Via Flaminia Classic
The Dolomites rally
The Dolomites are a beautiful Italian mountain range that lends itself perfectly to a unique rally: the Via Flaminia in 2024. If you like well maintained roads (mostly) and driving through woods and in between high mountains, then this is the rally for you.
We will depart from the Italian wine region ‘Veneto’, an hour’s drive from Venice. From here the route continues north towards the southern Alps where we will be able to take a closer look at the impressive mountains. A route through a valley-like national nature reserves.
We stay for two night in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the center of the Dolomites. We drive a wonderful loop through the eastern area. Around the Marmolada Mountains, also called the ‘King of the Dolomites’, thanks to its highest peak (Monte Antelao 3263 meters) and around the Natural Park of the Ampezzo Dolomites with Monte Cristallo (3221 m), characterized by its pyramid-shaped mountain tops towering into the sky.
Driving the Dolomites is not complete without doing the Sellaronda with the Passo Sella, Passo Compologno and the Passo Pordoi. But first we drive up what is my favorite, the Passo Giau at 2236 meters. The views from the top are just breathtaking, from here you can see the highest peak of the Dolomites, the Marmolada.
We park our cars in front of our hotel, on the Piazza Walther, the main square of Bolzano. Thanks to the local Veteran Car Team. In the evening we are free to discover this old town on the crossroad of many civilizations.
Leaving what we know as the Dolomites, we continue west and take one of the many passes which used to have its own hill climb a century ago. The Passo Gavia ( 2621 m) stands really out from all we have done so far. Most of the way up is a single lane road. It is the tenth highest paved road in the Alps, but don’t assume it is only the tenth most challenging road. The views are exalting. It is quite a change from the wider and more busy roads in the Dolomites.
In Sondrio we stay in a typical Via Flaminia hotel, the Grand Hotel della Posta, full of character, full of history and in the middle of town.
After the highlights of the week, the drive back to our last comfortable hotel in Verona is just a leisurely drive.
During the rally we mainly take the ‘smaller’ roads where you can drive at a stable pace. The mountain passes can be evocative, but should be doable for your classic car. During the days there is enough time for some cultural exploration, a coffee stop and a picture.
There are 29 places available for cars up to 1980.
For teams with a combined age under 100, there is a 1% discount for each year below 100, with a maximum of 15% (reference year 2024). They may also bring a younger car, one year for every two years their combined age is less than 100 years.
In line with the Via Flaminia we will welcome you at a castle dating back to the Roman times. It sits strategically between the Adriatic and Northern Europe with a commanding view over the valley below.
Castel Brando is also only 70 km North of the Venice Marco Polo Airport and only 50 km North of Venice-Treviso Airport. If you wish so, we will ship your classic car up to the castle and pick you up with a taxi at the airport.
Those arriving early will have the chance to visit the historic buildings as well as the museum.
At 6 p.m. we will be welcoming you with a drink on one of the terraces.
Right from het hotel we take a daring narrow road over the mountains. The narrow and steep hairpin bends follow each other and lead ultimately to a high cliff. On the top you will have a clear view of the snow-capped Alps.
This will be one of the narrowest and steepest roads of the week. If you passed this rite of initiation, then you should be fine for the rest of the week.

We pass into Friuli and border the southern flanks of the Dolomites. It is an alternation of post card like views, forest, high rocky mountains and an undulating road.
Time for a drink on the terrace of the comfortable hotel.


From the Relais Picaron we go north, we pass the bridge over the Tagliamento river bringing melting water from the Alps. The roads are desolate, the asphalt is (mostly) excellent. This is a day for driving. Driving between mountains, through woods and along rivers.
Quite enjoyable actually.
After some great driving and the first glimpses of the Dolomites we arrive in Cortina d’Ampezzo , the center of the Dolomites. We will be staying there for two days.


We will be staying two nights in Cortina. It is our staging point for the highlights of the Dolomites.
The Dolomites are part of the UNESCO world Heritage. It features 18 peaks, some of them rising over 3000m, and some of the most beautiful mountain landscapes anywhere, with vertical walls, sheer cliffs and a high density of narrow, deep and long valleys.
A short day, but, oh what a day. We make a big tour around the mountain range called Gruppo delle Marmarole with its top over 3000 meters.



Today we leave the Dolomites but first we see some of the highlights. We drive the Sellaronda, we drive the magnificent Passo Giau (2236), Passo Pordoi (2239 m) and Passo di Gardena (2136 m) before taking a beautiful road through the woods to Bolzano.
In Bolzano we are allowed to park our car on the main square, Piazza Walther, in fornt of our hotel. Thanks to the Veteran Car Team of Bolzano.



