Monte Carlo Rally starts in Chester

Nov 17 2011 by Barry Ellams, Chester Chronicle

CAR PARTS supplier CES UK have sponsored the CES International Winter Challenge Classic Car Rally and the start is under the Eastgate Clock.

For the lucky competitors the finish line is Monte Carlo and so the two cities will be linked by the trail of some 80 classic cars setting off across Europe from Chester on November 20.

Chairman of CES UK, Howard Warren, who is himself taking part in the event in Britain’s first ever right-hand drive Porsche 911 from 1965, is delighted that the event is coming to Chester and looking forward to showing off the city over the weekend November 19-20 to his fellow competitors.

“When we knew we had the opportunity to become the start venue for the race we simply had to make that happen and CES are delighted to be able to bring these brilliant cars and their drivers to Chester.

“It promises to be a great weekend of fun and I know the people of Chester will really enjoy seeing these perfectly turned out cars in the streets of Chester”.

The Classic Weekend starts on November 19 at 1pm with the cars lining up in Bridget Street and Eastgate St, so that the people of Chester can see and hear these wonderful machines. Bridge Street

will come alive with colour as a specially built stage will feature fashion shows highlighting clothing influenced by the eras of the classic period and interviews with some of the drivers.

Sunday morning from 9am sees the rally start, with the Lord Mayor waving off the drivers with Chester Cathedral providing a blessing of safety for the rally and presenting the lead car with a scroll to be delivered to the chaplain of Monte Carlo.