Reliving the golden age of motoring with the Alfa Romeo Tour de España Classic
Alfa Romeo Tour de España Classic
For those who like cars there is nothing quite like the automotive mythology created by such legendary events as the Mille Miglia, the Targa Floria and the ‘Monte’. Visions of Bugattis, Ferraris, Maseratis and Aston Martins taking to Europe’s country roads and battling it out in the halcyon days of motoring lay at the basis of much of the attraction that sports cars and motor sports have on us today. Such was the stuff of legend, a romantic era that has been superseded by the necessities of modern traffic and the realities of modern motor sport, but even though today’s racing car drivers are limited to specially built circuits, there are still a few select occasions when the spirit of classic motoring is revived and beautiful sports cars from the past can take to the road in competition once more.
Although there is quite a circuit of Concours d’Elegance, at which proud owners of classic cars can share their interest with other enthusiasts, just a handful of true classic car rallies grace the European motoring calendar. The Tour de España Classic, now in its seventh edition, is the leading occasion of its kind in Spain, and one of the most important in Europe. Organised by the Spanish Automobile Association, the Federación Andaluza de Automovilismo and Peter Auto, under the tutelage of Real Federación Española de Automovilismo, the Alfa Romeo Tour de España Classic brings about 100 classic cars together in a romantic revival of open road competition, team spirit and fun. For five days, from the 2nd to the 6th of November, the roads of western and southern Spain will be graced by the likes of Porsche 911s, Jaguar XKs, Alfa Romeo 2000s, AC Cobras and a variety of classic Ferraris, Maseratis, Aston Martins, Lancias and Mercedes, as competitors from across Europe, North America and the Middle East attempt to outdo one another in one of the two categories: speed and consistency.
Starting from Madrid on Wednesday morning, 2nd November, the two-man teams of driver and navigator will be setting off on their six-day journey through the scenic countryside and quaint towns of western Spain and Andalucía, adding to the romantic charm of the scenery with their classic vehicles. In spite of the beautiful setting and nostalgic nature of this rally, the competitors will be taking it very seriously and the standard of competition will be very high, with not only businessmen, artists and professionals from the car industry competing, but former motor sports champions such as biker Alex Crivillé as well. With the competition limited to 100 cars from between 1945 and 1976, the organisers are able to provide the kind of back-up support required and participants will form a small, select group that includes such glamorous members as Paloma Picasso, the daughter of the famous painter.
The first day sees the teams heading west to the historical city of Ávila, crossing through undulating country before reaching the kind of forested mountain roads that drivers of these cars so relish. In the true spirit of the Targa Floria or Mille Miglia, they will not be held up by modern-day traffic jams but be engaging one another directly in a battle of speed, driving ability and navigational skill as the country road routes will be closed off to normal traffic on the days the cavalcade passes. Day two takes in the descent from the Sierra de Ávila to the proud Castilian city of Salamanca, which with its many historical buildings will form a perfect backdrop for the equally sculpted lines of cars such as the Ferrari 275 GTB, the Jaguar XK140, Aston Martin DB2, Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster, Ferrari 250 GT Lusso and the rare Ligier JS2. Mouth-wateringly beautiful and still awesomely powerful, they will be sure to draw admiring crowds from town to town—not to mention surprised stares from country folk in sleepy villages—but the competition also counts more affordable gems in the form of a Ford Cortina Lotus, BMW 2002, Alfa Romeo 1750 GT, Lancia Fulvia and Lotus Elan, proving the broad appeal of the classic car fraternity.
With chief sponsor Alfa Romeo, and additional sponsoring from the likes of Tommy Hilfiger, Repsol, Michelin, the Spanish Automobile Association and the Regional Government of Andalucía, the Alfa Romeo Tour de España Classic is a well-organised event that not only celebrates beautiful cars and the old-fashioned spirit of racing car competition, but does so in style. Days spent cruising through the countryside behind the wheel of a Maserati Bora or Austin Healey are followed by gourmet dinners in old Parador castles, bodegas or even on the beach, after which the participants give themselves over to the festive camaraderie that binds them together. Unlike Formula One Grands Prix and similar large races, this is an exclusive event with a rather private atmosphere, yet this does not mean that visitors are not welcome to admire the competition and its stunning collection of sports cars from up close.
For those of us in Andalucía, the opportunity will come when the Tour heads south from Salamanca to Cáceres, and then down to Sevilla before ending on a high note on the final day, as the drivers traverse the beautiful Andalusian hinterland from Sevilla to Ronda. The competition should reach its climax and will most likely be decided at this final stage, when bit by bit the 100 classic beauties will be taken through their paces around the state-of-the-art racing circuit of the Ascari Race Resort just outside Ronda. If you enjoy rare, beautiful sports cars, this is the place to be. It may not be as good as driving your own classic car through the country stages of a rally, but it’s sure to make your pulse quicken all the same.
For more information, visit www.faa.net or contact the Federación Andaluza de Automóvilismo at Tel: 957 473 711.
Itinerary
Stage 1—Wednesday November 2
10.00hrs: Leave Madrid from the Ifema feria ground
10.30hrs: Arrive at the Jarama Race Track for time trials then continue on to Ávela.
Stage 2—Thursday November 3
09.00hrs: Leave Ávila for Salamanca withtime trials on route
Stage 3—Friday November 4
09.00hrs: Leave Salamanca with the day’s racing finishing in the Plaza Mayor, Cáceres
Stage 4—Saturday November 5
09.00: Leave Cáceres, heading for the Olympic Stadium in Sevilla.
Stage 5—Sunday November 6
09.00hrs Leave Sevilla and final time trials
11.00hrs: Arrive at the Ascari Race Track in Ronda. Racing on the track, lunch and prize giving.
