The might of the past

The beauty of Cyprus was brought to the fore last weekend for those taking part in the 21st International Classic Car Rally. DANIEL THOMAS soaks up the atmosphere

Elegant and classic cars snaked through the island last weekend during the three-day 21st International Classic Car Rally.

The race began in Nicosia with cars proceeding on to Larnaca’s iconic Phinikoudes promenade, where the drivers were able to show off their pieces of automotive history against the palm trees. They then made their way to Limassol, passing through various villages on the way, before finishing at the Elias Beach Hotel to rest from the arduous day of 180km driving with cocktails and mechanical musings.

Unassuming guests were awoken to the sounds of the past might of machines in the morning with many of the V8s roaring off at 8.30 for what was purported to be the hardest leg, following the old road to Paphos, up and around the Akamas peninsula’s sleepy villages of Kathikas, Kritou Terra and Polis, before returning to Paphos for an overnight stay at the Azia Hotel. The next morning saw the cars ascended back up into the Troodos Mountains, encompassing scenic villages and sheer peeks, before retuning to Nicosia.

There were, of course, the expected mechanical blunders, which any owner of a classic car will testify is part of the romance of the experience. Of the 71 cars that began the race, 55 completed the 600km route.

Costas Pitsillides, who served the enviable position of co-driver in his friend Dimos Toumasides’ Jaguar E Type, described the event as “a fantastic experience, complete with periods of relaxation, excitement, challenge and suspense. It was an opportunity to see parts of Cyprus that you rarely come into contact with”. The pleasure of being a passenger in such an iconic sports car was not lost on him either. Their pleasurable drive meant they finished in 34th place.

The race was won by Costas Georgiou and co-driver Andreas Hadjigeorgiou in their white, 1966 Holden HR 161. Alexis Anninos and Demetris Hadjichristodoulou came second in a black 1977 Mercedes Benz 350 SE, while a red 1961 Triumph Herald, driven and navigated by Panicos and Andreas Christodoulou respectively, came in third.

The classic car rally has become something of an international affair in recent years, with drivers and co-drivers from Greece, Spain, Italy, the US, UK, Ireland, Switzerland and Cyprus taking part in the event, which takes drivers through some of the most graphic, beautiful and rarely seen stretches of road on the island.

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