Piešťany gold
ribbons 2013
On 6th to 8h June 2013 an
event took place in Piešťany
which is besides the beautiful
historic vehicles show also the
sample of an excellent mana
gerial work of organizers.
tants of Piešťany welcomed also the
giving of autographs by motorcyclist
Ivan Jakeš who achieved at the prestige
Rally Dakar his life success - 4th place.
The development of motorism in Piešťany is inseparable connected to local
health resort. In the year 1912 the Winters bought a motorcar of brand Dion
Bouton which they were renting to
spa guests and drivers too. So, rather
unconscious, they deserved laying the
corner stone for the future origin of car
rentals over which today, a century later, predominates AVIS in Slovakia.
History of the event of Piešťany car
shows reaches the years 1932 to 1937
when famous competitions for the
nicest car took place in Piešťany. The
events were known as Concours d’Elégance and they were a culmination
of long sight-seeing drives. Interesting
is that well-known spa guests and personalities with glanced cars as the actor
Vlasta Burian, singer Richard Taubner
or known countess Geraldína Apponyiová from Oponice took part there.
World War II stopped the tradition of
competition which was reopened after year 1980 again under the name
Piešťany gold ribbons - Concours d’Elégance, but already as historic vehicles
show. Competition programme usually
consists of ride on chosen route out of
Piešťany. However, the most attractive
for spectators is the city ride and the car
show on Kúpeľný ostrov with the evaluation of the nicest of them. Thanks
to the zealous vintage car lovers we
can admire the rare cars from the different countries and their period worn
crews every year. In front of the hotel
Thermia Palace which creates a dignified, elegant and period appropriate
66
environment, the separate vintage cars
together wih the crew are maestoso
introduced to public. It is an experience not only for younger years but a full
value excursion to the past for adult admirers of motorism.
Among the interesting models were
also Rolls Royce Phantom from year
1926, Jaguar from year 1952 or Belsize Cabrio from year 1903 and tenths
of other rare vehicles from several European countries. A culmination of an
event was the Saturday's “beauty parade” in front of hotel Thermia Palace.
An international jury chose the nicest
cars and the best period clothes of crews in separate categories. Introducing
of the crews on red carpet was accompanied by music programme and
the event culminated by the fireworks
in the rythm of period music. Piešťany
gold ribbons turned out well again and
according to words of an organizer Ján
Horňák they certainly exceeded the
world rallye in Sweden and Berlin.
An unique historic vehicles show Piešťany Gold ribbons - Concours d’Élégance 2013 started already in the afternoon when the glanced vintage cars were
passing by Winter street to Kúpeľný
ostrov. Here were the organizers welcoming and introducing the separate
vehicles. On Friday, 7th June, period
worn crews of their oldtimer started
from Kúpeľný ostrov. 120 km long rou
■
te with stop in prestige manor-house in
Oponice waited for them,
from where
they continued to Nitra and back
to Piešťany.
On Saturday
the historic
vehicles
lovers presented themselves in Trnava.
Among the
praticipants
of an event
were also the
race drivers
from this year's Rally Dakar on their
racing Tatra
Car Show in Piešťany was an important event in the past
815. Inhabi-