Hi, As mentioned in the previous post, we held another rally on May 22-24, 2013 from Tehran to Mazandaran province and back via Gilan province, hence, 'Tehran -Gilmaz'. We had 60 cars sign up, and based on the confidence some of the owners gained from the previous rally, some of them brought out their more higher end iron, ranging from a Khamsin to a 356 A. We also had our good friend from Munich Cafe Racers, Claus Mueller join us. Claus is a veteran of the Mille Miglia, Carrerra Pan America , California Mille etc, and the former organizer of the Classic Mobil classic car event , as well as an specialist in Ford Model A. Claus was on hand to provide his insight in our rally, and , being accompanied by his family, to enjoy the ride along side us. You can read his musings in : Car Guy Chronicles: CAR GUYS RALLYE IN IRAN: CITY TO SEA!. This years rally was a three day affair, starting from Tehran to the city of Ramsar by the Caspain Sea, a tour to Rasht on the second day, and contninuing the rally back to Tehran on the third day. I hope you enjoy the ride as much as we did. The first series of pictures are courtesy of Cafe Racer Mohammad Razaghi. Here is a cool BMW 6 series Alpina entering the gateway for the start of the rally. Regards, Ramin Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi, This Gullwing came for the start, but did not compete. Its owner chose to participate in a gorgeous Mercedes Pagoda. Its a pleasure to have someone along who really enjoys driving his cars. Regards, Ramin Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi, This cool Khamsin took part in the rally. The car went the whole route (975 km) without a hitch. The owner takes fantastic care of his car, but I think that this dispels some of the myths about reliability issues on this era of Maserati cars. Regards, Ramin Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi, The first car out was this advance car. It left an hour before the rally to check for any obstacles on the route. It was manned by Emad Radmanesh who was one of the key organizers of last years rally. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi, The rally starts. The lady in the picture is Laleh Seddigh, female racing champion of Iran who was a ground breaker for the participation of women in motosports in Iran. As with last year, she was kind enough to join us and serve as rally marshall. Regards, Ramin Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi, One of the best aspects about our rallies is that it is not uncommon for families to participate. As its 2am in my neck of the woods, will follow up with the rest of the rally report shortly. Regards, Ramin Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi, I fully agree. In my view the E24 has aged much more gracefully than expected. Here are Claus Mueller and the Secretariat of the Classic Car Commitee of the Auto Federation, Kamran Khorrampour in one of the support vehicles. Kamran wa responsible for designinng the route of the rally, and it well exceeded expectations. On the way to Ramsar we had beautiful winding and twisting mountain roads and on the way back rice we passed long flat palateuas with rice fields, tea plantations and the like. Thanks to him I discovered some really cool new driving roads to exercise the cars. Regards, Ramin Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi, As the rally started on Wedensday (Thursday and Friday are our weekends) some of the cars hit the tail end of the morning rush hour. The 70 Mustang has a 427 in it ! I had never before seen a car break its tail out in 4th gear. Enjoy, Ramin PS This series of pictures courtesy of Tehran Cafe Racer Omid Azar Zamani Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi, Finally breaking out of the city and hitting the mountain roads. Regards, Ramin Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi, Rally stop. Left and right hand drive TR6's. Both cars served as rally control cars , the righ hand drive one run by Fathali Esfandiari, Vice President of the Classic Car Committe and the other one by Mehran Afshar, former Secretariat of the Classic Car Commitee. Regards, Ramin Pictires are courtesy of Tehran Cafe Racer Mohammad Razzaghi Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi, Another shot of the TR6's. The guy on the right is Mehran. Regards, Ramin Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi, Back on the road with back to back Vettes. Regards Ramin Picture courtesy of Tehran Cafe Racers Omid Azar Zamani Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi, As we reach the city of Kelrdasht, the route became more challenging. Here is 356 negotiaing the curves. Every rally has a picture which epitomizes the spirit of the rally. Last year it was the picture I posted of the TR6 negoting the hill. This year, in my view its this picture. Photo courtesy of Tehran Cafe Racer Mohmmad Razzaghi. Regards, Ramin Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi, Lunch break. Two generations of Camaro's a 69 and a Baldwin Motion. Regards, Ramin Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi, After a nice catered lunch, back on the road again. Regards, Ramin PS: Next set of pictures courtesy of Tehran Cafe Racer Mohammad Razzaghi. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi, There is nothing like the unmuffled sound coming out of the side pipes of a Joel Rosen prepared LS6 454 Motion Camaro, especially when you lift off the gas in the down hill portions of a twisty mountain road. Regards, Ramin Image Unavailable, Please Login
Only to have the whole experience ruined by a total wiper failure when it begins to rain and your co-driver has to hang out the window and manually wipe so you can see ahead of you ! Kids don't try this at home. Regards, Ramin Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi, Nearing the hotel. The Hotel was the Kowsar Hotel in Ramsar. It was less than 200 meters from the Caspian. In the evenings the drivers would sit by the shore and bench race till the wee hours. Regards, Ramin PS this series of pictures courtesy of Tehran Cafe RAcer Omid Azar Zamani Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi, Car No. 1, this 57 Ford Skyliner enters the hotel parking lot. This car had one of the most consistant times throughout the rally, and I would't be surprised if it placed among the top 5. In a field of competitors which had eveything from Maserati's to Musclecars, it shows in these kind of TSD rallies, its not just the car, but the driver and navigator that make all the difference. Regards, Ramin Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi, The cars begin to get tucked in one by one for a well deserved rest. Regards, Ramin Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi, As dusk sets in, the last few cars arrive at the hotel. That's the end of day one of the rally. Will follow-up with day 2 and day 3 pics shortly. Regards, Ramin Image Unavailable, Please Login
