The snappily-named Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens, the worldwide historic vehicle organisation better known as FIVA, has announced the details of two of the three World Rallies it’s organizing this year: the Austria Classic for cars built up to 1980 and the FIVA World Rally in Andorra for cars at least 30 years old. The Austria Classic is scheduled for May 22-26 this year and is a 650km run starting and finishing at the Radisson Blu Park Royal Palace Hotel in Vienna. Those with an eligible car and a valid FIVA ID card–meaning you don’t necessarily have to be a FIVA member–can participate.
The rally proceeds through Wachau, famous for its high-quality wines, Burgenland and the Semmering region, which has long been a highly popular location for classic car rallies and historic motorsport. It held its first mountain race as long ago as 1899, with winners of the then-annual Semmering mountain race including legends Rudolf Caracciola and Hans Stuck. The rally more broadly takes in many of Austria’s picturesque locations such as around the Danube and Alps foothills. For participants there is a choice of two classes: one for Regularity (Classic) competitors and one for Touring (Trophy) participants. “The Austria Classic is intended as a ‘regularity event and/or touristic discovery trip’ to enjoy not only driving your own historic vehicle, but also the architectural, geographical and cultural diversity of Austria,” said Robert Krickl, president of OMVV and OMVC, the FIVA clubs organizing the event.
The FIVA World Rally in Andorra meanwhile takes place on July 1-7 and is open to anyone with an eligible car, again not just FIVA members. And despite the name the rally’s itinerary takes in three countries–in addition to the tiny Andorran Principality, neighboring France and Spain are also explored in the rally’s 500km route over its five days. As well as the driving there will be plenty of novel experiences for participants including visits to the Automobile Museum of Encamp, the Motorcycle Museum in Canillo, Andorra’s Caldea spa center as well as having a descent on the Tobotronc, at 5km the longest Alpine toboggan run in the world! The entry fee covers these and also includes hotel stays, five lunches and the closing dinner, all with drinks included. “This means that any mechanical maladies will not disrupt the fun,” said FIVA president Patrick Rollet. “The drive will include dramatic roads high in the Pyrenees but the emphasis is on exploring beautiful countryside and absorbing local culture, rather than pushing your car to its limits.”
FIVA is a worldwide organization dedicated to the preservation, protection and promotion of historic vehicles. Its primary objective is to encourage the safe use of vehicles more than thirty years old and to that end FIVA has devised its own code for the safe promotion of rallies and mildly competitive events. FIVA has over 85 member organizations in more than 62 countries globally, which in turn represent more than 1.5million historic vehicle enthusiasts. Registration for both rallies is open now.
Images of last year’s FIVA rally in Wales courtesy of FIVA
