Turnout at charity car show better than expected

Paqpaqli Ghall-Istrina - in other words "give me money for charity" - was held for the second time yesterday, displaying about 300 vehicles, bringing together 18 car and motorcycle clubs.

Held at the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre, in Ta' Qali, in aid of L-Istrina, it was organised by the producer and presenter of the TV show Paqpaq, Tonio Darmanin.

The money raised will be presented at L-Istrina live TV show next week.

The exhibition's star attraction was a Hummer H3, which was driven overland from Hummer's European headquarters in Amsterdam by organiser Chris Sultana and Mr Darmanin through five countries in 24 hours.

The Hummer was loaned to Paqpaq for the event and will be driven back, Mr Sultana said. Among the highlights was the organisation of "dream rides", whereby visitors paid in the form of an auction for a ride in the Hummer, an Aston Martin, a brand new truck and the oldest car in Malta, a Cadillac, dating back to 1904.

Mr Sultana was pleased with the turnout which, he said, was better than expected.