The Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive is the world’s largest on road charity event bringing together classic cars and dapper style while raising funds for men’s health. Every year car lovers from close to 215 nations gather on Sept. 27 in their respective countries to drive their cars for a good cause. The Calgary chapter got its start in 2021 and drive captain Liam Rathgeber says the Calgary drive is regularly recognised as a global flagship event. It is presently the fourth highest fundraising city in the world with over $125,000 raised since it was established. “What I love most about it is that it’s taking these cars and actually going out and driving them,” he said. “It’s not for cars being in the garage, it’s not a parking lot show where everyone puts their hood up and plunks down their folding chair, we actually drive the cars out through the foothills, we see some of our beautiful countryside fall colors and enjoy them the way they were meant to be enjoyed.” Rathgeber says typically 30 drivers sign up for the event but for the 2026 drive, more than 50 have registered. Each driver fundraises individually through sponsors with a goal of helping men’s health issues; mental health, suicide prevention and prostate cancer research. “The way that it’s run now is all of the funds raised around the world go into a central pot and then it’s divvied up to wherever the money is going to be able to do the most good,” said Rathgeber. “Which it turns out in a large part, is Western Canada and Alberta in particular so as of last year, every dollar raised in Canada equals about $1.10 to $1.15 coming back into our local markets.” Liam and his brother Zac are both driving vehicles their late father Bill owned and now the two are continuing their dad’s legacy. Bill started the Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive chapter in southern Alberta. Gordon Diplock has been part of the drive since its beginning and remembers Bill bouncing the idea of it off him. “On a Friday at the Legion, he said to me ‘Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive’ and I said, ‘Oh, who can go in on that, what’s it all about?’ He told me and this is now my sixth year,” said Diplock. “I just think it’s fantastic and it gives us a chance to show off our cars.” Liam says his dad liked to drive all the vehicles he collected, rather than have them just parked in a garage looking pretty. “Bill always said that if you’re not using them to make people happy, then you shouldn’t have them,” said Liam. “And that’s why when I’m at a car show and everyone else is saying, take your picture but stand 10 feet away, I’m the one saying, ‘Well, it’s a Rolls-Royce, it’s all about comfort, you should get in.’” Zak Rathgeber says he enjoys driving his 1954 Mercury M100 every chance he gets with his family. “I’m not one to go to car shows and sit next to my truck, I prefer to be in the driver’s seat waving to people from the road,” he said. “I’ve got two little girls that are always in the passenger seat with us and my wife as well as is always in it, we’re cramming into this three seat truck and they feel like they’re in a parade everywhere they go.” The vehicles have to be 40 years or older and Sunday’s route isn’t advertised to prevent unregistered vehicles from joining in. “If people do want to see the cars, the best bet would be at one of the roadside pull outs on the road out to the Sheep River Trailhead (secondary highway 546) west of Diamond Valley between noon and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27,” said Liam. Learn more about the drive and how to donate here: https://gentlemansdrive.com/events/canada/calgary.
