In May, FIVA had two FIVA World Events on the calendar. But they took place thousands of kilometres away from each other, so they did not drive into each other’s wheels! On 18 May, the Maya Rally Mexico (RMM) began in Merida on the Yucatan peninsula, in scorching heat. The 500 KM Slovenskych FIVA World Rally started in a very special, sustainable way: with a train journey from Bratislava to Slovakia’s second city, Košice, with over 80 participant cars and almost 200 participants on board.
The two FIVA World Events were very different in format, but also showed a lot of similarities. The difference was mainly in the climatic conditions and the scenic and cultural environment. But they were also similar in at least two respects: the enthusiasm of the organisers and the thrill of taking a journey through time while getting to know land and people better.
In Mexico, Benjamín de la Peña Mora from Cancun has been the little big man behind the event for 10 years. It is a special mix between regularity competition and experience of the local culture, which is still very much defined by the original inhabitants, the Mayans. The Rally lives up to its name! And for today’s inhabitants, the Rally is a celebration. Everywhere in the villages and towns the rally visits, there are lots of people along the route. Especially at the ‘topes’, the countless ‘sleeping policemen’, there is invariably an accumulation of enthusiastic spectators, ready with their mobile phones, including lots of children. The Rally is a real highlight for them! Another special feature of the RMM is that every day, in one or more places, wheelchairs or children’s bicycles are handed over to the local communities. The RMM organisation thus also shows its social responsibility . This allows the event to build on a lot of goodwill. The programme provided ample opportunity to also visit the archaeological wonders of Mayan culture, and to enjoy the delights of Cancun.
Smon Hulka and Jan Capca are the tireless organisers of the 500 KM Slovenskych, which took place for the third time this year. 35 years ago Slovakia was still deep behind the Iron Curtain, as part of communist Czechoslovakia. But it has undergone rapid development, becoming a truly open Central European country. The country’s slogan, ‘Slovakia what a surprise’, says it exactly: the country has a lot to offer, and the 500 KM Rally showed this well. For the many foreign participants, it was a real revelation! Of course, the regularity competition was also the main focus of this rally, but there was also plenty of opportunity to enjoy the country’s very diverse landscapes, and get to know beautiful towns and also high-class spa towns, such as Turčianske Teplice. Surprisingly, the field of participants consisted mainly of pre-war vehicles, the oldest a Hispano Suiza 1917! And of course the regional car tradition was well represented, with the uniquely streamlined Tatras, as well as Skoda’s and Aero’s, and Steyr’s from neighbouring Austria. In Slovakia, too, there was much enthusiasm along the rally route. Sometimes whole school classes stood there.
One programme element of the 500 KM Slovenskych would belong in any FIVA World Rally: the 100-metre race for kids with pedal cars. There was serious competition in both Bratislava and Kosice.
Both World Rallies of course had winners, in various classes, but no losers. Because, as with all FIVA World Events, it is above all about enjoyment. Of the beautiful cars, of each other’s company and the beautiful bits of earth the rallies take you to. That’s the Spirit of FIVA!
Text and pictures by Tiddo Bresters
