Michael Satterfield
Bespoke Rallies is offering classic rally drivers the unique opportunity to follow in the wheel-tracks of none-other-than five times World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio, by contesting the inaugural re-run of ‘the greatest ever road race’ – the Grand Prix of South America. 70 years to the minute after the start of the famous 1948 event, the crews will leave Buenos Aires at midnight on October 20, 2018 on an unforgettable 30-day challenge. It will take them some 10,000km through the wilds of Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, shadowing the original route as closely as possible.
Officially launched at an in-depth briefing at the Brooklands Museum on October 20, this extraordinary event has understandably captured the imagination of the international classic rally fraternity, and entries are flowing thick and fast. At present there are still a few places available at the special ‘early bird’ rate, but they are not expected to last for long, so anybody wishing to take advantage of the related discount is advised to contact the organisers as soon as possible. Further details are available at www.bespokerallies.com.
The original race resulted in an epic battle between Fangio in a Chevrolet Master and the Gálvez brothers aboard Ford V8s. Ultimately none of them won – Fangio crashed out on the 1322km-long seventh stage, while Juan Gálvez succumbed to an accident on the very last one, and his brother to disqualification for receiving outside assistance following a breakdown. The victor was a surprised Domingo Marimon. Said Bespoke Rallies Director John Brigden: “We are very excited about recreating some of the magic of that legendary event, which is still widely regarded as the greatest road race of all time, and we are receiving full co-operation from all the countries involved, which are as keen as we are to witness the re-enactment.”
Other exciting options from Bespoke Rallies
Further great events already scheduled by Bespoke Rallies include:
- Cuba Classic Rally – January 2018
- The 3rd Maya Classic Rally – February 2018
- The Highland 1000 – May 2018
- The Pyrenees 1000 – September 2018
- The Grand Prix of South America – October 2018
- Wild Borneo – May 2019
- Magical Madagascar – June 2019
Further details of everything on offer from this pioneering rally organiser is available at www.bespokerallies.com
