The rally was held in the beautiful Alsace region of France and was organised by WIMA France captain, Chantal Hertrich.
Here, in her own inimitable words, is her description of the rally: In 1990, we did not have many members in France; we were only three or four girls participating in the international rallies. And at each rally, I was asked when France would organise an international rally… With my sister Marie-Ange and Véronique Ischia, we had talked about organising a rally in France one day, but without believing in it, because WIMA France was not organised in a club or group. No one paid a subscription apart from me, who contributed to WIMA Germany, to stay in touch with WIMA and I informed the others, French and Italian.
It’s hard to imagine a one-week rally with hundreds of people to manage, where you needed money, organisation but no members to help… Mission impossible! We were part of two motorcycle clubs and spoke to the presidents of these clubs. They decided to help us. And WIMA France, which did not have enough members and no committee, was hosted by the Amicale du Moto club de Barr, WIMA France section.
So, we came into existence, opened a bank account and decided to organise the 1990 rally, in a small village near my home for more convenience. We already had ideas of what we could do, but no computer; everything was done in letters by post, no cell phones. A lot of letters with questions arrived – it was necessary to answer. It took time. It was necessary to do everything… Colossal work! And my business to run! We asked for help everywhere, from my clients, suppliers, friends, family… And we did a cheap rally, with two restaurants and with a free t-shirt: not even 500F (about 72 euros at the time).
And at the end of July 1990, in the middle of a heatwave, we were able to welcome WIMA members from 11 countries in Saint-Pierre in Alsace. And we were only three WIMA France members. Some French women had become members after an article in a newspaper, but they did not come except a 69-year- old member!
There were 180 members from nine different countries, some with their families. Friends from East Germany whom we’d met in Hungary were there, including Tibor and Panni his wife, who had organised the 1988 international rally in Dunaharaszti. There were a lot of side cars and a lot of children. It was joyful!
On the first evening, the mayor of the village offered us a welcome drink at the campsite where the camp was located (plus a large field). It was very hot and no trees to provide shade. A bit difficult to bear. But a lake about 10 km away was very appreciated.
We organised a tourist rally on the wine route, with different physical tests on the route, and a series of questions on arrival at the campsite. We also organised a manoeuvrability test with a velo-chopper. We had to put on a skirt, hat, washing-up gloves very quickly and do a sporting course; it was fun! And with these events, we could do a ranking for the prizes. On Thursday evening, we had organised a barbecue at the campsite and were lucky that the Kronenbourg brewery offered us beer all evening. Another day, a visit to the Council of Europe was organised and a large parade of motorcycles crossed Strasbourg at noon, escorted by Police Motorcyclists. Grandiose! The meal took place at the Restaurant de l’Ancienne Douane, emblematic of Strasbourg. Typical Alsatian cuisine.
And on Friday evening, the prize giving and the farewell dinner took place at the Restaurant Kirmann in Epfig, in a pretty Alsatian setting where a typical meal was served. And good Alsatian wine flowed freely! We had a lot of freebies for everyone, and the sponsors were generous. The beautiful and cheerful distribution of the prizes ended this eventful week, but everything was successful, and this rally was the last one organised in France (until 2023), apart from the small 3-Länder Treffen. This week had happily gone well.
Chantal then added: A Dutch member was hospitalised for an attack of appendicitis. A girl who helped us, met her future husband. And it was the first rally of Doris Porter (later second international vice president) and Rita Koopmanshaap (later international president). It was very heavy work and a lot of stress. But we did it! Thanks to everyone who helped us.
