Save the date: 21.-23.9.18 The „Automobile Week St. Moritz“ originally took place back in 1929 and 1930. Part of the event was the so called „Bernina Gran Prix“, a hillclimb race which started from Pontresina up the southern side of the Bernina Pass until the maximum height of 2.328 meters above sea level.
Since 2015 the team of „Bernina Gran Turismo“ is organizing this fabulous event once again. Since 2016 I am a member of the organization team. Our goal is not only to present one of the worlds most spectacular hillclimb races for classic race and sports cars but also to resurrect the whole „Automobile Week St. Moritz“. This means to have several events around the automotive realm around the Bernina Grand Prix. in 2017 we could agree with the Rhaetische Bahn (UNESCO World Heritage) to use two of the still existing historic trains during the BGT weekend on this spectacular strech of their service. Hopefully, the RhB will take the chance to participate on this weekende of Historic Mobility in the future as well.
More information for both visitors and participants are to be found at www.bernina-granturismo.com. Eligible cars for he hillclimbs can be built up to the early 1980s. The more modern the car, the more exotic or historic relevant it has to be. This is the easy to remember formula to find out if your car is right. The event is strictly limited to a maximum of 80 cars, so it is a good idea to sign in early if you want to be a part of one of the last real hillclimb races for historic cars.
The next race will take place from 21. to 23. of September 2018. Registration is already open!
To see some pictures of the 2016 event go here
Here are some links to good articles and nice photos of and about the BGT 2017:
Laura Kukuk (before: Life.Travel.Cars)
Everybody has seen them before - the colorfully painted and decorated the Pakistani trucks.
The so called "Truck Art" is indigenene art movement that takes up most floral patterns, which are a tradition in Pakistan since centuries - of course initially as an ornament of interiors, later mainly on donkeys, horse, ox and camel carts. In the 1920s and 1930s, when trucks and buses came to Pakistan, they have been decorated as well. Especially the numerous Bedford trucks that came in the country during the late 1950s gave a major boost to "truck art".
Truck Art is a living art, in which almost everything is allowed today. In addition to traditional paintings, other techniques are used, including calligraphy, ornamental decorations, "Steelwork" and stickers. The "stickers" are also mostly made by hand and individually.
This art of painting and decorating icalled s "Phool Patt d (Phool = flower / Patti = leaf) and is now widespread in Pakistan, but also in Afghanistan. In a similar way we find the tradition to decorate commercial vehicles in India and Southeast Asia.
Around 20 "Truck Art" artists joined together in group, trying y to keep this tradition alive in Pakistan, but also internationally. They also hope to add a positive image of Pakistan in the media. For closer information please go to my blog or see the process of painting the car on Facebook by clicking here.
If you want to staryour own "Truck k Art Project" juscall me. . The artists will come to Germanagain in October 2016. To o discuss your project please get in contact by sending an Email to info@classicmedia.de
Links to media coverage of The Pakistani Truck Art Project:
Car Guy Chronicles Wheels! Octane Münchner Merkur
I am proud to be a member of the Selection Committee of Salon Privé, one of the most prestigious events of its kind. My focus is on pre war cars, a segment which will become more important in the events future. As usual, the Concours d’Elegance shows different classes, exclusively for classic cars. But Salon Privé also offers a (Bereich) for modern Super- and Hypercars like Pagani or Koenigsegg, but also for Ferrari, Lamborghini & Co.
The event takes place on the grounds of the famous Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, near Oxford. The organisers recently could sign a 10 years contract for this glamouros location to assure continuity.
If you like to learn more about this great event, just go to www.salonpriveconcours.com. And if you own an elible pre war car, resored or in preserved condition, just get in contact with me. Of course I’ll help you if you own another vehicle which would fit in another part of this elegant event.
The new dates for 2018 are:
Thursday 30th August - Saturday 1st September with "Blenheim Classic & Supercar" following on Sunday 2nd September 2018
The 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally & Concours Show took place for the 7th time in 2017 at the famous India Gate in New Delhi. Year after year, the event is getting bigger and better; and this year happened to be the grandest so far. It is not only about cars but also about the vast cultural diversity of the country. In 2018 it will take place on the "Ambience Greens Golf Cours", directly behind the Ambience Mall in Gurgoan (Gurugram).
