Santa Cruz Hosts Classic Motorsport Event with Urban Circuit
The capital of Tenerife, Santa Cruz, recently transformed its streets into a vibrant urban circuit, celebrating the rich history of classic motorsport. This event, reminiscent of the golden era of racing, attracted thousands of spectators as 78 classic vehicles paraded along Avenida Benito Pérez Armas and Rambla Reyes Católicos, beginning from Avenida de Madrid.
The XXIV Clásica Tenerife wrapped up two weekends filled with thrilling motorsport action and historical significance. The event featured five stages that traversed both conventional roads and breathtaking landscapes in La Palma and Tenerife, allowing participants to experience diverse terrains, from volcanic landscapes to lush greenery. Nearly 200 individuals were involved in this unique blend of sport and tourism.
Competitive Spirit and Skill
At the heart of the Clásica Tenerife is a focus on regularity rather than outright speed, with participants showcasing their driving skills to achieve optimal times. Among the competitors were the previous two champions, who demonstrated their prowess throughout the event. Ultimately, the young duo of José Carlos Rendón and Samantha Montaner, driving a 1955 MG A, claimed victory for the second consecutive year. This competition is notably the only event in Spain recognized by the FIVA (International Federation of Vintage Cars) calendar. Despite losing some of their lead from La Palma during the initial stages in Tenerife, they skillfully managed their timings, finishing with a total of 342.5 points, ahead of David Liceras and Ainhoa Ayarra in a 1963 Volvo 1,800, who had previously won two years ago.
Rendón and Montaner topped Group E, while Liceras and Ayarra led Group F, showcasing the competitive nature of the event.
Podium Finishers and Rising Talent
Completing the podium were Alberto Amaral and José A. Campos in a Mini Cooper 5, who scored 472.0 points. They were followed closely by Jochen Sieper and Nicolás Sánchez in a Lancia Fluvia 1.6, who finished with 488.8 points, and Cristina Montes de Oca alongside Cristina Rodríguez in a Triumph TR6, who ended with 500.5 points. Notably, José Carlos Rendón, the father of the reigning champion, and Francisco García finished sixth with the oldest car in the competition, a 1948 Jaguar XK 120. Miguel Ángel Arvelo and Eva Cologan secured eighth place overall and first in Group G with their Volkswagen 1303 Cabrio, scoring 885.5 points.
In the tourism category, debutants Álvaro Álvarez and Ángel Afonso, the youngest participants driving a 1965 MG B, made a remarkable impression by taking the lead upon their arrival in Tenerife. They followed a stage win by Tracy Morales and Carmelo Trujillo in La Palma. Álvaro expressed his surprise and excitement, stating, “We had no idea, but when we saw ourselves at the top, we started to manage our times well and won with the luck of debutants,” just before the awards ceremony, which was relocated from García Sanabria Park to Hotel Taburiente due to light rain.
Finishing second in the tourism category were Antonio Sosa and Alonso Méndez, also driving an MG B, with a score of 533.3 points, highlighting a significant resurgence of the MG brand in the current market.
Support and Sponsorship
The 24th edition of the Clásica Tenerife received sponsorship from various councils, including those of Tenerife and La Palma, as well as the municipalities of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, La Laguna, Santa Cruz de La Palma, Los Llanos de Aridane, and Breña Baja. Corporate sponsors included Canaauto and Caixabank. Notable attendees on the final day included Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez and several councillors, some of whom participated as co-drivers in modern Ferraris. The event was also supported by the Tenerife Automobile Federation, the Santa Cruz Local Police, and Civil Protection, who ensured safety throughout the 2.7-kilometre course, which was filled with motorsport enthusiasts. Mayor Bermúdez expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “There’s a tremendous passion for motorsport in Tenerife; we must do this again,” during a conversation with RACT president, Miguel Hernández Calzadilla.
