Classics Head to Ayvalık This Time

The international "West Anatolian Historic Rally", organised by the Classic Automobile Club (Klasik Otomobil Kulübü) for the 18th time this year, will take place in the Aegean region from 16-19 May.

Starting from Ayvalık, classic car enthusiasts will tackle the scenic, forest-lined asphalt mountain roads between Güre and Bergama on their way to Çandarlı, before heading on to Cunda Island.

Having competed for Soma last year and donated its income to the education of children who lost relatives in the Soma disaster, the Classic Automobile Club will this year set out under the slogan "Let's Protect Our Olive Trees". The aim is to draw attention to the value of Ayvalık and its surroundings, one of the country's most precious olive-producing regions, and to contribute to the protection of its olive trees. Gathering to help safeguard the region's roughly 2 million olive trees and prevent the groves from disappearing, the classic car enthusiasts will cover a total of 450 kilometres over three days.

Dozens of classic car enthusiasts from Turkey and abroad will compete in the rally, which runs for three days between Ayvalık and Çandarlı. Dozens of cars of virtually art-work value, the oldest a 1947 model and the newest a 1985 model, will come together in Ayvalık. The entry will include Mercedes Benz, BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, Plymouth, Mercury, Cadillac, Alfa Romeo, Buick, Rolls Royce, Porsche and Citroen cars, and the rally is being staged with the support of Ayvalık Municipality, Nart Sigorta, Reklam Sepeti and Grand Otel Temizel.

The rally starts in Ayvalık on the first day and finishes on Cunda Island. The second leg, again starting from Ayvalık, will take place around the Güre-Çandarlı area. The third day will be held in and around Ayvalık, and those who finish on the podium will receive their awards at a ceremony on the evening of 18 May.

Club officials said: "The West Anatolian Historic Rally, first held in 1997, is celebrating its 18th year. The rally, which we run every year, makes a major contribution to promoting our country because of its international character. We will again have participants from abroad this year. In addition, to draw attention to the value of Ayvalık and its surroundings, one of our country's most precious olive-producing regions, and to contribute to the protection of olive trees, we are running our rally this year under the slogan 'Let's Protect Our Olive Trees'."