This was and will be the perfect ambience to witness the blending of India’s Motoring heritage with its enormous cultural heritage. Unlike any other vintage car show organized in the USA, France, Germany, or Italy, this one truly is a different experience altogether! Along with the display of over 100 exclusive hand-picked Indian vintage cars and 3 international cars, spectators will also get the glimpse of the art and dance forms of all parts of the country.
Last year, in true sense, the event was quite International. Collectors from the UK and India joined the event. I did my best in adding my knowledge as a member of the Jury. Christian Kramer as the Chief Judge and Mr. Patrick Peter (Peter Auto), Mr. Francois Mecion (Retromobile), Quirina Louwman (Louwman Museum) were part of the board of Judges, just to name a few, and I am proud to be on this list too. In 2018, some new international Judges will help to make sure again that the "21 Gun Salute Concours" will be a serious event of international standards.
In the coming years, the event will grow and include more and more collectors and car enthusiasts from all over the world. The event will also attract a larger number of foreign tourists, who will get a chance to visit India. I am proud to be a part of it, helping the event to become more international and promote it as it's Representative Ambassador in Germany.
To see some of photos of the 2016 event go my public Facebook album here or on Pinterest.
To see some photos of the 2017 event go here
This specialized insurance is meant mostly for high valued classic cars and collections of all sizes as well as for modern Super- and Hypercars of the present time. Especially the owners of vehicles, usually to be problematic for normal insurances (because of their value or rarity will soon appreciate TECTUS Classic Car Insurance.
TECTUS sees these vehicles more as works of art rather than normal cars. This allows a different calculation of the risk involved. Of course, a strong and reliable partner is needed here which TECTUS found in Lloyds of London as the serious Underwriter.
The usual appraisals are obsolete if you can insure your car(s) on the basis of an agreed value. If the insurer needs an appraisal anyway, it is it’s own task to get it. Another Highlight ist the worldwide transportation insurance which is already included. Especially owners of cars which are transported to several international events know what this is all about. Here an owner can easily safe several thousand Euros/Dollars.
There are only 8 exclusions which are easy to understand. Also, the normal third party/reliability insurance can remain as it is, while the TECTUS All Risk insurance can be just added on top anytime. There are frame contracts for clubs available, even with reimboursements if the claims experience of the members (of which everybody is insured individually) is positiv.
Enough reasons to make it an easy decision for me to consult TECTUS during the commercial launch. Who ever is interested can get in contact with me anytime for more information. Of course TECTUS can also insure your art collection and other objects of high value - this is where TECTUS comes from.
For further questions you always can get in touch with me (+49-171-5261050
or via Email at info@classicmedia.de).
If you want to get in touch with TECTUS directly, you can call Dr. Franz Ihm or
Mr. Philip Machat:
Tectus Insurance Brokers
Tel: +43 1 996 15 96
Fax: +43 1 996 15 96 - 20
Landhausgasse 2/14
1010 Vienna
Austria
India is not only a very interesting travel destination, full of inspiration and wonderful people. It also is one of the underrated countries in the world, if not the most underrated. The middle class is growing in breathtaking speed. This shows effect in many different areas of social life, one of which is a growing lifestyle sector, demanded by many younger people who are now an interesting traget group for lifestyle magazines. Such a magazine is „Just URBANE“, on the market for just over one year (print & online) and published by Mr. Abhishek Kulkarni, whom I know since several years and who became a dear friend.
Since the June 2018 issue I am on board of „Just URBANE“ and I hope to contribute my small part to the success of this magazine. My first piece is about St. Moritz in winter, which is a perfect combination of the two key themes „travel“ and „classic cars“ (easy to spot the concept of the collaboration I would say!). For me it is another brick in the wall of my efforts to support international and intercultural understanding of people and towrope the golden thread of the Classic Car Movement around the globe.
Read my article in volume June 2018
Read my article in volume July 2018
Bernina Gran Turismo
21.-23.9.18
The Pakistani Truck Art Project
Salon Privé
30.8.-1.9.18
21 Gun Salute Rally & Concours, New Delhi
17.-18.2.18
Tectus Classic Car Insurance
Just URBANE