The Diagonale Classic - from 16 to 19 October 2010: For Gentlemen!

Over the past eleven years of the Rally des Princesses, many of have asked when the Gentlemen would get their turn to be treated like royalty. After witnessing, up close or at a distance, the enthusiasm of their lady friends, and in keeping with the proper etiquette of ‘ladies first’, the men can now follow along the same picturesque country roads of the Navarre region of France, just a few weeks later.

Over three days (from Vichy to Monaco) in October 2010, organisers Zaniroli Classic Events will stage a test run, with plans for a full week of rallying 2011.

The regularity event is for classic cars (dating from pre-war to 1990) and includes GPS timing equipment, baggage service, three and four star hotels and fine dining. Direction the South, with Madam, or simply amongst friends. See www.zaniroli.com for more details.

2nd Giro d’Italia in Automobile

This second Giro d’Italia, organised by the Automotoclub Storico Italiano, this year in collaboration with Alfa Romeo to celebrate the Milano marque’s centenary, will start in Rome, visiting central Italy before heading go south, touring many of the parts of Italy that Mille Miglia competitors never see. An important aspect of this FIVA event is the culture and heritage of Italy.

ASI is part of a federation of some 250 Italian car clubs, and these clubs welcome competitors throughout the rally.

The event leaves Rome on Wednesday, 22 September and closes with a gala dinner in Sorrento on Saturday after visiting Rieti, Cittaducale and Antrodoco. It will pass very close to L’Aquila, then through Amatrice and Ascoli Piceno before taking the Adriatic Coast, to Pescara, Francavilla, Vasto, Termoli and on to Amalfi and Salerno on the last day.

The maximum number of cars admitted will be 100, and all cars must have a FIVA or ASI Identity Card. See the ASI web site on www.asifed.it, where you can download the entry form.

‘Lormarins Postponed

The ‘Lormarins 1200, which was to have been launched in October has been put back to next year so that a number of new elements can be incorporated – including the opening of exciting new facilities on the 'Lormarins estate as an improvement to the Killarney Track day initially scheduled in the programme.

Rally Director, Chris Routledge said, “When we launched the event in April the response from car owners from around the world was fantastic and we realised that the potential for the event was even greater than we had imagined.”

The ‘Lormarins 1200 - the inspiration of Johann Rupert, Chairman of the Richemont Group of Companies - will not only visit his famous estate on the outskirts of Cape Town but also run on a new circuit which he is building.

The new dates for the five day rally will be in October 2011 and more than 50 cars are expected to take part in the five day event, which is sponsored by Rupert Wines and Dunhill. It will start and end at the Franschoek Motor Museum on the ‘Lormarins wine estate.

The first day will see participants driving through cape winelands; day two is another loop around the wine area; on day three the cars will travel along the coast to Betty’s Bay and Gordon’s Bay; day four includes a race with demonstration runs and special VIP guests; day five will see a run along the coastal route to Chapman’s Peak and then travelling over Hells Hoogte Pass before returning to the Museum for a gala dinner and prize giving.

For entrants’ information contact Chris Routledge at Coys on +44 208 614 7889.