Rally the Globe’s sixth Carrera-style event has been hailed a resounding success following an 11-day sun-drenched driving adventure through southern Spain.

Starting and finishing in the Mediterranean city of Málaga – with exceptional overnight stops in Ronda, Cadiz, Carmona, Córdoba, Jaén, and Granada – Carrera Andalucía featured an incredible 1,565-mile (2,505 km) route crafted after eighteen months of meticulous planning and preparation.

Aimed at pre-1977 cars, the event focused on luxurious hotel stays, with all driving conducted on smooth, traffic-free asphalt highways. The route included ten Speed Tests on local circuits and 31 Regularities – mostly on spectacular mountain roads – to provide the competitive edge.

The impressive 25-car entry included two standout newcomers making their Rally the Globe debuts: a stunning 1971 Aston Martin DBR2 and an intriguing 1970 Excalibur Phaeton. They were joined by a fine selection of classic Porsches and Jaguars, as well as iconic marques such as AC, Alpine Renault, BMW, Frazer Nash, Morgan, MG, and Sunbeam.

With no vintage WO Bentley on the entry list for the first time in Rally the Globe history, the honour of being the oldest car – and thus first through the starting arch – went to the 1930 Chrysler 70 Roadster, entered by Swiss pair Chris and Rita Dillier. The most modern competitor was the 1976 Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC of Adrian and Jacqui Brooks.

The opening day set the tone for the journey to come. Crews departed from the stunning Museo Automovilístico de Málaga, heading for Regularities and Time Controls high up in the sinuous Montes de Málaga. Carrera Andalucía’s first spirited Speed Test followed at the Karting del Sol circuit.

At the end of the curtain-raiser, it was the 1939 Frazer Nash-BMW 327/80 of Steve and Jenny Verrall leading the Pre-War category, while Roy and Rachel Stephenson’s 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera set the pace among the more numerous and modern Classic entries.

The Verralls extended their lead on day two, but the Stephensons’ glory was short-lived. After their brief moment in the Spanish sun, the Porsche slipped down the leaderboard, overtaken by the 1973 Escort RS1600 of Ean and Alison Lewin.

Starting and finishing in historic Granada, day three perfectly embodied the Carrera ethos, with a stunning route encircling the Sierra Nevada National Park. It featured two fabulous Regularities, four Tests at the incredible Circuito Mike G Guadix, and finished with drinks and dinner on the panoramic terrace of the Alhambra Palace Hotel.

The scenery changed on day four, but the stunning roads continued – this time through olive groves as the route delved deeper into the Spanish interior.

Day five – from a Parador high above Jaén to a well-earned rest day in Córdoba – was due to be the rally’s longest, and perhaps most challenging, until the organisers took the sensible decision to shortcut the final Regularity Section in deference to the record-breaking and unseasonal high temperatures.

Despite the tough conditions, the two category leaders held firm: the Frazer Nash still led the Pre-War entries, while the RS1600 remained out front among the Classics, now chased by two Jaguar XK150s driven by Andrew and Ann Boland, and David and Jo Roberts.

However, the Roberts’ challenge faltered the following day, with the 1955 AC Ace of Keith and Norah Ashworth now moving into third, and the 1969 Porsche 911 of Neil Smith and Michael McCollum close behind in fourth.

That day’s scenic route wound through the Parque Natural Sierra de Hornachuelos, passing nut groves, cherry orchards, sunflower fields, and cork oaks, before reaching another historic Parador – this time a former Andalusi palace on the ruins of a Moorish castle – where the rally stayed for two nights.

Day eight featured a scenic loop from and to the Parador de Carmona, with two Regularities – the first in the mountainous Sierra Padrona and the second featuring waterfront motoring from Zufre – plus two Speed Tests and a novel Lap Consistency Test at the newly completed, but still sweltering Circuito de Sevilla.

The next leg took crews from Carmona to Cádiz, via magnificent rolling roads through the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park.

In the Pre-War category, the long-time leading Frazer Nash was feeling the heat, with the Swiss-entered Chrysler 70 Roadster close behind and pushing hard. In the Classics, the Lewins continued to lead, with a fierce four-way battle for second unfolding – mere seconds separated the Jaguars, Porsche, and AC.

It all changed on the penultimate day, which took crews from Cádiz to Ronda via exciting Tests alongside the famous Circuito de Jerez, former host of the Spanish Grand Prix. The Roberts’ Jaguar dropped from second to fifth, while the 1969 Porsche 911 of Neil Smith and Michael McCollum jumped from fourth to second. The Bolands’ Jaguar held third, with the Ashworths’ AC Ace slipping to fourth.

The final run back to Málaga was bittersweet – sad to see the adventure end but full of joy for the memories made. Though more competitive sections followed, the order at the top remained unchanged in both categories.

Interestingly, both winning crews were first-time Carrera victors, but also previous Rally the Globe winners. The Verralls won the Ypres to Istanbul Challenge in 2022 in a 1965 Porsche 911, while the Lewins claimed victory on the Alaska to Mexico Marathon in 2023 in their trusty Ford RS1600.

Two discretionary awards were also presented at the prize-giving dinner. The Spirit of the Rally award went to Belgian duo Ivan Mans and Archana Roosen for bringing their stunning Aston Martin DBR2 to their first-ever rally and embracing every aspect of the experience. Australians Matthew English and Kirsty Porter earned the Against All Odds trophy for nursing their struggling 1961 Porsche 356 to the finish.

Wrapping up another acclaimed Rally the Globe adventure, Clerk of the Course Mark Appleton praised the event team for their dedication and professionalism, particularly in the often-sweltering conditions.

Having now delivered three highly successful rallies in 2025, Rally the Globe is gearing up for the final two events of the year: the Suffolk Cloverleaf in early August, and the epic Islands of Japan Marathon running through September and October.

Looking further ahead to 2026, even more adventures await. The already sold-out Generations Rally is set for 20–22 March, based near the Forest of Dean. The ever-popular Vintage Shamrock returns to Ireland’s southeast, alongside new events in Scandinavia and northern Spain.

With growing demand and events frequently selling out, prospective participants are encouraged to register early to avoid disappointment.