welcome to: lancia sliding pillar

about the 2005 edition
about the 2004 edition
about the 2002 edition
about the 2001 first european sliding pillar meeting
about the original sliding pillar rally

The 2003 edition

the sliding pillar family

What we best remember about the most recent edition of the Sliding Pillar rally, more than a month ago already in Houffalize in the Belgian Ardennes, was the atmosphere of a big family party.

This feeling has indeed grown stronger year by year ever since we first rolled up our sleeves to organise the 'First European Sliding Pillar Rally'. It all began in the summer of 2000 when, supported by the Rudler twins Ade and Ed, we first had the idea of bringing together twenty or so old (sliding pillar) Lancias somewhere in Belgium.

houffalize 2001

In the knowledge that not many sliding pillar Lancias within Lancia Club Belgio were ever seen on the road, but that quite a few members owned such cars, we set about tempting them into the open by giving an international twist to the event so as to make it attractive to as many Lancia enthusiasts as possible. It worked! Thanks to Ade's and Ed's support in England and the resulting number of British participants, the first European edition, in Houffalize in 2001, was a resounding success. The entry of over 50 crews from many countries in Europe exceeded all our expectations and the numerous very positive and encouraging reactions we received after the event strengthened our resolve to continue.

original sliding pillar

In 2002, while we were starting work on the preparations for the 2003 edition, we had the opportunity of attending the 'Original Sliding Pillar Rally' in Wiltshire, UK, organised by the Rudler brothers. As a result of the success of the 'First European Sliding Pillar Rally' in 2001 the English event had now been expanded from a single day to a long weekend and for the first time also a number of continental crews were present. And of course, this event too was highlighted by the excellent ambience among like-minded enthusiasts, all men and women sharing the same passion. Our determination to uphold and continue this ambience was strengthened. However the original plan we were working on, to hold the following edition in Echternach in Luxembourg, had to be abandoned due to the uncertainty of being able to guarantee the same ambience at that location.

2nd European Sliding Pillar Rally

So it was back to the Belgian Ardennes, and Houffalize again, which, remarkably for such a small town, not only was able to accommodate us in the 'Les Onnays' bungalow park in 2001 but also has the very extensive hotel accommodation provided by 'Ol Fosse d'Outh'. We had no cause to regret this change of venue, for the buffet, barbecue and gastronomic dinner were fully up to expectations, as were the rooms and the excellent service provided by the staff.

Even if there were slightly fewer participants than two years ago, we feel that this year's event was a definite improvement on the first edition. The perfect summer weather set the tone for the whole weekend. The superb route that took us through some tiny and little-known jewels of the Ardennes, as well as to famous tourist attractions such as Saint Hubert, Bastogne and Durbuy, where we had the choice of visiting the town at our leisure or simply enjoying a drink on one of the numerous terraces, were appreciated by everyone. And we will long remember the delightful picnic in the shadow of rows of lime trees in the grounds of the Château de Deulin as guests of the owners Stéphane and Dominique de Harlez.

In short, all the ingredients were there for an ideal 'family' gathering of like-minded Lancia enthusiasts. Whether it was for the whole weekend or for just one or two days, each participant was able to enjoy the event. And in addition to the Lancia Club Belgio members who joined the rally for one day, this year we even had several participants who do not yet own a Lancia but are keen to acquire a sliding pillar car and join this happy family...

Next year, in 2004, we'll be going to England again, where the Rudlers are already working on an interesting route in Dorset. And in 2005? The wildest ideas are already being aired by your continental team. Nothing we can tell you about yet, but as soon as we have something definite to report, you will be the first to hear about it.

See you next year in Dorset!

Andrew, Eduard, Jan & Toon

For more information on the European Sliding Pillar Meeting contact:
Jan Van Hoorick
Kaudenaarde 61
B-1700 Dilbeek - Belgium
Phone/Fax: +32 (0)2 567 90 01
jan@vanhoorick.com
Eduard De Landtsheer
Acht Bundersstraat 31
B-1933 Sterrebeek - Belgium
Phone: +32 (0)2 757 29 37
Fax: +32 (0)2 253 73 18
eduard@busybee.be

ardennes news

Like for the first edition of the European Sliding Pillar Rally, back in 2001, we felt that once again the event could benefit from the support of a magazine, showing a glimpse of the things to come.

So a new series of Ardennes News was launched. Two issues were published before the event revealing an idea of the new places of intrest we would visit this year and giving more information on practical details.

A third issue, published after the event looked back on the event, bringing the souvenirs (pictures and reactions) back to live.

Did you miss some of these Ardennes News 2003? Please send a mail to: eduard@busybee.be or download an electronic version (pdf-format - adobe acrobat ) from this site.

gallery

More than two hundred images are available now. Click here to see!

list of participants

Click on car name for image and use back-button to return to this page.

