Seventy-year-old engines, and some even older, broke the quiet at Langreo’s Cisvial circuit as the international “Vintage El Clavel” rally brought rare pre-1945 cars back to the track. For a few hours, the air filled with the distinctive sound of combustion, a striking scene in an era dominated by electric vehicles.
This was far from a typical race. Thirty-five carefully preserved classics, including a 1923 Bentley 3 Litre Supercharged and a 1929 Chrysler 75 Roadster, faced tests of skill and regularity, with speed also measured. Organized by the Leeds-based British company “Rally the Globe,” the event is less about winning than the shared thrill of driving history along northern Spain’s winding roads. The Cisvial circuit in Langreo was a basic stage of the vintage rally, bringing attention to Asturias as a destination for historic motorsport.
The rally’s route covers roughly 1,500 kilometers, from Las Caldas in Oviedo to the Palacio de la Magdalena in Santander, while avoiding highways. Participants handle secondary roads and private circuits, ending each day at a different luxury hotel. José María Manmana, part of the organizing team, says the rally puts social connection and enjoyment alongside competition. “These are rallies of social activity and enjoyment. Each night is spent in a different, very elegant hotel, and during the day there are two or three competitive stages,” he says. The rallies showcase historic vehicles rather than pure speed, bringing tourism together with motorsport.
Support is extensive: doctors and mechanics travel with the group, alongside marshals and judges. If a prized classic breaks down, its owner can continue the journey in a rental car, though they are no longer eligible for prizes. “If our mechanics can’t repair it, you can continue with a normal rental car and do all the stages, just without receiving the prize,” Manmana notes. The emphasis is on completing the experience, not winning the race.
At Cisvial, the rally’s Spanish stop, drivers tackled a timed course before heading to exclusive restaurants and then their next hotel. Prizes are symbolic: perhaps a bottle of champagne for the car that broke down most often, or for the most charming team. Camaraderie matters as much as competition.
For Langreo Motor Club, hosting the rally is a strategic win. Sasi Pardeiro, representing the club, explains its significance: “For us, it’s impressive that these cars pass through here, that such a prestigious rally remembers northern Spain and specifically Langreo. Having them come to Cisvial for a timed stage is a source of satisfaction.”
The rally’s arrival in Langreo comes as Spain’s automotive field rapidly evolves. Historic engines roar at Cisvial while manufacturers like Volkswagen set new benchmarks in electric and hybrid production, as reported earlier. Past and future share the road: one celebrates heritage, while the other pursues new idea.
Events like “Vintage El Clavel” put rare machinery on display and strengthen Spain’s profile as a destination for international automotive tourism. They also keep the appeal of classic engineering in view. The rally concludes with a gala dinner in Santander as the industry accelerates toward a quieter, electrified future. For Langreo and the region, hosting the rally puts them on the map in the developing story of European motoring.
