The oldest car rally of the Netherlands
Partners of Tulpenrallye
The Tulpenrallye
In 1948, Maurice (Maus) Gatsonides, the Netherlands’ most famous rally driver at the time, speaks to French Simcar driver Marc Angelvin after an Alpine Tour Rally. Over a glass of fine wine, they discuss why no international rallies have yet been held in the Netherlands. Gatso brings up that there are no mountains in the Low Countries to run rallies. Angelvin then said that from the Netherlands you can drive anywhere and that the Tulips could be a nice symbol for a rally. In 1949, the Regional Automobile Club West (R.A.C.-WEST) organized a Rallye des Tulipes. So the basis of the rally was in France and hence the name Tulip Rallye with an e at the end.
In 2024, the Tulpenrallye celebrated its 75th anniversary.
We now stand on the eve of the 72nd Tulpenrallye since the first edition started in 1949. The 72nd edition will take place from 3 May 2026, featuring a beautiful route mainly along the eastern border of France.
The Tulpenrallye 2026 will also feature an exciting first: the Pre-2000, a 4-day rally for cars built before the year 2000. It will run alongside the 72nd Tulpenrallye and share the same locations and stops along the way.
For the very oldest cars, there is the Pre-1960, also a 4-day rally. It is characterised not only by its historic cars, but also by its more relaxed schedule, with driving between 08:30 and 17:00, and routes featuring fewer unpaved roads and tight corners.
If you would like to learn more about the history of the Tulpenrallye or browse through historical photos and videos, visit Tulpenrallyehistory.com — a special website created to mark the rally’s 60th anniversary.
For more information about the upcoming edition, please visit the pages under the Tulpenrallye menu.
