Jardine among scores of Monte-Carlo amateurs

A host of amateur crews will contest the centenary edition of Rallye Monte-Carlo next week. Amateur drivers and co-drivers have traditionally shaped the history of the legendary event, which first
ran in 1911 and has opened the Intercontinental Rally Challenge for the last two seasons.

British television commentator Tony Jardine was one of the first amateur drivers to submit his entry for next week’s rally. Although Jardine has competed on a number of national and
international events in the past, he will be a Monte-Carlo rookie when the rally takes place from 18-22 January.

Despite conceding the event will be the most difficult rally he has tackled to date, Jardine is relishing the prospect of taking part in his IRC 2WD Cup M-Sport Ford Fiesta R2.

“I’m under no illusions that it’s going to be anything but a massive challenge particularly as I’ve also got my day job to think about in the build-up to the event”, said Jardine, who will be co-driven by newspaper journalist Byron Young. “I’ve always watched the event on television and
I’ve always wanted to have a go myself. It was special just to get an entry for the 100th anniversary of the event and to get a finish would mean everything.”