It's Monte Carlo or bust for Nick, Iain and Arfur.

Arfur is a lovingly-restored 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint which Nick Smith and Iain Tinnen have entered in the Monte Carlo Challenge next month.

And there is a lot of money pledged for St Luke's Hospice riding on the converted "rust bucket" to reach its destination.

Driver Nick, of The Chase, Wickford, has been heavily involved in international motor racing for ten years, but this will be his first attempt at rally driving on public roads.

Although Nick will be at the wheel for the whole 2,300km journey, both men know it is Iain who has the hardest job.

He said: "I do 80 per cent of the work. I have got the road maps and am now plotting the route."

Arriving at a checkpoint early will incur penalty points for speeding on public roads. Teams must arrive within 59 seconds of their target time.

The challenge, which sets off on January 9 from Weybridge, Surrey, is designed to recreate the Monte Carlo on the 1950s.

Arfur was found rusting away in a Bedfordshire farmyard. Previously owned by a car fanatic, it had been off the road for ten years and just used for parts.

Iain paid £2,500 for the pile of rust, but cannot bring himself to work out how much he has shelled out since then, restoring it to its previous glory.

He said: "It is not worth what I have paid for it, but I have saved an extremely rare car. They were all hand-built and it is an absolute work of art."

The two men have worked as a model team. While Nick has spent every waking moment in his Basildon workshop, Iain has been on the telephone chasing parts.

The two men will be up against ex-world series rally drivers so have no aspirations of gaining the laurel wreath.

All they care about is finishing - and raking in the money for the hospice.

Nick said: "We have been pledged hundreds of pounds and will be donating everything. I don't do a lot for charity, but something like this people can see and enjoy. It doesn't matter if we come last."

Anyone who would like to sponsor Arfur - so named because it arrived as half a car - can ring Nick on 01268 558418.

Driving force - Nick Smith and Iain Tinnen rebuilt the original Arfur, left, into the revamped model, right, for an international challenge event

Picture: LUAN MARSHALL

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