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If there Is one word to describe the advent of this rally it would be ‘inevitable’. Why? Happy Few Racing was one of the first to spot and exploit (or ‘cater for’) a contracting universe. While other event organisers were casting their nets ever wider and more randomly to fill ambitious entry lists, this outfit spotted that smaller numbers of more ‘connected’ people with more in common with each other would appeal more to a certain type of enthusiast than a cast of thousands.
Hence in 2012, Laurent Blomet and Achille Delahaye masterminded their first event, Rallye Père-Fils, with a mere 13 crews. It was a fairly casual French-based long-weekend classic car gathering hoping to create a bunch of happy memories, and to make sure those memories were shared, the entry criteria as the name suggests stipulating that each car must be crewed by a father and son. The event was a roaring success – peaking at 80 cars a couple of years later and now limited to 65 – and established itself over several years.
When Happy Few decided to branch out, its follow-up event was even more niche. PadreFiglio was created in 2016 and shared the same basic concept – father and son, long weekend – but in Italy. And they had to be in a Ferrari.
Oh, and to ensure the event enjoyed plenty of variety and wasn’t awash with one type, the organisers accepted only one example of each model. If they already had a 250 GTO signed up, too bad, you couldn’t take yours… or you would just have to take your SWB instead, or buy another Ferrari not already on the list.
So now to the inevitable bit. For 2020 the concept is moving to Germany with – you guessed it – VaterUndSohn (and no-one needs Google Translate to work that out). Obviously a suitably teutonic marque needed to be chosen and they have plumped for Porsche. The event will employ the same no-model-repetition stipulation as Padre-Figlio, but it remains to be seen how macro the model designation can be (BMW would have been simpler, but that’s not the way Happy Few likes to do things!). Rest assured, it won’t be just one 356 and one 911 from all types, evolutions and eras.
Dubbed ‘100% Porsche, 100% father and son’, the event will take place in the Black Forest on 9-11 October. As Happy Few promises: ‘The program is built to give time to meet other crews, share very human moments, enjoy the ride of your car on selected routes, fine cuisine, and also the surprises the organisation has become renowed for.’
Starting in Baden-Baden, west of Stuttgart, the road rally will cover just over 150km in three days and participants won’t need any special equipment (except perhaps a calculator) or training. The organisers will provide a road book and it is a straightforward regularity – well, straightforward except that the location of the finishing line is a secret, so maintaining that average speed at all times is crucial.
There will be photographers and video teams capturing your experience, loads of general support plus a raft of ‘on-demand’ services, from transporting your car or entry for your own service crew, to hiring a replacement Porsche should yours fail to proceed. The price includes accommodation and meals.
If all you are lacking is a son, don’t worry: Happy Few runs daughter-related events, too.