Although only 250 participants had been expected, the rally was attended by about 350 from 11 countries, including several Japanese riders, plus Olga Kojina from Moscow who came with her 18-year-old son. She was a motorcross champion in 1970 and rode a Jawa 350.
Chantal Hertrich from WIMA France shared her memories of the rally: We left, Pierre and I with Alexia, our daughter, who was 31⁄2 years old and too small to travel by motorbike, so we took the car and my motorbike on a trailer. When we arrived at the WIMA camp, there were already a lot of people. What happiness to find the friends that we meet again as we do every year at the rallies! We settled into a room and in the evening, it was a joy to have a drink with everyone. The big tent was full and noisy.
This week, good weather allowed us to discover a beautiful region. The organisers, Charlotte Dubenova and Aléna Aulikova of the Automobile Club of Prague, were very busy alongside Maria Zaluskà, our member from Czech Republic, and Lida Abrahamova. Other helpers were involved, of course.
The opening evening took place in a large hall in the city where the mayor and his wife welcomed us with speeches; there was music, majorettes and girls dancing.
During this week, we raced on scooters, mini motorcycles, and did a handling test (gymkhana) with our motorcycles. And I believe it was BMW that had brought motorcycles to try. One evening, the local firefighters did an exercise to show us how they operate in an accident, to put out a burning car, and to rescue an injured person inside. Impressive!
One of the days, we took part in the touristic rally under sunny skies. We went up in a tower which dominated the city, visited a castle and had to find out the circumference of a huge tree. What a superb day! In the evening, there was the WIMA International general assembly, with the meal and the captains of all the countries present. A small trophy was given to each. So nice!!! Another day we went into Prague by bus. The driver spent the day with us, sometimes carrying Alexia on his shoulders. We went up to the castle, the residence of the president of the Czech Republic. It’s a beautiful city. Another free day, we went to visit the beautiful spa town of Karlovy Vary.
There was a varied programme during this rally. On Friday evening, the tent was full for the awards ceremony. There were loads of prizes, cups and gifts to reward the participants in the events; there were rewards for everyone – even the children! Alexia got a cup and a diploma for being the youngest participant. She was very moved and on the verge of tears with everyone applauding. Ellen Schindler was WIMA Woman of the Year. It was late when we went to bed, but the happy evening continued late into the night without us, with the announcement of the next rally 1997, in Holland at Heythuysen.
On Saturday morning, everyone got ready for the big departure, with the promise to meet again in Holland. This rally was magnificent and superbly organised. For a country where few women rode motorcycles, WIMA was received magnificently.
