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Ostrava '71
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Ostrava '71
Jiri Vanek, President of the Veteran Car Club of Ostrava
Antique Automobile
March-April 1972
9th Czechoslovak International Veteran Car Rally Is Held in Ostrava, Czechoslovakia, May 14-16, 1971
A handsome array of cars from 1902 through 1938 assembled for the 9th Czechoslovak International Veteran Car Rally in Ostrava, Czechoslovakia May 14-16, 1971, under the auspices of the Veteran Car Club of Ostrava. There were participants from Austria, Belgium, England, France, East and West Germany, Poland and Czechoslovakia.
The oldest cars were a 1902 Benz Parsifal and a 1902 Maurer-Union. Spectators admired cars of many outstanding marques. The U.S. was represented by Auburn, Chrysler, Ford, Moon, Nash, Packard and Studebaker. French cars included Leon Bollee, Bugatti, Citroen, LeZebre, Mathis, Peugeot and Renault.
German marques included Benz, BMW-Dixi, Elite, Horch, Maurer-Union, Mercedes-Benz, Opel, Phanomen, Ruppe & Sohn. From England were Bentley, HRG, Jaguar and MG; Austro-Daimler and Graf & Shift from Austria; Fiat and Lancia from Italy. Also Czechoslovakian marques Aero, Laurin & Klement, Praga, Skoda, Tatra, Walter, Wikov and "Z."
The route of the rally was through some of the most beautiful sections of North Moravia and the Beskydy mountains.
With Ostrava as its goal, the rally was launched on Saturday in the town Valasske Mezirici. A lively send-off was provided by a band of folk musicians in colorful costumes. The lead car was a 1902 Benz Parsifal, the best restored car in the event. Other participants followed at one minute intervals over the 102 kilometre course, along which were five time control stations.
Competitors were permitted to choose one of five average speeds—15, 20, 25, 30 or 40 kilometres per hour.
After arrival in Ostrava, the veteran cars paraded through town, then were parked overnight in the sports stadium. On Sunday, owners washed and polished their cars; the took part in a gymkhana at the stadium, an event which was broadcast on TV.
The rally concluded with an evening party at the Hotel Merkur where the President of VCC-Ostrava announced the award winners. Cups of Czech crystal were presented to the three winners in each of five categories. Each participant in the rally received an appropriate plaque.
Plans are now under way for the next (10th International) rally which also will be held in Ostrava. The organizers hope to welcome some U.S.A. competitors to Ostrava '72 in June this year. There were no American participants in 1971, although there were U.S. cars.
