THE STORY OF 2021
The preparations for the 67th Tulpenrallye were well underway in early spring of 2020. With over 200 registrations, the registration closed early, and the organization decided to explore a different competition area. Based on a start in Bordeaux, the rally was planned to traverse mostly through new areas in the west and middle of beloved France in the first two days, before heading back towards the eastern side of France, passing through Luxembourg, and finishing at Chateau St. Gerlach in Valkenburg.
From the beginning of the year, it became clear that the COVID-19 virus was rapidly spreading. On Thursday, March 12, the organization was still in Bordeaux finalizing plans for the first days of the 67th Tulpenrallye. In this region of France, people were not yet very concerned about the new virus. However, later that day, the organization discussed possible scenarios based on the further developments of the virus. In the following days, the situation escalated quickly. That weekend, the first lockdowns were announced in several European countries, including the Netherlands on Sunday. The organization acted swiftly, particularly with the various hotels, and it soon became apparent that the likelihood of holding the Tulpenrallye in May of that year, according to tradition, was rapidly diminishing. Not long after, participants and other stakeholders were informed that the Tulpenrallye in May would not take place.
As an alternative, and based on various ideas that quickly developed during this time when everyone was at home, the Tulpenrallye Home Edition was held on the same days originally planned for the 67th Tulpenrallye. The route assignments closely matched the planning of this Tulpenrallye, and a large number of participants eagerly awaited the new challenges posted online each day. The festive prize-giving ceremony took place on Saturday via a Teams call.
The organization always plans the next Tulpenrallye edition more than a year in advance, so despite the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, activities for the 68th edition began in this strange time. Due to the uncertainty around corona, it was decided to organize the start closer to home: Frankfurt, Germany, is much closer than the recent starting locations and offers direct access to a beautiful rally area in Germany that connects with the favored rally area on the eastern side of France.
New dates for the 67th edition were set for October of that year, but it became clear in the second half of the summer that organizing an international rally through various countries in the fall would not be possible. Initially, it seemed that organizing a regularity rally with classic cars in the Netherlands would be feasible. The 2-day Tulpenrallye Dutch Edition was devised, and a large number of teams immediately signed up. However, the corona situation deteriorated rapidly in the Netherlands after the summer, leading to the cancellation of this Dutch Edition.
The next plan was then made to hold the 2020 edition in May 2021, on the dates originally planned for the 68th edition. However, corona was far from over, and with stricter measures at the beginning of 2021, it quickly became clear that May 2021 would also not be feasible. Fortunately, the situation improved rapidly thereafter, and this edition was eventually held in October 2021. The 67th edition took place a few weeks after virtually all measures had been lifted in the Netherlands, with exceptionally beautiful weather, and almost all participants who had registered for May 2020 appeared at the start in October 2021.
The Prologue for this Tulpenrallye was again organized at Autotron in Rosmalen, and Orange Babies was the supported charity for the second year by the Tulpenrallye. Gijs van Lennep was the ambassador for the charity. Kees van Loon joined the organizing committee.
The 67th Tulpenrallye started on Sunday, October 3, 2021, 1,050 kilometers away from Utrecht in Bordeaux. It was a special rally after all the COVID challenges and measures, and it was clear that all participants were extremely happy to be able to drive and navigate again. There were 179 teams at the start of this special Tulpenrallye.
The rally truly began on Monday morning. The route passed through the finish places Vichy, Beaune, Colmar, Luxembourg, and Valkenburg. The organization decided that the Expert class always starts last. It is important that the other classes finish in daylight (which is shorter in October compared to May): the Expert participants can handle some darkness. The route led northeast from Bordeaux. Throughout the day, participants drove on very quiet roads in a beautiful landscape. The route even included significant stretches of gravel and dirt roads. Simply put, it was a perfect rally area.
Tuesday was a tough day. It was raining and dark. Headlights and wipers were on. The pace was high, the roads were slippery, and to make matters worse, they were covered with gravel. Former Tulpenrallye winners slid off the road and were pulled out by their direct competitors, Harm Lamberigts and Bart den Hartog.
The last day was exciting in all classes. In the Expert class, Harm Lamberigts and Bart den Hartog occupied the lead. Positions two and three were still being contested. Ultimately, Robert Koomen and Rutger ter Borg secured second place.
Harm Lamberigts and Bart den Hartog won the “Coupe Rallye des Tulipes” in the Expert class of the Tulpenrallye 2021 with a comfortable lead.
In the Sporting class, Arthur Gräper and Michaël van Beukering took first place. In the Touring class, Wiebe de Ruijsscher and Tomas de Ruijsscher emerged victorious. The Vintage class was won by Laurens van der Velde and Janny van de Boel.
