For the past decade, the Ferrari Car Club Crescent Classic Mille Miglia Rally has taken place each September at the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs. This six day event covers over 1,000 miles of roadways through the beautiful scenery of Arkansas. The rally started back in 2004 and is celebrating its final year this year.
The Crescent Classic was founded in 2004 by Chris Parr and Scott Ashcraft. It has been called the best Ferrari Rally in North America and featured in FORZA Magazine. This non-competitive rally allows drivers to experience the thrill of the Ferrari while driving on challenging roadways. The event begins on the first Wednesday following Labor Day in September every year. This year’s rally will take place September 2nd through the 7th. This will be the final year for the Crescent Classic. The routes for this year’s six day event will be a combination of the most popular routes over the past decade.
September 2nd at 6:00pm, there will be a party and reception at the Crescent Hotel to kick-off the festivities. The Ferrari-Maserati-Bentley-Lotus of Denver will be the host. Fine food and drinks will be served. Wednesday, September 3rd will begin the first rally sponsored by Michelin Tires. The Michelin Rally will travel over the Pig Trail and return to the first destination that was visited back in 2004, Weiderkehr Wineries. Blanchard Caverns will be the drive for Thursday, September 4th. This location has been part of the Crescent Classic only one time in the past decade but offers beautiful views of waterfalls and caves. For Friday, September 5th, the rally will travel around Jasper, Arkansas. Tradition for the Saturday race is always to start the day with breakfast at War Eagle Mill. This day’s events are sponsored by Ferrari Chat and Rob Lay, who were also the very first sponsors of the event. Sunday, September 7th is a fun filled day sponsored by Passport Transport. The Sky Bar Pizzeria on the 4th floor of the Crescent Hotel will serve a breakfast buffet beginning at 7:00am. The closing event for the Classic will be a Formula 1 viewing party for the Italian Grand Prix.
Registration for the rally is open but is limited to only 50 cars. Fees for this year’s registration are $875 per person. Registration can be done online or by mail. Room reservations are not included in the registration fee. The Crescent Classic is based out of the 1886 Crescent Hotel. Reservations can be made directly with the hotel with no refunds offered after June 1st.
If you’re visiting the area while the rally is in town, check out a stay at area bed and breakfast Arsenic and Old Lace. This Queen Anne Victorian style mansion sets the tone for peace and quiet with five private guest rooms each complete with own bathroom. The location is just two blocks from the Historic District in downtown. Each morning begins with a complimentary gourmet breakfast. Whether it’s the rally or the autumn scenery that brings you to Eureka Springs this fall, relax and enjoy the Ozark mountains during your stay at Arsenic and Old Lace.
Photo courtesy of Vineesh Devasia
