ASHVEK VINTAGE WORLD (AVW) in association with Gomantak Times successfully organized the first ‘VOLKSWAGEN CARNIVAL RALLY’ on February 26th 2006, amidst much fanfare and excitement. This marked the third occasion where a vintage and classic car rally was organized by AVW in Goa after the rally during the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and the Classic Car Rally both organized in 2004.

The rally, a brainchild of AVW proprietor Mr. Pradeep V Naik was flagged off at 11:30am by the then Minister for Transport, Mr. Pandurang Madaikar in the presence of the then Minister for Power and now Chief Minister, Mr. Digambar Kamat. In all 26 Volkswagen vehicles (including four with left-hand drives) mainly from the 50’s and 60’s participated in the rally.

Prior to the rally, all the participating cars were lined up at AVW, Nuvem from 9am for Volkswagen enthusiasts to see and admire. A talk on ‘Restoration of Volkswagen vehicles’ was presented by Jock Barrelmann, a self-confessed VW addict. “Restoration is like a passion. The Volkswagen car is not just a vehicle, it is like a member of the family”, remarked Jock. “Restoration of the VW vehicle, either from the chassis upwards or a mere touch-up job is justified. There is nothing right or wrong, it is important to keep the legend alive”, he informed with a personal example.

While the oldest VW participant was a 1956 model Beetle, there was also a 1966 Beetle of Uday Bagi (who came down all the way from Kholapur), besides a left-hand drive VW Passat from Porvorim. The rally which commenced at the Ashvek Vintage World showroom, took a left turn at the Colva circle, towards the Fatorda swimming pool and then into the city, taking a round around the Margao municipality before exiting towards Colva beach and then winding up at the Oceanique resort for lunch wherein the cerficates were distributed to the participants.

The back-up service was given by N D Naik while medical service back-up was provided by Vintage Hospital.

(This was the first time a Volkswagen event was organized in India.)

Article by Siddharth Manerkar.