During my recent trip to China, I participated in the International Classic Cars China Grand Tour 2015. This event saw a collection of representatives from FIVA (Federation International de Vehicules Anciens) national groups from all corners of the world gather in Wenzhou in China. The challenge was to drive a fleet of classic cars 750km from Wenzhou, via Ningbo and Hangzhou, to Shanghai over 4 days.
Did you know that in China, once a car reaches 10 years old, it gets crushed?
The purpose of the event was to showcase classic cars in China and to put forward a case to the Chinese Government to lift a ban on importing classic cars into the country. Additionally it aimed to persuade the Government to introduce exceptions to the 10 year rule, so that selected cars could be kept beyond their 10th birthday to preserve their heritage.
A total of around 25 cars took part in the event. Some of the cars belonged to the participants and were imported specially for this event. The other cars belong to the Classic Vehicle Union of China, who donated them to be driven on the event.
Participants came from 13 different countries (UK, Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, France, Germany, Cyprus, Mexico, Chile, Brazil and China).
The event was sponsored locally by a number of different companies, including the Liten Group, Sunshine Insurance Group, OneHome Hotels and many others.
In Wenzhou, the event was kicked off with a Press Conference following a formal Welcome Dinner in the Porsche showroom with evening entertainment. Lunch before the event was provided in Landrover and Jaguar showrooms before the rally proper started.
To see photos from the event, please visit the dedicated page in my Photo Gallery (under 2015) or click the link here.
MiniF1 | Photoblog 