• Rally the Globe sets new standards in the delivery of epic driving adventures 
• Aston Martin DB5 and rare Kurtis Comet make history by winning new venture’s debut event   
• Superlative ten-day competitive journey draws huge praise from sell-out entry  
• Plaudits agree: ‘The Rally the Globe team is the best in the business’

Rally the Globe’s debut event – last week’s Carrera Iberia – has been hailed as a massive, game-changing success by all those involved.

Established as a not-for-profit club by many of the sport’s top organisers and participants, the ambitious new group could not have hoped for a more positive introduction, nor for a more perfect launchpad for its forthcoming programme of peerless global competitive driving adventures.

Carrera Iberia attracted a sell-out entry of both vintage and classic cars with entrants unanimously agreeing that Rally the Globe has already set new standards, setting the bar by which future events will now be judged.

“I’ve done three rallies in six weeks all run by different companies and, without a shadow of doubt, this is head and shoulders above everything else,” enthused Stephen Hardwick who finished seventh overall in the Classic Category in his 1965 Ford Falcon.

“We’ve done lots of these events and this is as good as it gets,” concurred Jim Gately, the American claiming victory in the Vintage & Vintageant Category in his distinctive 1947 Kurtis Comet. “This really has been a fabulous rally: the route was the best we’ve ever done; the traffic free roads were a dream for classic cars and the hospitality throughout was second to none. It was just great to be part of it and we are definitely coming back for some more.”

Sharing similar thoughts, Ian Milne co-driver in an iconic 1974 Datsun 240Z added: “No other rally organisation will be able to hold a candle to Rally the Globe now. It is self-evident that the Rally the Globe team is the best in the business.” 

“It’s hard to believe this was Rally the Globe’s inaugural event,” echoed Bentley pilot Clint Smith.

Indeed, Rally Director Fred Gallagher confirms the rally has received widespread acclaim; an incredible achievement for a new team – albeit of proven experts – which has conceived and delivered a totally new event all within 16 months. “We could not have had a better start,” admitted a delighted Gallagher. “Putting together this rally in such a short space of time was very demanding, but the end result has been well worth it. Now we are looking forward to the future.”

Carrera Iberia was a magical ten-day journey taking participants on an exhilarating voyage from the historical port of Santander in northern Spain to Vilamoura on the southern coast of Portugal – an epic 3,470kms route, packed with outstanding attractions as well as nine tests and 19 regularity sections.

The carefully planned route featured nine days of memorable driving on deserted asphalt roads far away from the beaten track.  Crews drove through wine regions, rolling hills, dramatic canyons, twisting hillclimbs and atmospheric medieval citadels, while enjoying overnight stops at Paradors, Pousadas and five-star hotels.

In the Vintage & Vintageant section long distance rally winners Graham and Marina Goodwin jointly topped the early leaderboard with Gately and his navigator Tony Brooks after the opening day’s section between Santander and Rioja. It was a short-lived joint lead, though, for the Bentley pairing and the Goodwins eventually would have to be satisfied with third place in their Category.

From Day 2 onwards Gately’s distinctive Kurtis Comet was never headed although the Belgian duo Anton Gonnissen and Inge Willemen, in another of the Bentleys, kept the pressure on right to the end in the Category for earlier cars.

Meanwhile, the glorious Aston Martin DB5 of Alan and Tina Beardshaw never lost the lead in the Classics Category despite being under pressure for the entire rally from the Triumphs of Mike and Lorna Harrison in a TR3A and David and Jo Roberts in a TR4. David and Susan Danglard’s tremendous pace on the final day’s test saw the Americans grab a last gasp podium place in their blue Porsche 911.

At the finish Alan Beardshaw was ecstatic. “Having never won anything other than Tina’s hand in marriage, today is a very special day for me, we’re absolutely thrilled,” grinned the victorious Beardshaw. “I’m not sure it gets much better than this.”

As well as crowning the winners and welcoming all the finishers, Gallagher was quick to praise those who have played key roles in the creation of the already peerless Rally the Globe club.

“I must thank all those who have had faith in us: the founding members who shared our vision; the competitors who believed we would deliver a new level of driving and lifestyle experiences and our great team who nailed their colours to our mast and combined to produce such an utterly tremendous first event.”

