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On Sunday 14th August 2005, the inaugural Broughtons Grand Tour began at 9.00am with car number one crossing the start line at Stoke Park Club in Buckinghamshire. And so began five days of touring through some of the most beautiful scenery in France before reaching the final destination of the Hôtel de Paris, Monte Carlo.
An early start was the order of the day and whilst we enjoyed breakfast, the cars were prepared with 'LONDON – MONTE CARLO' rally stickers and checked for the five days ahead. Then 32 cars, two 4x4s and one technical support vehicle set off in convoy for Eurotunnel. Going through the tunnel was quick and efficient and within half an hour we had arrived in Calais. We drove towards Rouen and stopped off at an old disused railway station and stock yard to solve our first clue: 'I am a trailer, it's black and white, what colour am I?'. After puzzling for 20 minutes or so, we continued on into the afternoon and arrived just south west of Paris, after a long day, at the stunning Chateau d'Esclimont near Chartres. After checking in, we all met for a Mumm Champagne reception in a setting overlooking the beautiful gardens. We sat down for a fabulous six course dinner and as we got to know our fellow competitors, reflected on our first day of the GT:05.
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