Grand Prix of South America
HOME » Magazine » February 2026 » Rally News » Grand Prix of South America
Driving in the wheel tracks of such icons as Fangio and the Galvez brothers, Bespoke Rallies will stage a re-evocation of the legendary 1948 Grand Prix of South America from October 22 to November 25, 2026. Flagged off by Fangio’s son, Oscar Fangio, in a dramatic midnight departure from Buenos Aires, entrants will navigate nearly 11,000kms through some of South America’s most spectacular and challenging terrain, crossing Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia, and concluding in the vibrant coastal city of Cartagena.
John Brigdon and his team at Bespoke Rallies have devised a 32-day adventure featuring 2 start days, 20 driving days, 8 rest days, and a celebratory finale. Participants will enjoy VIP receptions in cities along the route, support from local car clubs, and a place in motorsport history.
The rally will honour the original incident in the 1948 Buenos Aires–Caracas road race, when drivers became known as “Knights of the Road” because some stopped racing to help others after serious accidents instead of chasing victory. On the long Stage 7 in Peru, Fangio’s car crashed badly in the dark. Rival drivers such as Eusebio Marcilla and the Gálvez brothers stopped to rescue Fangio and his injured co-driver rather than continue flat-out, an act that likely cost them a top result but earned the “El Caballero del Camino” sobriquet.
The legendary Stage 7 incident will be symbolically recreated by supporting fellow competitors in need. A special title, “El Caballero del Camino” (Knight of the Road), will be awarded on the last night’s dinner in 2026.
Mechanical, medical, and logistical support ensures safety and vehicle integrity throughout and full coordination with border authorities is pre-arranged.
“The Grand Prix of South America remains a coveted event for many seasoned rally drivers. Re-tracing the route promises an extraordinary experience for all participants—veterans and novices alike. Having already revived the original adventure once, we’re confident that the 2026 edition will be even more thrilling and will forge friendships that last a lifetime,” commented Brigdon.
These stories are all from the pages of Historic Motor Racing News. Some have been abbreviated for this web site. If you'd like to receive the full version, please visit our subscription page where you will find postal subscriptions available. A full subscription also entitles you to access the current issue online (available soon), so you can take it with you and read it anywhere, and we are working on providing full access to our archives of back issues exclusively for our subscribers.