You don't need one of those, Steve, you've got me!

Do you glow red in the dark then, Malcolm?

Thanks, Steve.

John

Location: North Yorkshire

Yes, if ever I do the Monte Carlo Historique I must remember not to take that particular pair of gloves!

After some well needed sleep Andrew and Derek left Calais around 12:30 today and are currently just north of Arras.

I have no update on the oil leak but they were not the only ones working on their car this morning....

They should be able to make reasonable progress today because the run down to Langres is fairly flat and the Nationale road network is reasonably quiet apart from the N44 around Reims which carries a fair amount of HGV traffic. When I drove the RP down here in 2001 I followed a similar route until I got to Vitry le François. We then had to take a detour to Troyes because all the hotels were full and the only one we could find with space was the Campanile in Troyes. That was an interesting run. It took about an hour to get there by which time night had fallen. A strange road in pitch black in an A7 with 6v lights was "interesting".

I presume they've got fuel stops pre-planned because there's not much available in the Plaine de Champagne region - place is just rolling fields for mile after mile after mile.

Is there anyone with them running back-up?

Location: Gard, France 30960. Used to be Languedoc-Roussillon but now it's Occitanie

They have a chase car - with some spares and fuel in.

They are currently on the A28 just north of Reims....



Headlamp has been refocused accordingly

Thanks for the updates Ruairidh, it's fascinating stuff and I'm sure all our thoughts are with them.
Crack on chaps!

Location: Ripon

Good Lord - that route looks suspiciously like the route we took to Monte Carlo in 1972 (with some variation). Not quite so quickly, of course

And the weather was slightly warmer...

Location: Cambridge

They are now near Troyes and we estimate this is just under 1/3 of the way down through his journey in France.

Has that coffee cup frozen to the scuttle? It was there at Dover...

Location: Ripon

They have reached Langres.

50 or so miles south of Dijon....

Theres a yellow narrow gauge railway running from Digne to Nice if they're really tired.

Location: Bristol

They are near Lyon.

Bourgoin Jallieu at 03:45.

We lost them on phone tracking for a few hours there due to poor signal.

They are back on line and have reached Digne les Bains. This is the final leg of the route links above.

Current location...

30 miles to go!!!

Outskirts of Nice.

With 4 miles to go they have had to stop for fuel!!

Two miles away from the finish!!

Andrew Goodfellow and Derek Coghill have gone and bloody well done it!!! Glasgow - Monte Carlo, 1400 miles in 3 days - driving an 1930 Austin Seven!!!!! Extraordinary!

Congratulations to everyone involved especially the DRIVERS.

Location: Hertfordshire

Great Stuff!

Location: Wales

What a fabulous achievement, especially after the saga with the flywheel and clutch shortly after the start.
As far as I know this is the only time an Austin Seven Ulster has taken part in the Monte, whether in period or in the modern classic event.
Congratulations to the crew and all concerned, I imagine the Austin will be the centre of attention in Monaco, ironic when you think there are more flashy supercars per square mile than anywhere else on earth.
Thank you also to young Mr Dunford for his sterling assistance and keeping us Forum members up to date with a running commentary.

They appear to be the only car entered without a roof!

Location: As far east in Kent as you can get

My Ghast is Flabbered.
What an amazing achievement of enthusiasm and perseverance.

Location: Bristol

Brilliant achievement! Congrats to all.

And thanks for keeping us posted Ruairidh.

Location: North Herts

This short film taken by Andrew's wife Judy (Derek's sister) illustrates just how demanding the drive has been for the two of them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rO2YaIKGFaQ&feature=youtu.be

Andrew and his daughter will drive the car up in to Switzerland on Monday and leave it at his sister's home there. Later in the year he will fly back down and then drive the car home to Dundee.

If anyone can suggest a suitable route to Verbier (over passes that are actually open) we would welcome any local knowledge you may have before they leave in two days.

The journey is not quite over yet!

Well done to all concerned. I'm seriously impressed!

Location: Ripon

At this time of the year the weather is very unpredictable and I would recommend sticking to the motorway network in order to be sure of getting there. Some passes if open, will only allow vehicles equipped with chains to pass.

Excellent result for the guys. A well deserved kip is probably now the order of the day.

I take it they're not going to do the special stages as they continue tomorrow until the 31st?

Location: Gard, France 30960. Used to be Languedoc-Roussillon but now it's Occitanie

Much Respect, saw you off in Paisley and followed you all the way. Well done to both of you and of course your superb car.

Charlie

Location: Glasgow

Very, very well done. Fantastic achievement. I know how elated but knackered the crew of the Riley 9 were last year so I've an idea how the Ulster crew must be feeling. Worth it though isn't it....?

Steve

Location: North Yorkshire

Splendid effort, congratulations to all concerned.

Stuart

It's only when you do a long run like this in an A7 that you realise:

a) how big a country France is
b) how tiring driving an A7 long distance can be
c) how really magnificent they are despite their age.

OK it's nothing like cruising up the autoroute in a big Merc with cruise control, climate and all the other modern toys available these days, but to be able (OK with a bit of preparation) jump into an 85+ year old car and drive it 1500 (almost) trouble free miles is a testament to the engineering of Stanley Edge's design.

Not much power, not much home comforts, but simple, reliable and effective.

I might even have a go myself next year in the RP. Anyone interested?
(someone talk me out of it please!)

Location: Gard, France 30960. Used to be Languedoc-Roussillon but now it's Occitanie

Parking on Monte Carlo tonight - all hard tops, except one!

Thanks R for your running reports and what a marvellous achievement for all concerned. I get a numb backside and severe windburn ( On face) after 50 miles in my open A7 this time of year. Once in a lifetime or same next year ?
Dave.

Location: Sheffield

These little cars never fail to impress, with the help of some excellent preparation.

Well done to all involved - you've represented the Austin movement admirably.

Enjoy the celebration, rest and recovery.

Location: Towcester

FANTASTIC !!!
Stephen

All my admiration to those fellows!
Renaud

Location: Very Unsunny Brittany

After driving a 1929 Austin Seven Standard Sports for quite short trips I dips me lid to the intrepid pilots !

Hope they get suitable recognition !!

Cheers, Tony.

Location: Melbourne. Victoria, Australia.

Congratulations to Andrew and Derek and thanks to commentator Ruairidh! In the tradition of A7 epics...
Alastair

Location: Port Isaac

I hope there will be an article on this tale of derring-do in one of our magazines...

Location: Ripon

Excellent news, many congratulations. Only goes to prove "You can do it in an Austin 7" Well done!

Location: in the warm