Old Cars in 320km Tehran-Abyaneh Rally

Touring and Automobile Club of Iran has planned a rally with old cars. Slated for Feb. 1-2, the rally commences in Tehran and, covering a distance of 320 km, will arrive in the ancient village of Abyaneh in Natanz County, Isfahan Province, before returning to the capital.

Only cars built at least 40 years ago will be admitted. “The event organizers seek to identify cars with historical value,” Mehr News Agency quoted director of the club Salman Yar-Mohammadi as saying.

Other purposes of the rally, Yar-Mohammdi said, are promotion of tourism and help promote a safe and lawful driving culture.

“The rally is by no means a speed race. Winners will be selected according to the criteria of navigation and driving etiquettes … The rally will be presided by a group of experienced judges.” he said.

Regarding driving etiquettes, he added: “Every improper move by the driver will result in negative points. Speeding, illegal overtaking and zigzagging are among such moves.”

“A total of 120 people will participate in the rally with 40 trio teams in 40 cars. Each team has one driver, one navigator and an assistant,” he said.

The rally will follow the rules and regulations set by Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) for its mission ‘Mobility.’ The mission is to ensure that safe, affordable and clean systems of transport are available to all.

The FIA is committed to working with its motoring and touring clubs and alongside authorities and other stakeholders to achieve accessible, sustainable and safe mobility for all, according to Fia.com.

“The rally will pass along public roads. It starts from Niavaran Cultural Center (in north Tehran) and follows the highways of Tehran-Qom and Qom-Kashan, as well as the roads to Natanz and Abyaneh,” Yar-Mohammdi noted.

Abyaneh, the destination village, will accommodate the drivers for the night. During their return, they will pass by the ancient site of Tepe Sialk near Kashan before arriving in Tehran.

To take part those interested can visit the website of the Touring and Automobile Club, Taci.ir until January 30. They can also refer to the secretariat of the rally at the office of the club in Tehran, located at No. 33, Fayyazbakhsh Street at the corner of Jahangardi Alley.