass in Scotland. It also provides some of the most challenging driving in the country, and can make the older cars boil a bit. But this is Scotland and I can tell you it was hovering around zero degrees at the top. Unfortunately the Cortina of Charlie Donaldson and Ian Larkman broke a valve spring before the climb. Being a resourceful lot in the north they located a spare and replaced it in time to pick up the night section of the rally, without removing the cylinder head, .

The "Jacobite Rally" night section consisted of a 50 mile navigational run, organised by Highland Car Club which again exposed crews to some untreated icy roads around Inverness. Dave Spence guided the mini of Roddy Main to the only "clean sheet" of our group.

Sunshine welcomed the crews on Sunday for the trip to Aviemore and a series of 10 tests, some taken from original Monte Carlo layouts, including the acceleration and braking tests. Dave Barnett and Hazel Scott, last seen on the Classic Autosports Ecosse Rally once again treated their big Volvo 850 to a thrashing, burning down that new set of winter tyres to the delight of the audience. Arthur Kaye and Geoff Awde from Preston threw their pristine little MG Midget round the cones, and picked up the Concours d'Elegance award for their efforts. Douglas Shanks and Duncan Gordon enjoyed themselves in their Vauxhall Corsa, giving the Barnett Volvo a run for its money. Tom and Marianne Dromgoole, normally seen in their MGA, brought their 4*4 Disco, which also helped as a rescue car, though never had to fulfil that role.

Local HCC members Norman Macfarlane and Matthew Johnstone entertained the spectators with his Mk1 Escort, but the his superb sliding and pirouetting failed to beat of fellow club member Richard Bartniczek and Donald Johnstone in their Peugeot 106.

The meal and prizes were presented at the MacDonald Resort