"We want the Rhodes Circuit and we can" was the message sent by the spontaneous presence of more than 15 thousand people at the Test Event venue, who warmly accepted the invitation of the Rhodes Circuit Organising Committee. On the one hand, the people of Rhodes, gave a thunderous "present" to the absolutely successful first Test Event of the Rhodes Circuit and on the other hand sent a strong message in all directions that Rhodes can and wants to organize such great events, raising the tourist interest and competition to high levels. In fact, it was estimated that if the weather was better, the number of spectators would be more than double, but the forecast for rain during the weekend kept many citizens away from the event.
Under the slogan, "Why Monaco and not Greece? Why Monte Carlo and not Rhodes?", the Region of the South Aegean, the Municipality of Rhodes and the Rhodes Circuit Organizing Committee successfully implemented the first Test Event, one of the first events planned to take place on the island, culminating in the revival after half a century of the legendary Rhodes Speed Race. SpeedSector was delighted to bring the beautiful Super Cars to the island, fleshing out the idea of the first Test Event on the emerald Isle of Knights.
On Saturday morning the SuperCars, which came to Rhodes for the first time, lined up in front of the building of the South Aegean Region, giving a festive and racing colour. The numerous spectators, who were there, admired the beautiful cars and got a first taste of the impressive event that was to follow.
The drivers of the cars started from the square in front of the South Aegean Region to make a first reconnaissance lap of the route with the first destination and stop at the Palace of the Grand Master. There they were met by a crowd of journalists and photographers from all over Greece, who captured the event. The courtyard of the palace was filled with shiny cars and proud owners, while there was no hiding the emotion of the older and the enthusiasm of the younger ones from the reliving of old racing moments.
Then the drivers drove down the pavement of the Knights of Hippo, which echoed with the wild sound of the engines of the super cars. The beautiful cars stopped at the square of the South Aegean Region. There, in a festive atmosphere, they stayed until the afternoon, where an incredible crowd flooded the square and had the opportunity to see the unique Super Cars up close, take pictures with them and talk to their owners and the people of SpeedSector.
It was remarkable that the people who had come to the square showed all their love for the first Test Event. Dads proudly showed their children the Super Cars and explained to them, what each car is and what they are called. Pictures were being taken and taken and the celebration was off to a great start.
The regional councillor, who has the general command of the whole project of the revival of the Rhodes Circuit, Mr. Kallistos Diakogeorgiou, said he was absolutely delighted with the events of the first day and stressed the importance of the international character of the speed race for the island of Rhodes.
On Sunday morning Rhodes was dressed in its festive clothes. Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Lotus, Maserati, BMW, Alfa Romeo, Ford Mustang and many other shiny cars and their drivers were lined up on the grid waiting for the lights to go out for the start of the first Test Event of the Rhodes Circuit, after half a century of silence. First to the starting line were the Rhodesian riders of the Cadmus Riding Club, setting the crowd off on the festive tone of the event by bringing the old glamour of other times to life. The proud horses revived the former medieval glory of the knights and at the same time 'showed the way' to the 'hundreds of horses' of the mighty Super Cars. Behind the horsemen followed the members of the "IKAROS" Motorcycle Club with their motorcycles, reminding that the island's motorcycle racing was equally legendary for motorcycle racing enthusiasts and the epic battles fought half a century ago by the formidable riders.
Above all, however, the presence of the people was brilliant and impressive throughout the race. The people of Rhodes came in forcefully and en masse, filling the streets where the race cars and bikes would pass, while the organizers took care of the safety of the race.
The spectators, estimated at over 15 thousand, had taken up positions on the right and left of the street, on the pavements, dutifully obeying the instructions of the organisers. The Rhodes Circuit Organizing Committee had precisely planned the calendar of the Event, wanting to emphasize the big goal which is, attracting high level tourism. Thus the 3000 passengers of the first cruise ship of 2017, which had anchored in Rhodes, were unexpectedly impressed by the wonderful spectacle of the Test Event.
When the first engine was started, the excitement of the crowd was red hot. The crews set off for the first lap of the course and the camera flashes didn't stop for a moment. Everyone wanted to capture the historic moment. Among the spectators, apart from the citizens of Rhodes, there were several Athenians, such as journalists and reporters of the special press, who showed particular interest in the event, while we "captured" among them the internationally renowned doctor Eleftheria Metania, who for years was a doctor in the WRC and was trusted by all the factory teams and the World Rally Champions. The streets leading up to, and inside, the beautiful Medieval Castle echoed with the racing sounds and the adrenaline flowed through the medieval cobblestones bringing memories to life, while creating new, stronger ones. The Super Cars set the pace of the racing celebration accompanied by the members of the Rhodian Automobile Association. The Rhodian drivers embraced the event with fervour, giving a strong presence with their powerful and noisy cars, thrilling the crowd with their passes.
After the revival of the legendary Rhodes Circuit with the successful Test Event, the Super Cars parked in the square in front of the Region's building, giving again the opportunity to Rhodians and tourists to admire them in person.
The South Aegean Region, especially the regional governor Mr. George Hadjimarkos, who from the beginning believed in the revival of the legendary circus, with the help of the mayor of Rhodes Mr. They have never stopped emphasizing the importance, from the publicity all over the world, of such an event which, apart from increasing tourism in a low season for the island, will also stimulate the local economy. In fact, both the regional governor Mr. George Hatzimarkos and the mayor of Rhodes Mr. Fotis Hatzidiakos showed their support for the revival of the Rhodes Circuit by driving the first two Super Cars in the Test Event.
The members of SpeedSector and the two local motorsport clubs - Rodia Motorcycle Club and Motorcycle Club "IKAROS" - who participated in the event, had their honor throughout the weekend. Their contribution was crucial and effective, without them the "racing" part of the event and much of the organizational part could not have been realized.
The President of the Organizing Committee "Rhodes Circuit", Regional Councillor, Callistos Diakogeorgiou, the President of the Municipal Community of Rhodes, Miltos Pagas, Dimitris Parasos, member of the Organizing Committee and responsible for the route, Kostas Chatzichristodoulou and the lawyer Marinos Ioannis, if anything felt vindicated for sticking to the idea and the absolutely successful first of many events that will follow in order to revive the Rhodes Circuit.
In fact, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee Mr. Callistos Diakogeorgiou, stressed in his statements, the great role and their contribution to the successful conduct of the Test Event, the Dodecanese Police Directorate, the Rhodes Traffic Police, the Coast Guard and all the volunteers. At the same time, giving them an appointment for the next event.
In fact, on Monday, the crews that took part in the Test Event visited the New Marina of Rhodes with their shiny cars, thus emphasizing the goal of the Rhodes Circuit's big project, which is none other than the approach of high-level tourism. There they were warmly welcomed by the Director of Nea Marina Mr. Christoforos Harisis. Of course, there was no lack of people and the media, who were there to record the conclusion of the extremely successful event.
In the end, the first Test Event was considered a complete success, both for the large number of spectators who attended the event, and for the excellent organization and the intense nature of the event, which aimed to attract people from all over the world. Rhodes' goal was made clear to everyone and it is for the Rhodes Circuit to become one of the greatest international races.
Soon the Regional Councillor and Chairman of the Rhodes Circuit Organising Committee, Mr Callistos Diakogeorgiou, will organise a press conference on the successful Test Event.
