In 1913, one hundred years ago, the Alpine Rally was the toughest test of a car’s reliability and performance in Europe. Extreme temperatures and altitude, summit climbs of up to 7,400ft, and a rugged landscape peppered with water-filled gullies and hairpin bends. Probably one of the earliest examples of motorsport improving the breed and helping your marketing, the Rolls Royce Silver Ghost’s performance helped it to become known as ‘The Best Car In The World”
100 years later, the 20 Ghost Club are returning to the mountains to re-enact the original Alpine Rally with 47 models of the car. Formed in 1949 to protect these old cars, the 20 Ghost Club will be driving the entire route, with selected experienced members also tackling the infamous Loibl Pass, now off-limits to drivers, being opened especially for this rally. The Pass is still the steepest of all the passes, with unusually steep and sharp hairpin bends that rise 2,300ft in three miles.
Forty-seven Silver Ghosts, all made between 1909 and 1926, are entering the Centenary Trial. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited is entering a ‘Works Team’, comprising the original Radley car which won the 1913 Rally (named after adventurer James Radley) and a new Centenary Collection Ghost ‒ a limited edition Bespoke collection which pays tribute to the 1913 Alpine Trial cars. More than 150 participants are taking part from 12 countries, including Australia, America and Hong Kong as well as the UK.
More details on the 20 Ghost Club on their website at http://www.20-ghost.org/
