Best rallies across the UK / Europe

[rivarama]

The lockdowns have definitely taught me that I am not making the best of my cars, and should take them out for drives way more often. Go on adventures on the open roads.

To remedy that, I decided to sign up to some sort of rallies across the country / across Europe.
I have been doing a bit of research online and can only seem to find 3 sorts of rally types:

1- proper off road rally (think Collin McRay) either amateur or professional professional racing. Not at option (skills/car required)
2- Gumball3000 or Paris Pékin type. Super exclusive w a £30-50k entry fee. Not an option (budget)
3- Total Banger Type - £200 entry fee, with a car worth less than £500. Not an option (No interest in driving cross Europe in a 1987 fiat panda)

None of these really float my boat, either due to skills, budget or type of cars needed.

Would you know any rally allowing me to drive a few hundreds (or thousands) miles on nice roads, in a solid sports car (550, F430 or 911), without needing to spend tens of thousands on entry fees.

Thanks

 

[outrun]

Just drive the NC500 and prepare to be blown away by what our little island has to offer. Look up the website, plan your route, book some hotels, gather some friend and get on with it.

 

[dickygrace]

Good mate of mine has been on these a couple of times:

European-Driving-Adventure, European-Driving-Holiday

Why choose Rico Rally? We've been running successful European road trips since 2012 so have almost 10 years experience in delivering brilliant trips.

ricorally.co.uk

I’d like to do the Irish Cannonball one day too:

Cannonball Road Trips – Cannonball Ireland – Supercars Road Trips

cannonball.ie

 

[midlifecrisis]

Yup another vote for the NC500. Scotland will surprise you.

 

[Marco07]

I hope that more people make the same decision after COVID and realise how important it is to get the most enjoyment they can, when they’re able to. For me, cars (and bikes) have always been about using them. I’d prefer to wear them out and rebuild them to see them sitting idle.

First thing I’d suggest is to consider joining an European car club of some sort and then commit to participating in some of their events. We’re members of the VeA, Vincennes en Anciennes, in Paris and usually attend at least 3 of their jollies each year.

Second thing I’d do is look for events to go to just as visitors. Migla Miglia is a good one, so is Villa d’Esta concourse weekend.

I’ve also driven to Malta to the M’Dina Classic car weekend and it was fantastic. A week driving each way and a week on the island. Did it in my DB6 Vantage.

My daughter and I also use some of our older cars for regularity rallies which can be as relaxed or competitive as you want. There are classes for all ages of cars.

Use them while you can because if COVID restrictions have taught us anything it’s that we’ll have a hole in our lives when they turn down the petrol taps.

Happy Friday everyone.

 

[zagatoes30]

There are some great driving roads across Europe and half the fun of a road trip is the research, cheapest way is find a couple of mates with a similar ambition and then do it yourself. Next option is car clubs, SM even organises one but others do too AROC UK do a Ireland trip most years which is well organised and interacts with the local clubs here well. Then finally there are lots of companies running events, Heros Classic Scottish Malts tour is on my bucket list

 

[rivarama]

Thanks for the recommendations, please keep them coming.
i have def done a few European / UK road trips but this time, I want to give it a go through a company to be surrounded by like minded people, and half decent cars.
So any rally or event organisers you’ve heard of or tested yourself, pls let me know

 

[conaero]

Probably when I am at my happiest...blasting through Europe with a bunch of fellow enthusiasts. Planning on the NC500 in May with mate Jules (no doubt Athol, Gary and Matt will show their faces)

Really miss it, plus just jumping on a plane with the wife and heading to places like Verona to watch some aged 89/90’s group in the most amazing Coliseum.

Seen Duran Duran and Kravitz. Highly recommend it.

You can see the Coliseum in the background:

 

[Motorsport3]

Temple Rally | Endurorally

Home of the Peking to Paris Rally

www.endurorally.com

If you have pre-1985 car

 

[rivarama]

Out of curiosity, what’s the best way to plan for the NC500 when living in the south?

Do the 10h drive each way? Given its an extra 2/3day R/T - and not sure how fun most of the drive it.

or

Get the car transported to Edinburgh/ Inverness?

 

[3leftovercrest]

What about a road rally... lots of events around the uk and you don’t need a Grp N car or a full MSA.. you can use what you drive today

https://www.sevenoaksmotorclub.com/road-rally

 

[GTVGEOFF]

Out of curiosity, what’s the best way to plan for the NC500 when living in the south?

Do the 10h drive each way? Given its an extra 2/3day R/T - and not sure how fun most of the drive it.

or

Get the car transported to Edinburgh/ Inverness?

If you have the time I suggest you drive it, don't know where in the south you are but take your time have a day in the Cotswolds, pop into Wales, a day or two in the Lake District etc.
Also the Maserati Club are planning a short tour around the Alsace region next May, I have put my name down, fingers crossed Covid doesn't get in the way.

