(PHOTO) Forty years of the Maribor Veteran Club: Once kings of the road, now precious antiques

Veteran Club Maribor, the oldest Slovenian club dedicated to enthusiasts of vintage vehicles, celebrated its 40th anniversary with a special event held at Vetrinjski Dvor. The celebration included a ceremonial gathering and exhibition, followed by the traditional Rally Štajerska, which commenced on Saturday, August 22nd. Despite being held on the fourth rather than third Saturday of August, the tradition remained unchanged, highlighting the enduring significance of the event. The choice of Vetrinjski Dvor for the celebrations was deliberate, as it marks one of the earliest milestones in the club’s history. Four decades ago, the club's inaugural rally took place there, making the location a symbol of continuity and heritage. This year’s rally, known as Štajerska 2026, saw participants embark on a 63-kilometer journey through Maribor and surrounding areas. The route began at Glavni trg, leading participants toward Bohov, where they would face skill-based challenges at the E.Leclerc shopping center parking lot. From there, the convoy moved through Botanični vrt, passing through towns such as Razvanje, Radvanje, Pekre, Limbuš, and Laznica before reaching Bezene, where they would spend the night at the home of local residents. The journey continued through Ruše to the hydroelectric power plant Fala, offering a visit to a museum collection. Participants then returned towards Maribor, concluding their day around 5:15 pm at the Gurman church on Tezna, where vehicles were once again displayed, and prizes were awarded to the best participants. Throughout the day, vintage cars could be spotted not only at the starting point but along the entire route. For those wishing to view them up close, both the start and the finish line offered opportunities. The rally served as more than just a competition; it was a celebration of automotive history, emphasizing precision, endurance, and camaraderie among participants. Stanko Kokol, current president of the club, emphasized that vintage vehicles are not merely machines made of iron, chrome, and wood. Each car carries a story, of time, people, and hands that built and preserved them. The club’s mission, he explained, goes beyond collecting vehicles; it is about preserving memories, traditions, and technical evolution. Igor Jurišić, a city councilor of Maribor and member of the club, highlighted the importance of technical cultural heritage, often overlooked in discussions about culture and historical legacy. He noted that technical heritage forms the foundation of almost all other cultures, particularly in Maribor, which has grown on these roots. Jurišić pointed out that Slovenia has numerous technical achievements of global significance, such as the gramophone, small aircraft, exhaust systems, and ship propellers. Clubs like Veteran Club Maribor play a crucial role in ensuring this technical history does not fade into obscurity. The club’s vehicle collection is extensive and diverse, featuring automobiles, motorcycles, and even motorhomes from different eras of automotive history. A few examples from the club’s fleet illustrate the breadth of its holdings: a Fiat Balilla from 1934 and a Norton CJ from 1939, alongside Mercedes models that showcase the club’s commitment to preserving automotive heritage.