Gallagher attributes much of the success to Rally the Globe’s unrivalled insight into what participants covet from such driving adventures, as well as meticulous attention to detail. “Whether it was the magical pre-start reception in Santander’s grand old Hotel Real, the Estoril Grand Prix track, the exclusive parking in Trujillo’s historic Plaza Mayor, the private ferry to the deserted Troia Peninsula,  or even the event-themed and monogrammed M&Ms given out at the start, it all added up to a very, very special dawn for Rally the Globe,” verified Gallagher. “Now we have raised the bar and established new standards, the challenge is to keep on delivering such sublime motoring experiences.” 

As Chairman and one of the founding members, Graham Goodwin has been highly involved in the setting up of Rally the Globe. He summed up Carrera Iberia by saying: “The team we have put together is fantastic and what they’ve delivered has been remarkable. We’re really looking forward to the future and it just goes to show that with the right planning, the right people and the proper team, you can achieve anything. I’m absolutely delighted and looking forward to many more such events.”
 
To that end, Rally the Globe has already announced a full-programme of both endurance and adventure style rallies filling the next four years – many of these are already in advanced stages of preparation.

Next up is the East African-based ‘Southern Cross Safari’ in February 2020, followed quickly by the Celtic Challenge in the British Isles next April and then the seminal ‘Round the World’ split into three individual sections between May 2020 and June 2021. A few remaining places on those events are still available for those to take advantage of Rally the Globe’s now proven inspiration, vision and expertise.

2019 CARRERA IBERIA: RESULTS

Vintage & Vintageant Category

1. Jim Gately (USA)/Tony Brooks (GBR) 1947 Kurtis Comet 0:02:13
2. Anton Gonnissen (BEL)/Inge Willemen (BEL) 1948 Bentley Speed 8 0:02:59
3. Graham Goodwin (GBR)/Marina Goodwin (GBR) 1927 Bentley Speed 0:03:41
4. Keith Ashworth (GBR)/Norah Ashworth (GBR) 1927 Bentley 4 1⁄2 Le Mans 0:03:55*
5. Bertie Van Houtte (FRA)/Charlotte Van Houtte (GBR) 1925 Bentley 3-4 1⁄2 0:05:45
6. Andrew Long (GBR)/Gina Long (GBR) 1937 Bentley Derby VDP 0:06:59*
7. Anthony Strelzow (CAN)/Lee-Ann Strelzow (CAN) 1936 Bentley Derby Coupe 0:15:38
8. Clint Smith (GBR)/Dawn Smith (GBR) 1929 Bentley Speed Six 4:35:18
9. Gavin Henderson (GBR)/Diana Henderson (GBR) 1922 Bentley 3-4 1⁄2 5:27:51

2019 CARRERA IBERIA: RESULTS

Classics Category

1. Alan Beardshaw (GBR)/Tina Beardshaw (GBR) 1965 Aston Martin DB5 0:01:07
2. Mike Harrison (GBR)/Lorna Harrison (GBR) 1959 Triumph TR3A 0:02:10
3. David Danglard (USA)/Susan Danglard (USA) 1973 Porsche 911 0:02:33
4. David Roberts (GBR)/Jo Roberts (GBR) 1963 Triumph TR4 0:02:54*
5. Mick de Haas (NLD)/Grace de Haas (NLD) 1966 Mercedes-Benz 280SL 0:03:20
6. Manuel Dubs (SWI)/Irene Dubs (SWI) 1965 Ford Mustang V8 Convertible 0:03:31
7. Stephen Hardwick (GBR)/Samantha Hardwick (GBR) 1965 Ford Falcon 0:03:39*
8. Andrew Laing (GBR)/Ian Milne (GBR) 1974 Datsun 240Z 0:06:33*
9. Clemens Lansing (GER)/Emilia Lansing (GER) 1971 Porsche 911 Targa 0:06:43
10. Christof Ley (GER)/ Len Treeter (CAN) 1958 Mercedes-Benz Ponton 220S 0:07:16
11. Sholto Gilbertson (GBR)/Casper Killick (GBR) 1964 Jaguar E-Type 0:07:21
12. Neil Oatley (GBR)/Peta Oatley (GBR) 1967 Lancia Fulvia 1.3S Rallye 0:09:29
13. Rogier Quekel (NLD)/Marjan te Velde (NLD) 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 0:09:32
14. Jeremy Clayton (GBR)/Jenny Clayton (GBR) 1966 Ford Mustang 0:10:10
15. Anthony Verloop (NLD)/Sonja Verloop (NLD) 1973 MGB GT V8 0:10:11
16. Charles Stuart-Menteth (GBR)/Nicola Stuart-Menteth (GBR) 1962 MGA MK2 0:10:36
17. Otakar Chládek (CZE)/Jindřiška Žemličková (CZE) 1971 Mercedes-Benz 350SL 0:15:49
18. Roland Singer (AUT)/Bernhard Ziegler (AUT) 1966 Saab 96 V4 2:02:39

*Class winners (note top three overall ineligible for awards)

Rally Director Fred Gallagher joined Gill and John Cotton in the USA in August for the western section recce for Round the World Part Two, starting the recce from Indianapolis, before Gill & John continued from Jackson Hole into Canada.

