From car rallies to car tours!

Until a few years ago, if you wanted to go on an organised car tour abroad it meant competing in a rally. Whether a navigational or a timed speed event, it was expensive, difficult to get into and your car would need specialist preparation, and safety equipment. Oh, and, most important, you would need a trained co-pilot cum navigator who would also function as an office manager, tour operator, timekeeper and all-round planner! And, he maybe needed to perform an F1 style tyre change in the middle of nowhere when called upon to do so by his often recalcitrant driver. And who gets all the glory ? – Well, it’s not the navigator!

But now, all that has changed!  Non-competitive car ‘Tours’ are the order of the day and are well organised by such people as The Classic & Sportscar Club and Iberian Motoring Events to name only two.

In fact, IME have just released information on their next 5-day tour called the ‘Tour of the Three Parques‘ which will take place, starting from the Mijas area, on October 12th.

The event will take in three mountain ranges including the Alpujarras and the Sierra Nevadas and will include a two-night stop in the fabulous city that is Granada, full of amazing tapas bars and restaurantes.

No particulars skills are necessary and the organisers provide simple, easy to use, professional roadbooks to ensure everyone finds their way. No timing is used other than the importance of making it to dinner in the evenings!

One can imagine the stunning scenery, panoramic views and quiet, traffic-free roads making driving relaxing and enjoyable. Something that can’t be done in much of Europe and especially not in the UK.

Hotels, dinners, breakfasts and more are included for an astonishingly low entry fee of €620pp + IVA assuming two people sharing. If you’d like to try something different, contact IME through their website www.iberianmotoringevents.com.

These events are open to all and are great fun.

Whilst talking of tours, the Classic & Sportscar Club arrange at least one, one-day event every month and in May their run (or tour) started near Estepona and took in beautiful places and roads around Casares, Gaucin, Cortes de la Frontera and Ronda before finishing with a super lunch at El Papillon beach club in Elviria, near Marbella.

In June the CSCC are organising a classic and sportscar run on Sarurday the 6th that will start near Marbella and skirt the Lakes of El Chorro before finishing with lunch at the fabulous ‘Yikoi’ Asian restaurant near Marbella where quite a special feast will be laid on for all participants. Already a large entry has been received with a  variety of stunning motorcars – too many to mention.  Places are still available so do please contact the organisers directly at csccspain@gmail.com  or see their website for more details which is www.csccspain.com.

The ‘Cars and Coffee’ meetings organised by the club once a month have been a huge success but there needs to be a break for the summer high season. So, the last Cars and Coffee will be on Sunday, June 28th based at YANX American Diner in Centro Plaza, Puerto Banus from 10.00am until 1.00pm.  These terrific social gatherings over coffee and great cars will recommence in October.  Watch this space for the date!

Lastly , the CSCC has revived it’s mid-summer party and this year it will be at the hotel Tamisa Golf on the old  Coin Road in Mijas Costa. Set for Saturday, June 27th with dining and dancing under the stars, tables laid up around the pool, in this most beautiful location and with live music and a full four-course dinner with wines for only €65pp.  Contact the Club direct to book.

Thats about it for this month save to remind you that the F1 World Championship continues this weekend at the iconic Monaco street circuit. Mercedes seem to be the team in front at this time but development of these cars continues at a pace with both McLaren and Ferrari snapping at their heels and ready to pounce. It should be a terrific Grand Prix!

See you again here in July!