Michelin to give away free tyres

French tyre giant Michelin will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Monte Carlo Rally by giving away 100 free racing tyres to the 25 highest-placed amateur competitors at the end of the event. Scheduled to take place from 18 to 22 January 2011, the rally - round one of the IRC once more next year - will begin in Valence, France and finish in the famous harbour of Monte Carlo, taking in iconic stages such as the Col du Turini.

The Monte Carlo Rally first ran in 1911, making it the oldest and most prestigious rally in the history of the sport, and to underline this momentous occasion, the organisers are also offering free entries to 100 selected competitors including amateurs, who have traditionally formed the backbone of the event.

Michelin’s own involvement in motorsport dates back to 1895, when the French company first competed in the Bordeaux to Paris road race.