(openPR) - This year Germany's biggest old-timer rally will for the first time be setting off from Hanover. Participants are due to meet on 4th July 2009 at the exhibition grounds of Deutsche Messe and the 'rolling museum' will leave from here on 5th July on a journey covering just over 2,000 kilometres. The route leads along winding roads through picturesque towns with half-timbered buildings and magnificent countryside. The high-calibre hotels selected offer wide-ranging cuisine. The event is once again held under the patronage of the Automobilclub von Deutschland (AvD), Germany's oldest motoring association. As in previous years, DEKRA is responsible for monitoring the technical side.

The rally route goes via Kassel, Bad Homburg and Künzelsau to Ulm, then on through Gersthofen to Friedrichshafen. For those in the group wanting a break, there will be a day of relaxation when Lake Constance is reached. Alternatively, a delightful optional excursion into Switzerland is also available. The next stage of the journey takes participants via the original starting point* Baden-Baden on to Stuttgart, and then past Rüsselsheim to Bad Honnef. Finally, the old-timers will skirt the northern edge of the Eifel mountains right up to Roermond in Holland before heading for the ultimate destination - the Automeile Höherweg in Düsseldorf. Thousands of spectators are expected here on the afternoon of Saturday, 11th July 2009, eagerly awaiting the spectacle of the rolling museum arriving after its seven day journey.

The reliability trial '2000 km durch Deutschland' is open to cars, motorcycles and other classic vehicles built before 1979. In addition to the appropriate vehicle, what is also required is a certain amount of driving stamina and skill to handle the daily time trials. The entry fee (from 2,600 euros for a motorcyclist up to 4,500 euros for two drivers in one car, staying in single rooms) includes the rally documentation, tour plates and event gift, as well as all meals and overnight accommodation. A new option is that two
motorcyclists setting off separately can share a double room and together pay just 3,950 euros entry fee.

The invitation to participate, regulations and entry form can be downloaded from the internet at www.2000km.com. The documentation can also be requested by post (2000 km durch Deutschland, Lars Döhmann, Zum Eichenbrink 1, D-31535 Neustadt, Germany) or by e-mail (info@2000km.com). Closing date for entries is 20th April 2009.

'2000 km durch Deutschland' is an old-timer rally for cars, motorcycles and other historic vehicles. First held in 1933 as a non-stop driving event, it has been organised every year since 1989. In 2008 Germany's biggest old-timer rally celebrated its 75th anniversary after the initial event as a non-stop challenge and at the same time the 20th edition for the 'oldies'. The DVD with 40 minutes Film is available for 30 Euros exclusively from the organisation. The full story behind the '2000 Kilometer durch Deutschland' can be found in the book of the same name, published by the Delius-Klasing-Verlag in Bielefeld (ISBN 978-3-7688-2555-9).

'2000 km durch Deutschland'
Lars Döhmann
Zum Eichenbrink 1
D-31535 Neustadt
Germany
+49 5036 92260
E-mail: L.Doehmann@2000km.com
Internet: www.2000km.com