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FIVA WORLD RALLY CYPRUS
26 May - 2 June 2013

The FIVA World Rally 2013 that was organized this year in Cyprus between the 26th of May and the 2nd of June ended with great success.

In spite of the world financial crisis, 34 crews from 7 European countries participated in the Event: Among them, members of the Mercedes-Benz Club UK, Stephen and Mary Wilkinson in their beautiful 220SEb Merc of 1965. The Start of the Rally was performed by the Mayor of Limassol Mr. Andreas Christou on Monday 27 May at 12:00 noon from the Parking place of Enaerios in Limassol.

The oldest vehicles to start, was a Renault XB 14/20 of 1905 that came from Germany. Another vehicle from Germany also, was a beautiful Marmon big eight of 1930.

We also had the opportunity to see some of the Old Vehicles that had been hiding in the collections of our compatriots. For the first time out of their hiding places, we saw a FORD Model T of 1912 and a Willys Overland Jeep of 1917.

Christopher Koutsakos, the owner of “the Old Garage” in Nicosia, competed in a Ford Model T of 1915.

From the USA via Norway, we saw a Chevrolet Corvette Stingray of 1975 which was restored especially for the FIVA World Rally, a fact that was advertised on the sides of the vehicle. The car travelled from Norway to Cyprus on a trailer pulled by a Cadillac Eldorado V8 of 1976! On the way, it kept being refuelled at every petrol station of Europe.

First in the General Category were George Mavrovouniotis and John Ioannou, in a Mercedes 230SL pagoda of 1967. Second another Mercedes, a 230E of 1983 with Ertan and Ayse Namli. Third in the General Category were Gunnar Nilsen and Annbjorg Selnes from Norway in the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray of 1975.

In category “Β-C” Heinz Bruno Hecker and Gabi Laskiwitz came first in the Marmon Big eight of 1930. Second in Category Β-C were Wolfgang Auge and Wilma Steimann in the Renault XB of 1905.

The Prize giving was performed by the Mayor of Nicosia Constantinos Yiorkatzis at the Cyprus Hilton on Saturday the 1st of June. First in Category F were Nicos Nicolaou and Christos Charidemou in a Jaguar MKII whist Second in the same Category were David Cuplin and Kenneth Hughes in a Jaguar XJ6 of 1970.

In category “G” Dimitris Thoma and Stelios Michaelides were first in an MGB of 1974, and second were Christopher Sofroniou with his 11 year old son George who also received the prize of the first Young navigator. Second Young navigator was Constantinos Constantinou who directed his father Kyriacos throughout the whole week.

The Ladies Cup went to an Austrian Ladies Crew, Dagmar Partik and Luise Soleas, who, dressed in the colours of their flag drove their red Ford Consul Capri of 1963 in the 14th Overall place in spite of the fact that it was the first time they were competing in such a regularity event!

We thank our sponsors, the SIXT Rent a Car company, as well as the hotels Forest Park, Thanos Hotels, the Capo Bay Hotel and the Aphrodite Hills hotel, that in spite of the financial crisis assisted in the organization of this World Event.

Many thanks also to LTV for covering the whole event for free.