Fred had this to say about his impressions of the section from Indiana to Wyoming:

The first rest day on Round the World Part Two is in Indianapolis, and I can’t think of a better location. The city centre is immaculate and there are excellent bars and restaurants everywhere you look. And I did look! Nevertheless, the wonderful Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is a “must visit” for race fans who can pull themselves away from the delights of downtown.

Those who have traversed the North American continent will be aware there are a few flat days in the middle where delights have to be searched out, so we were delighted that lots of pre-recce research paid off. The first day through Amish country gave us covered bridges, smooth, twisty gravel, abandoned racetracks, and a fine lunch in a farm-to-table restaurant in a former bank. Later that day we crossed the 90-degree longitude line; a quarter of the way round already!

Next morning, starting from the west bank of the Mississippi, delight followed delight. We followed the historic Lincoln Highway, discovered quirky old fuel stations and found a series of picturesque 19^th Century German villages in rural Iowa. A trip through the Bridges of Madison County added to a splendid day.

After a brief trip to Nebraska we then spent another fine day in Iowa – highlights being either more splendid, smooth gravel roads or a stop in Le Mars, the self-proclaimed ice-cream capital of the world! Then onwards into the Dakotas and real cowboy country. The Badlands National Park has roads twisting through impressive geological formations that can take the breath away, and we saw numerous coyote, deer and prairie dogs. Then onwards to an overnight in Rapid City where the pace of life seemed slow.

Mount Rushmore needed a quick visit for those who, like me, hadn’t seen it before but it was the maze of twisty asphalt roads in the area that really impressed me. The further west we headed the longer the gravel sections became too, but they never became rough. This trip will be a real discovery of remote America.

After a leisurely run through Yellowstone we arrived in buzzing Jackson Hole which will see us in a very fine hotel, just off the central square, for two nights. There I reluctantly said goodbye to the Cottons as they continued their journey through Montana and into the Canadian Rockies.

Gill & John also gave their summary of the journey from Jackson Hole through to the finish line in Vancouver:

Having left Fred in the heart of cowboy territory we headed North through Idaho taking in some more fabulous gravel roads, through sand dunes (yes, sand dunes!). We were then into Montana before a lunch stop in Lima (did we take a wrong turn somewhere?), and North through the mountains to our overnight stop in Helena.

The next morning we checked out a great test venue at the Emergency Services training centre in Helena before heading further North into the mountains, via more smooth gravel roads and a beautiful drive through the Glacier National Park to Whitefish. From here on the locals tell us there’s a possibility we’ll see snow in early October, so pack some warm clothes!

We were then into Canada via a quaint historical village museum and an easy border crossing (as long as you’re not carrying any firearms of course!). Then some glorious gravel and tarmac mountain and lakeside roads led us to the beautiful Fairmont Banff Springs hotel.

From Banff to Jasper, all route possibilities provide awe-inspiring views and driving delights. A stop at Lake Louise will be a must. We always aim to find traffic free driving, but be aware, we were unable to avoid the odd traffic jam, usually caused by a bear sighting or, in our case, one crossing the road right in front of us!

Jasper to Kamloops, provides similar delights. A beautiful gravel mountain pass brought us down to the South Thompson River Valley and our superbly located hotel for the night. Onwards then, to our penultimate stop in the fashionable “village” of Whistler. It seemed that everywhere we travelled during the last 4 days, so did the amazing Trans-Canadian railway, and we drove particularly close by on some fabulously twisty tarmac roads. 

Our final day out of Whistler to Vancouver is straight-forward smooth tarmac, but we hope to have an exciting test before entering the Vancouver city limits via the Lion Gate Bridge, followed by a lovely drive through Stanley Park to a super finish venue near to our hotel on the Vancouver waterfront.

The Boston to Indianapolis section of the recce for Round the World Part Two will take place in October, so keep an eye out for more detail on what to expect from this coast to coast adventure across the USA and Canada.

We are delighted that our Celtic Challenge, which will be held in April 2020, has recently had considerable coverage in the British specialist press. This has resulted in a fantastic amount of interest from potential competitors with both pre and post-war cars, which has been great to see. As a result of this interest, we have reconsidered our original decision to make the event for vintage machinery only. 

