From Barcelona to Santander in spring 2022
Mountain roads, race tracks and luxurious hotels en-route
Entries now open to pre-1977 classic and veteran cars
With the optimism of a clear roadmap out of lockdown ahead, Rally the Globe has its pedal-to-the-metal creating new competitive adventures for those crewing much-loved vintage and classic cars.
Fuelled by this renewed enthusiasm and excitement, a revised calendar of events was confirmed last month and that future programme is now further enhanced by the addition of the alluring Carrera España, entries for which are now open.
Set in the warmth of welcome spring sunshine in Spain and open to all cars built before the end of 1976, Carrera España will run from 24 April to 5 May 2022 and will explore the empty, scenic roads in the northern part of the fêted Iberian country.
Running to Rally the Globe’s much-admired Carrera format, the meticulously researched driving route will run entirely on asphalt surfaces. The overnight camaraderie will be experienced at hotels chosen specifically for their luxury, comfort, style and, perhaps a little quirkiness to make them all-the-more memorable. The inclusion of Regularity Sections, often set on twisty mountain roads, plus Timed Tests arranged at permanent motor sport venues will add the captivating element of competition so enjoyed by both drivers and navigators.
The route for the Carrera España will start outside the enchanting seaside city of Barcelona and finish 11 days later in Santander, the beautiful resort famous for its eye-catching beaches and mouth-watering cuisine.
Guaranteeing a fast start, the opening day includes tests at famous circuits as well as challenging regularities in the Pyrenees. From Barcelona in the region of Catalonia, crews will travel through the wonders of Aragon, Navarra, La Rioja, Castilla y Leon, Galicia and Asturias before finally arriving on the Cantabrian coast. Evenings en-route will be spent in a variety of top class hotels including Benedictine monasteries, a mountain lodge and even a mediaeval fortress.
“Like the greatest of grand touring GT cars, our Carrera events are created for both competition and comfort – and the Carrera España will have both those two pleasures in abundance,” promised Fred Gallagher, Rally the Globe’s well-respected Rally Director. “The event travels through seldom seen, traffic-free parts of northern Spain with gloriously open roads through some truly stunning scenery. The hotels are equally impressive and no doubt where every day’s adventures will be revisited, shared and, perhaps, sometimes embellished around the dinner table!”
Rally the Globe’s previous visit to Spain for the Carrera Iberia in 2019 proved an instant success with entries selling out swiftly. With numbers again limited to avoid overcrowding, keen participants are advised to register their interest without delay.
For those eager for some restorative driving adventures in the meantime, this autumn’s Highland Thistle Rally and Carrera Italia still have a few remaining places on their respective entry lists.
Based in St Andrews the former is a magical trip to and from the spectacular Isle of Skye via the Scottish glens, lochs and mountains. The latter is an equalling alluring journey through the dramatic Dolomites and idyllic lakes of northern Italy.
RALLY THE GLOBE CALENDAR (2020-2022)*
11-14 June 2021 Yorkshire Cloverleaf 1
22-25 June 2021 West Highland Cloverleaf 1
12-15 July 2021 Yorkshire Cloverleaf 2
19-22 July 2021 West Highland Cloverleaf 2
2-7 September 2021 Highland Thistle Rally
2-12 October 2021 Carrera Italia
25-27 March 2022 Generations Rally
24 April-5 May 2022 Carrera España
13 June–3 July 2022 Ypres to Istanbul Challenge
25 September-1 October 2022 Vintage Dolomites
28 January-24 February 2023 Road to Hanoi
