The weekend of 17th and 18th May at the Sosnová Classic event was all about celebrating Škoda Auto. The brand continued its 130th anniversary festivities and also marked the 50th anniversary of the iconic Škoda 130 RS racing model. Among the visitors on Saturday was none other than the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel.
This year’s Sosnová Classic featured a packed program, with Škoda vehicles playing a major role. President Petr Pavel even took the co-driver’s seat in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 on the Sosnová track. He was driven by race car driver Filip Kohn, who, alongside former WRC2 world champions Jan Kopecký and Andreas Mikkelsen, showcased the performance and capabilities of the brand's racing special.
The president arrived at the Sosnová event on his own motorcycle as part of a ceremonial ride, after first unveiling a glass sculpture of legendary motorcycle racer Václav Vondřich in T. G. Masaryk Square in Česká Lípa. Exactly 120 years ago, Vondřich won an unofficial motorcycle world championship in Dourdan, France, on a Laurin & Klement motorcycle, helping to launch the rich motorsport legacy of the Mladá Boleslav brand. A historical Laurin & Klement motorcycle was also displayed at the Škoda stand in Sosnová, reminding visitors of the heroic achievements of early racers, as the brand celebrates its 130th anniversary.
The Škoda 130 RS racing car also celebrated its 50th birthday in grand fashion. A total of 13 cars gathered for the event—three from the Škoda Museum and ten brought by private owners. Among them was legendary driver John Haugland, one of Škoda’s factory drivers during the 130 RS’s golden era. Fellow racers Václav Blahna and Ladislav Křeček were also present. The carmaker honoured the 130 RS’s legacy by unveiling a special commemorative livery for its current Fabia RS Rally2, inspired by the design of the 130 RS from the 1977 Monte Carlo Rally.
Other beautiful examples of Škoda vehicles were also on display, representing both the modern lineup and the brand’s rich heritage. One major highlight was the Škoda Sport, which competed in the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1950. Taking the wheel was none other than Hans-Joachim Stuck, a two-time winner of this legendary endurance race.