The Celtic Challenge will now be open to all cars of a type built before 31 December 1969, but will have completely separate Vintage and Classic categories with distinct classifications and awards. 

Our Assistant Clerk of the Course (Ireland), Peter Scott, wrote a brilliant piece in the most recent HRCR’s Old Stager, describing just what to expect on the Celtic Challenge, and you can read the article in full below.

We are sure the event will be very popular, and we do hope you can join us.

Rally the Globe is running the Celtic Challenge, a five-day event with tests and regularities in Wales, Ireland and Scotland in April 2020. Entrants will start arriving on Tuesday 21st at the Carden Park Hotel outside Chester for car scrutineering and the issuing of the route followed by the first rally dinner. The event starts on the Wednesday morning with two immediate tests in the vast Carden estate owned by Redrow Chairman Steve Morgan. Two more tests, one of them at Chirk Castle, and a regularity precede lunch at the Lake Vyrnwy Hotel, immediately followed by a regularity using the scenic lake shore road. A test at the superb Cerrigydrudion kart track leads the rally convoy to the spectacular Great Orme at Llandudno where both a short, sharp regularity and a final test are on the menu. The overnight halt is at the Quay Hotel in Degany where the rooms have spectacular views over the Conwy Estuary.

Wednesday is a day of tests, six in all, starting with a return to the Orme and a test near Bangor before crossing the Menai Bridge onto Anglesey. The island is traversed via tests at the Anglesey Showground and Kartio Mon before the final two tests at the superb Ty Croes race track. The first of two ferry trips across the Irish sea is next on the list, from Holyhead to Dublin, and the Grand Hotel in Malahide, just north of Dublin city, is the second overnight halt.

Day 3 starts a little earlier at 8.00 am and Bellewstown Horse Race course on the ancient Hill of Crockafotha – with views of the Mountains of Mourne one way and the Irish Sea the other – is the venue for the first of the day’s six tests. An immediate regularity brings the crews almost to the next test at Ireland’s only international status kart track, White River Karting, outside Dunleer. A coffee stop at the famous Fitzpatrick’s pub on the shores of Carlingford Lough precedes the aptly named Windy Gap regularity in the Cooley Mountains. There may, or may not, depending on the outcome of Brexit, be a formal border crossing into Northern Ireland before one of the highlights of the event, South Armagh’s Slieve Gullion Forest Park with its incredible five miles of sinuous twisting tarmac forest drive. It and the neighbouring similar venue in Camlough Forest have many blind brows to catch those who are just too brave.

The first day in Ireland is not yet half way through, and now in Co Down there is a PC at the top of the stunning former hill climb at Spelga Pass followed by lunch at the Maghera Inn. Suitably fortified, crews head for the superb but little known Bishopscourt race track for both a test and a regularity. Another ferry, this time at Strangford, and only taking a few minutes, leads to another race track, Kirkistown, and a challenging lap consistency test. The last challenge of the day is a bit special and is on the estate roads of Lord and Lady Dunleath’s Ballywalter Park. The route to the night halt, the stunning Titanic Hotel housed in the former drawing office in Belfast docks, is over part of the famous Ards TT course of the 1930s raced by Caracciola and Nuvolari.

The route leaving Belfast on Saturday will pass some of Belfast’s famous ‘muriels’ (Google it!) before another trip back in history on the Dundrod TT circuit, where Moss, Titterington, Brooks, Collins, Salvadori and Hawthorn displayed their skills. Dundrod is now the home of the Ulster GP motorcycle races and the first test of the day is in the pits complex. Two ‘testing’ laps of the nearly one mile Nutts Corner International kart circuit follow as the route heads north through Country Antrim via two regularities and another forest drive test followed by a non-competitive trip over the stunning Torr Head. Lunch is at the Londonderry Arms in Carnlough, not far from the Stena Line ferry from Larne to Cairnryan on which Rally the Globe have commandeered the 1st class lounge and priority boarding and disembarking. An untimed run from Cairnryan to the Turnberry Hotel completes the day.

The disused airfield beside the Turnberry Hotel, once an early fifties Formula One race venue, starts the action on the final day on a route crossing Scotland from west to east. Four scenic regularities and five more tests at venues including Forrestburn hill climb and Leuchars army base, plus halts at New Lanark Mill Hotel and Houstoun House Hotel make up the day. The finish is at the wonderful Fairmont Hotel in St Andrews where the cars in the first three places will be on display in the centre of the dining room during the prize giving Gala dinner.