Mr. Thierry Giovannoni of GTO, organiser of the event in Malta, Mr. David Mifsud, Chief Executive, MTA, Mr. Gianfranco Selvaggi, CEO of the ADT and Dr. Paul Borg Olivier, Mayor, Valletta were present at the press conference on Wednesday May 30, at noon at the Valletta Waterfront, to launch the first edition of the Grand Prix de Malte, as well as representatives of the Old Motors Club and Touring Club (Malta).

The Grand Prix de Malte – Classic Cars Grand Prix

The first edition of the Grand Prix de Malte, a rally for ‘Classic Cars’ will be held around Valletta between 20 - 29 October 2007.

M. Giovannoni, organiser of the Grand Prix de Malte, kicked off the Press Conference, stating that he was very pleased to be organising the event here in Malta for the first time. There would be almost a whole week of activities in between October 20 until October 29 when all the participants will be here. The culminating point will be the Grand Prix competition that will take place on Valletta’s ring road on Sunday, October 28 in the morning

He was very thankful to the MTA, The Classic Cars Association, the Valletta Local Council and the ADT for their support.

The Grand Prix’s long standing participants, who for the last ten years, have been taking part in the Tunis Grand Prix, have already been informed about the Malta Grand Prix and a promotional brochure has also been published to entice them to participate in the event. Up to now some 15 of them have already confirmed their participation. Some 100 cars are expected to participate, with vehicle models ranging in age from 1910 – 1975, hailing from Europe and further afield. The route of the Grand Prix will be the Valletta ring road.

Mr. Gianfranco Selvaggi, the ADT’s CEO stated that on the day when the event will be held there will be special traffic arrangements in operation for traffic entering and exiting Valletta. He was envisaging that even the bus terminus would be shifted from its present site to another place (closer to the park and ride area) to allow for the competition to take place and to create a proper area for a pit-stop.

The Malta tourism Authority’s CEO, David Mifsud, said that the event was very close at heart to the MTA. The MTA fully realised the potential of the event as a crowd puller, judging from what may be observed from similar events elsewhere. He also envisaged good press coverage for the event.

Dr. Paul Borg Olivier, Valletta Mayor, said that it was ironical that following the introduction of the new CVA system the Council was supporting the Grand Prix which will be held in October along the ring road!. Nevertheless, he stated that this event definitely met with the Council’s approval – Cars bringing pleasure, rather than cars causing pressure!