Via Flaminia Pre-War Anniversary: 20 years of rallying with a smile

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

If you’re a regular visitor to this website, chances are you’ve heard of the Via Flaminia rallies. These events, organized by the delightfully eccentric rally enthusiast Bart Kleyn, have been around for years — and we’ve been working with him for just as long. This year marks a special milestone: under the Via Flaminia banner, Bart has now been organizing Pre-War rallies for 20 years. To celebrate the anniversary, we sat down with him for a chat.

Getting in touch with rally organizers is usually easy, but pinning down a meeting is a different story. When we finally speak with Bart, he’s in Bari, fresh from meetings with both the mayor and the chief of police. “I found a beautiful spot for a stopover during the upcoming Via Flaminia,” he tells us, “but over the phone, I couldn’t get past the secretary.”

As always, Bart speaks with the same passion and enthusiasm that fuel his rally adventures.
“This is exactly how Via Flaminia began, back in 2005,” he recalls. “One of those wonderfully crazy ideas that everyone should have at least once in their life. And the best part? This idea stuck. People loved it — they wanted more.”

“Of course, I’d participated in plenty of rallies before, but organizing one is a completely different beast. At first, it was pretty overwhelming — the logistics, the people, the routes, the paperwork... But there was no turning back. I had to continue. And with my love for Italy and passion for Italian cars, what could make more sense than returning year after year with the Via Flaminia Rally?”

In the early days, there were no restrictions on the age of participating cars — anyone with a classic was welcome. But Bart had bigger ambitions:
“Eventually, you want more. After driving so many rallies, often in my beloved Lancia Aprilia, it felt like time for a new chapter: Pre-War rallies. The idea for a dedicated Pre-War edition was born in 2011 — and the very first one was a hit.”

Was it an immediate success like the earlier rallies?
“Of course, I was nervous that first time — especially with such seasoned participants. But the combination of breathtaking roads, warm Italian hospitality, unique locations, and a relaxed pace created an atmosphere that was truly magical.”

And the enthusiasm never waned: “I got hooked on the Pre-War bug myself. By now, I’m the proud owner of not one, but two 1928 Lancia Lambda Spider MM Casaros. Yeah, you can definitely call me crazy — I’ve come to terms with that.”

That first Italian adventure was just the beginning.
“Italy keeps surprising me. As an organizer, you never run out of wonder — the Apennines are a treasure trove of forgotten roads and hidden gems. But even in a place as stunning as this, eventually, your eyes wander further.”

And so came the expansions: to Greece, the Balkans, Georgia, Morocco, the Andes, France... and the list keeps growing.

In May 2026, two back-to-back Pre-War rallies are on the calendar — and registration is already open. First comes the Via Hellenica, winding through Greece and finishing in Bari, Italy. On that very same day, the Via Flaminia kicks off from the exact same city. If you love spirited driving with a hint of competition (or none at all), and the idea of traveling with a small group of kindred spirits appeals to you, this could be the rally for you and your Pre-War beauty.

For more information or to register, visit the Via Flaminia website.

Make a comment, ask a question, give your opinion, share additional information or start a discussion by filling in the fields below.