1,000 Miles of Czechoslovakia

1,000 Miles of Czechoslovakia is an endurance rally held annually across the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Formerly a competitive event in the 1930s across Czechoslovakia, it has been revived in recent years as a celebration of vintage automobiles and Central European motoring heritage.

History

Interwar Classics (1933–1935)

The first event took place in 1933, inspired by Italy’s Mille Miglia. Organized by the Czechoslovak Autoclub, it covered roughly 1,600 km from Prague to Bratislava and back on public roads.[1] The final competitive races were held in 1935.[2]

Modern revivals

The rally was revived in 1970 by the Veteran Car Club Prague, featuring contemporary vehicles and a halved distance, though it was discontinued again in 1972 due to safety concerns.[3] In 2015 the rally was revived as an annual event, retracing major stretches of the original route.[1][3]

Annual event

Modern editions feature:

  • Route: Starting point is Prague to Bratislava through the towns of Kolín, Jihlava, Brno and Břeclav, then back to Prague (~1,000 miles / 1,600 km).[1]
  • Duration: Multi-day format (e.g., 12–14 June 2025) with stages across both countries, concluding in front of the National Technical Museum in Prague.[1]
  • Participants: Period vehicles (veteran cars).[2][1]
  • Cultural Program: Alongside the rally are live period music, vintage fashion presentations, and roadside festivities.[1]

Special editions & anniversaries

  • 130th Anniversary of Škoda Auto (2025): The 2025 rally celebrated Škoda Auto's 130th anniversary since their predecessor, Laurin & Klement produced their first car, the Voiturette A in 1905.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Veteran car race to celebrate 130 years of Skoda production". Czech Radio. 2025-06-11. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
  2. ^ a b "Veteran Jawa 750 sports car to take part in 1000 Miles of Czechoslovakia race after 90-year break". Czech Radio. 2024-06-10. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
  3. ^ a b c "1000 mil československých: Legendary Rally Starts on 12 June in Prague". Prague Daily News. 2025-06-04. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
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