Those wishing to do so are welcome to drive the Stevio pass. But, given the traffic on this pass, we will not incorporate it in our rally.
In stead we take the Gavia pass ( 2621 m) to Bormio. It might be more of a challenge than the Stelvio, it certainly has some amazing views. And while driving up, realize yourself that the pass part of the Giro d’Italia on a regular basis. So, you should be fine in your car,….



We will be staying in the center of Sondrio. The cars will be exhibited on the main square. The end of a truly exhilarating day.





I could have gone for yet another small mountain road. However I think we are looking forward to some easy driving. Most of the route will be over the Super Strada leading to Lake d’Iseo. We drive along the serene lake and see all the mountains around us.
There is no way around it. The last stretch to our comfortable hotel in Verona is over the highway. We stayed there on an earlier occasion much to the satisfaction of the participants.
After breakfast we will say goodbye and look out for another rally adventure.
The Hotel Veronesi la Torre has a great underground parking space. So if you want, you can stay another day and explore Verona.
If you wish so, then we will pick up your car here. It is only a few kilometers by taxi to the Verona Airport.
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Aurelio Lioi (USA)

Tina Lan (USA)



Jan Droogers (NL)

Ellen Droogers (NL)





John Cielesh (AUS)

Louisa Bonfigli (AUS)



Bernard Fortuyn (NL)

Bernadette Fortuyn (NL)







Cees Sintenie (NL)

Vera Sintenie (NL)








Carlo Campolucci-Bordi (UK)

Alistair Cooke (UK)






Joseph Sully (USA)

Roxanne Denning (USA)



Matthijs Laurs (NL)

Jesse Nobel (NL)











Ronald Belser (NL)

Jenny Belser (NL)







Jan Koers (NL)

Gerdy Koers (Nl)





Hans Krietemeijer (NL)

Helmy Wulms (NL)




Eva Beems (NL)

Frank Wilschut (NL)







Nico Trap (NL)

Hanneke Trap (NL)









Frank van Min (NL)

Jacqueline van Min (NL)









Roland van Pelt (NL)

Francis Driessen (NL)


















Frans Bremmer (NL)

Jacqueline Fhij (NL)



John McCoy (USA)

Cindy Isberg (USA)



Frits Versteegh (NL)

Anita Versteegh (NL)





Nico Cortlever (NL)

Letty Cortlever (NL)















Bram van Rosmalen (NL)

Fenneke van Leijden (NL)

















Hans Blaak (NL)

Fianne Blaak (NL)







Herman Blaak (NL)

Marion Hoogenes (NL)











Graeme Allan (UK)

Paul Howard (UK)





Niek van Helden (NL)

Marian van Helden (NL)


















Mario van Herpen (NL)

Marjo van Herpen (NL)



Eric Barenbrug (NL)

Lucienne Samuels (NL)












Alexander van Puijenbroek (NL)

Abel Jan Brand (NL)














Johan Schoenmaker (NL)

Hille Ypma (NL)












Donald Ferrari (USA)

Giuliana Ferrari (USA)



Egbert Dijkstra (NL)

Liesbeth van Galen (NL)












Rally Details
Start: Saturday May 25, 2024
Castel Brando
Via Brandolini Brando, 29
31030 Cison di Valmarino (TV)
Finish: Friday May 31
Hotel Veronesi La Torre
Via Monte Baldo, 22
37062 Dossobuono (VR)
Included:
- A maximum of 29 crew
- Seven nights in good hotels.
- Five dinners.
- Four or five lunches.
- Technical assistance.
- Raidillon Watch for the winners
- Via Flaminia clothing.
- Roadbooks, rallyshields etc
Entry fee
Booking: € 4.600, -. When down payment of € 1.000,- in before January 15, 2024. The rest of the sum needs to be payed by January 15, 2024.
Booking: € 4.800, -. When down payment of € 1.000,- in after January 15, 2024.
Upgrade (Superior room in stead of standard when available): € 750, –.
Transportation
To Italy:
Transportation of your car by truck from Holland to the Castel Brando: TBA
From Italy:
Transportation of your car by truck from the Verona Airport to Holland: TBA
From and to the UK:
We will inquire if there is sufficient demand.
You are responsible for booking your own flight.
Total kilometers
Total rally kilometers: 1200
From Treviso Airport to the first hotel (start): 45 km
From Venice Marco Polo Airport to the first hotel: 70 km
From the finish hotel to Verona Airport: 3 km.