What could be better? Some of the best rally cars in history and world champions to drive them. Northern Italy’s finest food, a monster about to be led to the underworld and the Danilo Rossini DJ Show.
Welcome to Mythical Cars Rally and welcome to Varzi. The party starts on Friday and finishes in the early hours of Sunday (May 28) morning.
In between the Asilo Republic concert and the La Rebelle Streetwear Fashion Show, there will be some of the finest rally action across three of the most exciting decades of the World Rally Championship.
And anybody hoping to sneak in with a late entry to Italy’s newest and most exciting event is going to be disappointed. Mythical Cars Rally is officially full.
Who’s coming?
Flying Finns Marcus Grönholm and Timo Rautiainen will be reunited in a rally car for the first time in four years – they’ll be back in a Subaru Impreza WRC for the first time in 14 years. This pair won two world titles in three years at the top of the 2000s and remain among rallying’s most popular and charismatic competitors.
Son of Jimmy, brother of Colin and now father of Max, Alister McRae is one of the world’s finest rally drivers in his own right. The former British and Asia Pacific champion will be one of the most popular drivers in Varzi, especially with the myth of his Mythical Car… the top Scot takes the wheel of one of the Group A Subaru Impreza 555s beautifully prepared by Italian firm BEST Impreza.
And if you thought the McRae Impreza sounded good, try this… Andreas Mikkelsen’s back in a Škoda Fabia S2000 – the car which launched the World Rally winner’s career. Mikkelsen demonstrated his top of the table appeal with a stunning run to the WRC2 podium at Rally of Portugal earlier this month.
Burcu Çetinkaya will be another star worth watching. The Turkish driver runs a Mini R4 – the turbocharged four-wheel drive car fitted with one of ORECA’s kits.
Top Italian privateer Alessandro Gino brings the field right up to date with his Citroën C3 WRC. The car eight-time world champion Sébastien Ogier campaigned through 2019 is a huge draw across the board – Mythical Cars Rally will be no different.
The quality just keeps on coming, right the way through a sell-out entry list.
Mythical Cars Rally advisor Andrea Adamo said: “When we started work on this event, we wanted a rally which captured the imagination of fans from the 1990s right up until the end of the World Rally Car era in 2019. We’ve done that.
“We’ve got every category covered with Group A, Super 1600, Kit Cars, R-GT, Super 2000 and, of course, the World Rally Cars.
“This is going to be a very, very special rally. Honestly, I don’t have any idea who will win, but if you are here, if you are watching, listening and loving this incredible generation in our sport, then you will be a winner.
“We are bringing this event to the people. For families, we have entertainment in the service park and when it goes dark, we have some amazing music and DJs coming. It’s going to be a special party.
“And we’re sold out! We had space for 35 cars, no more. We’ve managed to fit 37 in… just! We can’t take any more cars. Basically, we have only so much space in the service park in Varzi and, really, we are very full now!”
Full entry list available here.
What’s going on – off the stages?
Friday May 26
- The Theatre of Fantasizing children’s performance runs in the service park (1900/2030/2200)
- Mythical DJ show (2100-2200)
- Mythical Cars Rally Best Voices (2200-2330)
- Danilo Rossini DJ Show (2330-0030)
Saturday May 27
- La Rebelle Streetwear Fashion Show (2230-2320)
- Marcello Agostelli DJ show (2330-0030)
What makes Varzi special?
Varzi sits in Lombardy’s Oltrepò Pavese region – a place rich in history, wine, culture and cuisine. The medieval town center can trace its history back eight centuries. Every street and every street corner has a story to tell and a picture to paint.
That was yesterday. Today, Varzi offers a typically stunning northern Italian experience. Surrounded by the beautiful Oltreò countryside, this region is often referred to as the Tuscany of the North.
And the food and drink more than matches the vista. This is Lombardy’s biggest wine-producing area, with red and white readily available – the most popular locally are Bonarda and Buttafuoco. And, as you would imagine with this part of the world, the food is pretty special too. Varzi salami is known the world over and has to be tried to be believed, it’s outstanding.
Add in local truffles, cheeses and exceptional pasta with wild boar and you’ll understand what makes Oltrepò an absolute mecca for all things eating.
The rally itself
Based out of Varzi and running across some of the Lombardy’s most spectacular and famous stages, the route is tailored to showcase the best aspects rallying and the stunning surroundings.
The all-asphalt event is split across two days. The organizer is running an innovative, seven-hour shakedown stage through Friday May 26, with the opening test set for 7.48pm that evening. Saturday brings six more stages and a total of 78 competitive kilometers.