 

[dickygrace]

View attachment 77877

Who’s under the bubbles? You can’t be that high on life even in a jacuzzi in Rome

 

[Oneball]

Who’s under the bubbles? You can’t be that high on life even in a jacuzzi in Rome

Looks more like a relieved face to me.

Another vote for the non organised way. Book a ferry and go.

England-Belgium-Holland-Germany-Denmark-Norway-Arctic Circle.

or

England-France-Belgium-Luxembourg-Germany-Switzerland-Italy-Slovenia-Croatia.

No idea about organised stuff, don’t like people.

 

[Gazcw]

Out of curiosity, what’s the best way to plan for the NC500 when living in the south?

Do the 10h drive each way? Given its an extra 2/3day R/T - and not sure how fun most of the drive it.

or

Get the car transported to Edinburgh/ Inverness?

Extra days each way. We stopped at Dryburgh on the way up and then Bishopton on the way down. Still long days to get up to the borders but you are fresh for the roads and motor homes then. I can share a couple of off the beaten routes from a local that were fun and windy.

 

[zagatoes30]

We did most of the NC500 as part of my 50th celebration, wife and I dumped the kids with the inlays and then headed to Cornwall, spent 7 days driving Lands End to John O Groats and then the NC500, awesome trip in the SZ with great food and good hotels along the way.

 

[MarkMas]

Who’s under the bubbles? You can’t be that high on life even in a jacuzzi in Rome

 

[MarkMas]

Extra days each way. We stopped at Dryburgh on the way up and then Bishopton on the way down. Still long days to get up to the borders but you are fresh for the roads and motor homes then. I can share a couple of off the beaten routes from a local that were fun and windy.

Any particular reasons for Dryburgh and Bishopton?

My recommended stops are:

Lord Crewe Arms | Historic Hotel In Northumberland

Nestled in the village of Blanchland, stands the Lord Crewe Arms, a historic hotel that's ideally positioned for a relaxing northern getaway.

www.lordcrewearmsblanchland.co.uk

THE PHEASANT INN, BASSENTHWAITE - Updated 2023 Reviews

Book The Pheasant Inn, Bassenthwaite, Bassenthwaite on Tripadvisor: See 1,031 traveller reviews, 289 candid photos, and great deals for The Pheasant Inn, Bassenthwaite, ranked #4 of 6 hotels in Bassenthwaite and rated 4 of 5 at Tripadvisor.

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CRAGWOOD COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL - Updated 2023 (Windermere)

Now £138 on Tripadvisor: Cragwood Country House Hotel, Windermere. See 1,498 traveller reviews, 1,633 candid photos, and great deals for Cragwood Country House Hotel, ranked #5 of 19 hotels in Windermere and rated 5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. Prices are calculated as of 24/04/2023 based on a check-in...

www.tripadvisor.co.uk

 

[rivarama]

If you have the time I suggest you drive it, don't know where in the south you are but take your time have a day in the Cotswolds, pop into Wales, a day or two in the Lake District etc.
Also the Maserati Club are planning a short tour around the Alsace region next May, I have put my name down, fingers crossed Covid doesn't get in the way.

I would love to join. Will look at the dates

 

[Gazcw]

Any particular reasons for Dryburgh and Bishopton?

My recommended stops are:

Lord Crewe Arms | Historic Hotel In Northumberland

Nestled in the village of Blanchland, stands the Lord Crewe Arms, a historic hotel that's ideally positioned for a relaxing northern getaway.

www.lordcrewearmsblanchland.co.uk

THE PHEASANT INN, BASSENTHWAITE - Updated 2023 Reviews

Book The Pheasant Inn, Bassenthwaite, Bassenthwaite on Tripadvisor: See 1,031 traveller reviews, 289 candid photos, and great deals for The Pheasant Inn, Bassenthwaite, ranked #4 of 6 hotels in Bassenthwaite and rated 4 of 5 at Tripadvisor.

www.tripadvisor.co.uk

CRAGWOOD COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL - Updated 2023 (Windermere)

Now £138 on Tripadvisor: Cragwood Country House Hotel, Windermere. See 1,498 traveller reviews, 1,633 candid photos, and great deals for Cragwood Country House Hotel, ranked #5 of 19 hotels in Windermere and rated 5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. Prices are calculated as of 24/04/2023 based on a check-in...

www.tripadvisor.co.uk

Mostly because we had limited choice of places to stop as we left it late because of covid decisions.

Stopped at Dryburgh Abbey hotel
https://www.dryburgh.co.uk
From there we went up to Nairn for second night through Cairngorms National Park via C@ck Bridge (obviously). The roads were great and not too busy.
Did the 500 anti-clockwise.
Bishopton because it was just outside Glasgow for the push home.
https://www.marhall.com

Here are my pics of the trip
Nc500pics

Oh and we dropped into Grasmere on the way back for gingerbread.