THE STORY OF 2013
The organization, much like in 2003 for the 50th edition, wants to create another remarkable edition with some new elements. Back then, they started abroad for the first time (in Aix-les-Bains), and it was such a success that this concept continued well beyond the 50th anniversary edition and expanded successfully in the following years. The Committee overseeing the Tulpenrallye had a lengthy meeting at the Bergpaviljoen in Amersfoort and ultimately decided on a drastically different concept. After 19 editions of the International Historic Tulpenrallye finishing in Noordwijk, the 2024 edition will not conclude in Noordwijk but abroad. The start will still be in Noordwijk (which hasn’t happened in 10 years), but the finish is planned at one of the most iconic places in the country where the Tulpenrallye has covered the most kilometers: the Cote d’Azur. The 5-star Palais de la Mediterranée hotel on Boulevard des Anglais in Nice is booked for the finish and festive prize-giving.
Frank Pauli will become the new chairman of the organizing committee and the Tulpenrallye Foundation. Frank has been part of the organization for 27 years, mainly focusing on communication and event commerce. He takes over this role from Abe van den Brink, who will continue as part of the organization and remains the competition director of the Tulpenrallye.
Organizing this remarkable route presents a number of challenges, but ultimately, they are all overcome. With over 225 (!) participating teams (registration filled up immediately), they gather this time on Saturday in Noordwijk and drive a Prologue that day, starting from the Tulpenrallye Sprint on the boulevard in Noordwijk, which includes a test at Slotemaker’s slipschool on the Circuit van Zandvoort. On this day, the PartnerRallye is also held for sponsors’ guests, featuring a scenic route through the head of North Holland (where more tulips bloom at that time than in the bulb region).
Saturday evening hosts a jubilee dinner in the Pickézaal of Grand Hotel “Huis ter Duin”, where significant participants from the history of the Tulpenrallye, such as Count Hugo van Zuylen van Nijevelt, Bert Dolk, and Renger Guliker, share their stories. 740 people attend the dinner. The festivities peak when Johnny and the Gangster of Love drive into the halls of “Huis ter Duin” with their Cadillac and provide a dazzling performance.
Early on Sunday morning (at 07:01), the start takes place, and participants face a long route for the day, including a substantial stretch on the highways of the Netherlands. They exit the highway near Breda and begin navigation sections. After a lunch near Genk, participants reach Mondorf-les-Bains in Luxembourg by evening. On Monday, participants head to Horbourg-Wihr in the French Vosges, and Tuesday evening sees dinner in Bourg-en-Bresse, featuring the traditional Bresse chicken served in a large tent at the Rugby club premises.
Tuesday’s route is the longest in this edition; participants spend over 11 hours in the car. For those in the Expert class, it’s even longer, as they also undertake the evening leg this day. Wednesday’s route leads to Grenoble. Planning the routes for Thursday and Friday presents a significant challenge. Despite the beautiful rally area along the Route Napoleon, there are scarcely any hotels. After considering various options, they decide on a beautiful route for Thursday, mostly along the Route Napoleon and through several ski areas. The Crêt de Chatillon (1699 meters) is the highest point of this Tulpenrallye, and by the end of the day, participants can catch a glimpse of the Mediterranean Sea from their cars. The finish that evening is in the French tech region of Sophia-Antipolis, not far as the crow flies from the finish in Nice.
Friday brings another stunning route. Participants are taken to one of the most characteristic rally locations in Europe—the top of the Col de Turini (1674 meters), where the “night of the long knives” is held during the Monte Carlo Rally. For Expert participants, a challenging regularity test is set up at the top of the Col de Turini, where the standings will ultimately be decided. After lunch, participants descend the Col de Turini and then drive the Formula 1 street circuit route in Monaco. From there, they head to Nice, where the finish is organized along Boulevard des Anglais by the Mediterranean. An evening celebration at Lido Plage on the beach precedes the participants changing for the festive prize-giving at Palais de la Mediterranée. A large truck from the Netherlands, containing evening wear for all guests (as most participants cannot transport these in their rally cars), is stationed in front of the hotel.
Key participants include Robert Verweij / Maarten Verweij, Maarten van Lith / Peter van Hoof, Renger Guliker / Pim ’t Hart, Michel Perridon / Maurits Verhoeff, Susanne and Bart Tonino, Rinus Sinke / Bart den Hartog, Harm Lamberigts / Peter Rovers, Paul Zweers / Arjan van der Palen, Leo Vrijland / Bas de Rijk, and Koen Bender / Willem van Leeuwen.
The battle for the Coupe Rallye des Tulipes is particularly intense this year. By Thursday evening, Vrijland / de Rijk are in the lead, but the margin with Bender / van Leeuwen is less than one checkpoint. Vrijland / de Rijk miss a checkpoint in the final leg on Friday, and the regularity test on the Col de Turini will determine the outcome. The average speed is set at 40 km/h, and it’s quite foggy. The distance meter cable in Koen Bender’s MG breaks during the test, and they continue without using that meter. Ultimately, this is enough to secure the victory.
The team of Koen Bender and Willem van Leeuwen in an MG A Twincam from 1959 win the 60th edition of the Tulpenrallye. It’s the first-ever victory of an MG in the Tulpenrallye! Leo Vrijland / Bas de Rijk (2nd) and Paul Zweers / Arjan van der Palen (3rd) are close behind, less than one checkpoint apart. The Sport class is surprisingly won by Jerry and Anita Perquin. Michiel Hehenkamp and Ron Nakken achieve a remarkable feat by winning the Touring class with the Vintage Bentley. Marcel Geurts and Alfons Geurts convincingly win the Vintage class.
During the gala dinner at Palais de la Méditerranée, winners from different classes are announced and honored. The tradition of “Huis ter Duin” is maintained at the finish in Nice. The winning car of Bender / van Leeuwen is also brought into the dining hall. Due to fire regulations in Nice, the car cannot drive itself and is pushed in—a fitting end to a beautiful adventure. Participants have enjoyed themselves but also express their desire to finish in Noordwijk again at the next edition.
