47 classic cars race in Istanbul's Cumhuriyet Rally
The Classic Car Sports Club's Cumhuriyet Rally took place in Istanbul on October 23-24. Forty-seven cars built between 1954 and 1989 took part, with Çiğdem-Cengiz Kabatepe finishing first overall.
The Cumhuriyet Rally, organized by the Classic Car Sports Club (KOK), was held in Istanbul on October 23-24, 2026. The oldest of the 47 classic cars entered was built in 1954, and the newest in 1989.
The club is affiliated with FIVA and TOSFED, and the event was accredited to its 2026 racing calendar. It was the last race of the classic car season. The club says these events aim to preserve classic vehicles and pass car culture on to future generations.
First day: From Swissotel to Florentia Village
After breakfast and a driver briefing at the Swissotel on Friday, October 23, the rally started at 10:00. The morning sky cleared in places, but rain set in over the Sarıyer hills. Competitors stopped for lunch at Laurel Restaurant in Sarıyer, then completed the stages of the day's second section and finished the first day at Florentia Village.
Day two and the Birol Altınkılıç Memorial Stage
On Saturday, October 24, the 47 cars set off again from Florentia Village at 11:00 and competed on the rally's final stages. Crews kept to traffic rules and speed limits. According to the organizers, Istanbul traffic was the only real challenge of the day.
One of the stages was named after Birol Altınkılıç, founder of the Altınmarka (Kahve Dünyası) group, which has supported the club for years. Altınkılıç is the father of club member Kaan Altınkılıç. The stage was called the "Birol Altınkılıç Memorial Stage."
The rally ended with a gala and awards ceremony at the Swissôtel on the evening of October 24. The overall winners were Çiğdem-Cengiz Kabatepe.
This article was compiled with the help of AI from information published by CarMedya.
