Scooter News World Vespa Day 2008 Thousands flock to Cefalù and Palermo for Vespa World Days 2008
Piaggio Press Thousands flock to Cefalù and Palermo for Vespa World Days 2008
More than 5,000 Vespa devotees from 15 foreign countries and 3 continents coloured the streets of Cefalù and Palermo and invaded the coast of northern Sicily. An extraordinary success for the 2nd edition of Vespa World Days, the leading international Vespa rally celebrating the world’s most famous scooter and synonym for Italian style.
Palermo, 26 April 2008 – Record crowds turned out again this year for the second edition of Vespa World Days, the international rally for Vespa devotees. Thousands of Vespisti travelled to Sicily from all over the world to take part in the official rally for the mythical Vespa, which, with more than 17 million scooters produced since 1946, has been an object of desire and mode of transport for entire generations.
Cefalù provided a splendid backdrop for the colourful event, which began with the arrival of the first Vespisti on Thursday 24 April and culminated in a memorable motorcade this morning down the state highway from Cefalù to Palermo along Sicily’s north coast.
After travelling almost 70 km along the highway, the spectacular caravan processed through Palermo’s historic centre to the Fiera del Mediterraneo exhibition ground, where more than 2000 Vespisti celebrated the end of the traditional tour. Innumerable Vespa models from all over the world joined the scooter column to Palermo, including such mythical models as the Vespa ET3 from 1975, together with more recent scooters like the stylish GTS 250 or the Vespa 125 LXV (manufactured in 2006 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the world’s top-selling and best known scooter).
Vespa World Days 2008 attracted applause and interest among local residents, and clocked up some impressive figures, with registrations from 140 Vespa Clubs and participants from 15 foreign countries and 3 continents (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Norway, Portugal, Republic of San Marino, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom) for a total of more than 1,400 scooters.
The exciting second edition of the Vespa world rally closes tomorrow. Also thanks to the organisation skills of the Stratos DMC tour operator and the Vespa World Club (formed on 14 March 2006 on the 60th anniversary of the Vespa, to coordinate and promote the events of Vespa organisations around the world), the rally has been an outstanding success, winning an enthusiastic response from Vespa lovers and attracting interest from Sicilians of all ages. Yet another victory for the fascinating world of the Vespa. published 30/04/2008 |