If we asked rally fans to come up with their dream event, the result probably wouldn’t be too different. For 20 years, the small republic of San Marino, located in the heart of Italy, has held unique meetings for all fans of this discipline every autumn. Every year, this event gathers thousands of lovers of the “great romance of the road”, collectors, as well as great drivers who marked the history of the rally.

” Here you can see the cars and drivers of the past– explains Massimo Biazione, WRC World Champion in 1988 and 1989 with the Lancia team. But also modern cars and active drivers. So we can compare yesterday and today, but first of all it is a great rally holiday “.

You just have to walk the streets of Serravalle to understand. Far from detachments AND service park and intimate VIP access to modern motorsport, Rally Legend is open to all.

The entire area of ​​Serravalle is transformed into a giant garage that houses almost 200 cars. Thus, we see the mechanics of the official Toyota team, who normally work in the WRC, alongside the Hungarian amateurs preparing their Lada 2101 from SEV. And we meet a factory Volkswagen Golf II GTI 16v at the gas station…

In short, here we can detail and touch the cars we dreamed about. But also meet the great pilots. So, this year Finn Juha Kankunen came to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his last world championship title. The guest list also includes François Delecourt (1994 Monte Carlo winner), Piero Latti (1997), the family of the legendary Colin McRae, Jari-Matti Latvala and David Richards.

The latter came to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the debut of his creation – Subaru Impreza – in the rally. And you only have to close your eyes in the service park to hear the guttural click of this legendary car: ” It’s a really really evocative sound, admits the managera boxer is recognized this way when you hear him walking in the forest or coming down a mountain… »

A unique atmosphere in the special

The narrow borders of the small republic (61 km2) unite 13 special events spread over three days, many times more convenient than in classic rallies. This allows fans to quickly move from one point of interest to another. The roads also offer selective asphalt, which emphasizes talent and mechanics.

And the atmosphere in the special areas is feverish. Among the most popular passages, we note the Italian pilot Paulo Dian. Not too worried about his time, he entertains the crowd with his endless (and smoky) drifts aboard his specially prepared Fiat 131 Abarth. Obviously the applause counter also jumps every time a Lancia Stratos, Audi Quattro S1, BMW M3 or Mitsubishi Lancer passes by… But also a Traban or a few microscopic Fiat 126s.

The rapid onset of night at this time also allows you to enjoy “sound and light”. Exhausts on fire, strips of headlights tearing through the darkness with their sharp light, smoke from the most excited spectators… An atmosphere that is dreamed of by everyone who has experienced the beauty of this discipline.

Rally legend: practical information

Entrance fee to headquarters: €40 per weekend

Usual date: mid-October

Our tip: stay in Rimini, 30 minutes away

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