Use gallery above to see all images.

sliding pillar ardennes 2003

  1. YOUNG Ian - Lambda - 1922 UK
  2. VAN HOORICK Leo - Lambda - - 1924 BEL
  3. SCOTT Harry - Lambda - 1924 UK
  4. MOORE Geoffrey - Lambda - 1925 UK
  5. WOOD Jonathan - Lambda - 1927 UK
  6. AMEY Elspeth - Lambda - 1928 UK
  7. MILLHAM John - Lambda - 1928 UK
  8. BATT Gerald - Lambda Astura - 1929 UK
  9. COLE Michael - Lambda - 1930 UK
  10. WILLIAMSON Don - Artena - 1930 UK
  11. OUDE WEERNINK Wim - Astura Coupé - 1932 NL
  12. INGER Göran - Augusta - 1933 (D)SWE
  13. (didn't show up, again)
  14. ANTONACCI Walter - Augusta March - 1934 BEL
  15. WHEELER Michael - Augusta March - 1934 UK
  16. MERRYWEATHER Paul - Augusta March - 1935 UK
  17. HANDS Brian - Augusta - 1934 UK
  18. HELSEN Jean - Belna - 1934 BEL
  19. HERMANS Erik - Belna Cabriolet Paul Née - 1934 NL
  20. SÄNGER Karl - Augusta - 1935 ZWI
  21. HOP Aat - Augusta - 1935 NL
  22. DUCORNET Jean - Ardennes - 1937 FR
  23. BARKER Ronald - Ardea - 1949 UK
  24. BARTON Richard - Ardea - 1950 UK
  25. BOOSMAN Kees-Jan - Ardea - 1950 NL
  26. MEZZO Nino - Aurelia B10 - 1951 BEL
  27. WILLEMS Martin - Aurelia B21 - 1951 NL
  28. RESSING Hans - Ardea - 1952 NL
  29. GLAASER Karel - Appia I - 1953 NL
  30. DE WIT Koen - Aurelia B20 GT - 1954 BEL
  31. GAWNE Chris - Aurelia B20 GT - 1954 UK
  32. RUDLER Edmund (Aurelia B24) - 1954 UK
  33. MAES Roos - Aurelia B24 - 1955 BEL
  34. D'IETEREN Roland - Aurelia B24 - 1955 BEL
  35. JUNGBLUT Hans - Aurelia B20 - 1957 NL
  36. HEUFF Rijk - Aurelia B20 - 1957 (UK)NL
  37. HEWITSON Geoffrey - Aurelia B20 6th - 1958 UK
  38. RUDLER Ade - Aurelia B20 - 1958 UK
  39. VERMER Jean-Pierre - Appia Coupé - 1960 BEL
  40. DEACON Daryl - Appia III - 1960 (NOR)AUS
  41. REMMELINK Dirk-Jan - Appia Lusso - 1961 NL
  42. VAN AUWEGEM R. + VAN HAEFF L. - Aurelia B12 - 1952 B/NL
  43. POTTIER Daniel - Fulvia Zagato - 1970 FR
  44. SCHILDKAMP Leo - Flaminia Zagato - 1962 NL
  45. (number not used)
  46. (number not used)
  47. (number not used)
  48. BAKER Peter - Appia I - 1953 UK

press

  1. P1 VISART Etienne - Belna Cabriolet Paul Née - 1935 BEL

LANCIA CLUB BELGIO

  1. MANNES Christian - Flaminia Coupé - 1961 BEL
  2. FRERE Paul - Flavia Coupé - 1968 BEL
  3. BRAEM Theo - Flaminia GTL - 1964 (BEL)NL
  4. WILSENS Steven - Flavia Sport Zagato - 1965 BEL
  5. DE LANDTSHEER Frank - Flavia Cabriolet Vignale - 1966 BEL
  6. DE BEYS Pierre - Flaminia Berlina - 1967 BEL
  7. DE LIGNE Léon - Fulvia Coupé - 1967 BEL
  8. RAEYMAEKERS Wim - Flavia Coupé - 1968 BEL
  9. DESSART JO - Flavia Coupé - 1969 BEL
  10. KEDER Guus - Fulvia 1.3S Rallye - 1970 (BEL)NL
  11. DE BEYS Catherine (Flaminia Touring) - 1967 BEL
  12. DE MEYER Marc - Fulvia 1.3S Rallye - 1970 BEL
  13. DE BUCK Walter - Fulvia Montecarlo - 1970 BEL
  14. PAUWELS Peter - Fulvia Coupé - 1970 BEL
  15. DESWYSEN Gabriël - Fulvia 1600 HF - 1971 BEL
  16. VANDERBRUGGEN Jean-Louis - Fulvia 1600 HF - 1972 BEL
  17. DE MAEYER Joseph - Flavia 2000 Coupé - 1972 BEL
  18. SUAREZ Kim - Fulvia Sport Zagato - 1972 BEL
  19. KEUTGENS Koen - Fulvia II - 1974 BEL
  20. DELATTE Jean-Claude - Beta Spider - 1978 BEL
  21. DE GUELDRE André - Beta Montecarlo - 1978 BEL
  22. KERSEMANS Kevin - Beta Spider - 1979 BEL
  23. THOMAS Hubert - Gamma Coupé - 1980 BEL

The car numbers reflect the age of the cars, #1 being the oldest car participating. However, some participants did not show up in the car they announced, or did not let us know the exact date of construction of their car.