On Nov. 17, the 2024 Hainan Open International Classic Cars event began in Sanya. Over 60 classic cars from sixteen countries started their engines at Dadonghai Plaza in Sanya and began their journey around the island of Hainan, passing through Changjiang, Haikou, Wenchang, Wanning, and other cities and counties, and will complete the tour at CNSC Sanya International Duty Free Plaza on Nov. 21.

The classic cars participating in the event were all made between 1910 and 1974, with an average car age of 70. Lovers of classic cars will enjoy seeing the many different makes and models, which include Bentley, Jaguar, Ferrari, and many other popular cars from all around the world. The oldest is a 98-year-old Bugatti race car!

The event is a rally, not a speed race. The average speed generally does not exceed 60 km/h, and the results are determined according to accurate time control, point control, and route control between race points.

The venerable International Classic Cars rally originated in Europe and the US, and is now popular worldwide. It's worth mentioning that the Hainan rally is the third themed route event created by FIVA (Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens) in China. Since 2011, FIVA China has designed two themed routes, the China Rally and the YRD Open, and held over ten classic car rallies, playing an important role in promoting China’s automotive culture and developing the nation's classic car industry.

Zong Gui'an, president of FIVA China, said that the International Classic Cars rally is a feast of culture and tourism that combines car culture with fashion and travel, and that Sanya has unique ecological advantages and is rich in tourism resources. Zong looks forward to a long-term relationship with Sanya and hopes to continue expanding the International Classic Cars rally, creating a large-scale Sanya event combining culture, tourism, and sports that will impact the entire province of Hainan and send ripples out across the world.

"Sanya is beautiful and warm. We fell in love with the city," said Jos van Genugten, the driver of a 1936 Ford V8.

Classic cars, which were originally valued as a means of transportation, have now become works of art and collectibles. They are a tangible record of the development trajectory of the automotive industry and the aesthetic styles of different periods, showing the brilliance of human civilization.

(Photos courtesy of Sanya Daily)