ANDROS, Greece, April 22 (Xinhua) -- An unparalleled collection of 80 vintage cars filled the roads of the Cycladic island of Andros for the 24th Spring Classic Car Rally organized by Philpa (Greek Federation of Old Cars).
"It is the first time we hold the Spring Car Rally in Andros, after three running years in Spetses island. The participants have cars built from 1920 to 1988. We hope locals will embrace the event and continue it here in the coming years," Nikos Kozanitis, member of Philpa told Xinhua on Saturday.
For his part, the mayor of Andros Theodosis Sousoudis praised the event and its contribution to the tourist activity of the island. "We are glad and honored that we host the Spring Classic Car Rally in Andros. It has a positive impact on our island since such events are also recognized globally," Sousoudis told Xinhua.
This rally is not about speed. It is about precision. "The Spring Classic Car Rally is a regularity trial. The winner is the one with the least penalties during the route," Kozanitis explained.
The rules are as follows: each team can choose in which category they wish to compete with a route scheduled prior to departure.
This schedule contains information about the designated speeds and target arrival times for each segment of the route.
There is the classic regularity with a maximum average speed of 50 km per hour or the new "Master Trophy" category which has been recently introduced by the Philpa Federation for 2018.
In this category, the participants make a "gentlemen's agreement" to compete using only the vehicles' original instruments and hand-held stopwatches.
But, above all, the race is a celebration of beauty: of these beautiful cars and the landscape.
The classic cars followed the specially-designated route from the cosmopolitan Batsi village to the capital of Andros, Chora through some of the picturesque villages of the island with sandy beaches and small harbors such as Palaiopoli, Messaria, and Korthi.
Upon arrival on the finish line, the classic cars took their places in the stone-paved square in Chora which is surrounded with many cafes, creating a fabulous display and evoking memories of another era. "It's like a mobile museum," Kozanitis noted.
Locals and visitors gathered to marvel the remarkable classic cars including prestigious industry names like Bentley, Buick, Jaguar, Porsche, Rolls Royce and Alfa Romeo.
"It's care and love for classic cars," Kozanitis stressed saying that the aim is to maintain them as living examples of an era long gone and as cultural monuments.
Member of FIVA, the International Federation of Classic Cars, PHILPA is the oldest and largest Classic Car Club of Greece, established more than 45 years ago.
All these years, PHILPA has embraced the historic car with many activities and events.
"From 13 to 16 September, the International Rally 2018 will be held in the island of Crete thanks to its outstanding coastal and mountain routes," Kozanitis said.
