Get taken for a ride for L-Istrina

Classic and sports cars, trucks and motorcycles will be jostling for attention on Saturday at Ta' Qali in what promises to be the largest show of vehicles ever held here. The show will be on between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Paqpaqli ghall-Istrina, as the event has been dubbed, is being organised a stone's throw away from the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre tent where L-Istrina - the yearly fund-raising event next weekend.

At a press conference yesterday, Tonio Darmanin, producer and presenter of the TV motoring programme Paqpaq, who is organising the motor show, said enthusiasts will have the chance to see some 200 vehicles while helping those in need with their nominal entrance fee of Lm2. Children under 10 go in for free.

Sixteen clubs, ranging from classic cars, offroaders, military vehicles, American roadsters, trucks and racing bikes, have confirmed their participation, complemented by owners of Ferraris, Aston Martins, Porsches, Rolls-Royces and Bentleys.

Yesterday's news conference, held at the Qawra Classic Car Collection museum, owned by Carol Galea - who owns more than 70 cars - provided a foretaste of the display.

Yet the more exciting part that will also help raise funds, Mr Darmanin said, will be the opportunity for enthusiasts "to be taken for a ride" on a classic or a sports car against a donation that would start from Lm10, depending on the type of vehicle.

"We talk the language of cars and it was only natural for us to organise the largest ever show on the islands. It will be a unique experience for the family," Mr Darmanin said, explaining that though the event was a logistical feat, vehicle owners and clubs had been extremely responsive to the initiative.

He appealed to motoring clubs and individuals owning unique vehicles and who have not been approached to contact him on 7955-9955 or e-mail tonio@paqpaq.tv if they wished to take part in the show.