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The
Syrian Automobile Club
Past & Present
Established
in 1950 , the
Syrian Automobile Club
(SAC) became a member of the international
Automobile Federation “FIA” in
1960 .
Since then it has been the official representative
of this federation in the Syrian Arab republic.
SAC issues international driving licenses ,
international vehicle registration licenses , and
customs passage carnets , and cooperates with other
Automobile and touring clubs in promoting tourism
and travel across countries . Moreover , SAC
participates in all regional and international FIA
conferences .
In the field of motor sport , SAC participated in
some trials for rallies and speed tests in the 60s
and 70s . However , this sport was neglected for a
quarter of a century due, mainly , to economic and
political reasons.
The year 1998 witnessed
a comeback of this sport , when SAC participated in
organizing the London Cape
Town cross country rally passing through
Syria .
SAC , in cooperation with all government authorities
, spared no effort in making the Syrian stage a
remarkable success and was voted the best among the
twenty nine Countries the rally passed through .
SAC received many letters of appreciation from the
organizing committee and the participants.
Ever since , motor sport momentum in Syria increased
rapidly . In the year 2000 , SAC cooperated with “
Syroco “ a Syrian rally company , in organizing the
first Syrian international rally which became a
stage of the Middle East rally championship . S.A.C
. continued its support during 2001 and 2002 .
In
2001 , another
international cross-country rally the
Master Rally
from France to Jordan , a stage in the world cross –
country championship passed through Syria , and in
2002 similar rallies “
Trial to the Nile “ ( Germany to Egypt )
and “ Midnight
Sun to the Red Sea
“ ( Norway To Jordan ) also crossed Syria . In all
these international events, the same success story
as for the London – Cape
Town rally was repeated for Syria and for
SAC. Praise and acclaim were made by European
organizers , participants and Media.
International Cross Country Rallies
History
in Syria is not an abstract idea or a mere dusty
manuscript in a library or museum . It is a living
phenomenon which can be felt and seen anywhere in
Syria.
This country is the
cradle of many civilizations . The old kingdom of
Ugarit devised the first alphabet thousands of year
ago . On the banks of the Euphrates, man first
cultivated the land . Alkhabour, one of that river’s
tributaries once witnessed the discovery of copper
to be made malleable. It has become universally
acknowledged that Syria possesses a history second
to none.
With this in mind ,
the Syrian Automobile Club started a campaign to
attract the attention of foreign , specially
western, tourists and motor sport lovers , to visit
Syria . In addition to enhancing tourism in Syria ,
this campain will present Syria as it really is ,
not as the western media tries to show it . This
campain achieved its goals as results show.
1- London
Cape town Rally Nov. 1998
The first cross country rally London – Cape town
organized by “HERO” England passed through Syria
.More than 240 people from 16 different
nationalities , in a caravan of 100 classic cars
made the journey that lasted eleven weeks through 29
countries.
Entering Syria in “
Kasab” , the northern border town , SAC , in
cooperation with all government authorities ,
organized a marvelous reception ceremony with brass
band and easy border formalities . SAC staff
accompanied the Rally for 2 days until reaching the
Jordanian border , crossing the beautiful mountains
, the great castles and a formal reception party in
the Damascus Meridian hotel.
Organizers and participants
Comments:
Lord steel Aikwood ( David steel the former leader
of the British liberal part): participant in his
Austin Gipsy wrote in a report to the Daily
Telegraph … “ Syria has been voted the most helpful
country … , a brass band in bright blue uniforms met
the rally at the border , most efficient handlers to
sweep through border formalities …”.
John Brown : president of HERO England the rally
organizer : in many letters of gratitude to SAC “ …
The Hero and Brown family is most grateful for your
excellent organization … “.
Lionel and Priscilla Mayall in their Toyota land
cruiser No.: A 26 .
“ a real adventure of a lifetime …….. every where
school children cheered … never before have I found
my arms tired from waving …. the memory of those
children will remain with me long after return to
our paler-faced brood”.
David Begins car No.:
2 in his 1923 Vauxhall after entering Syria “ … no
intimidating encounters and all locals were
fantastic in being helpful and friendly . It needs
people with our experience to straighten the false
impressions we are served up as news”…
Mark and Olpha Gibbon
in their Jeep wrangler A.16 “ … then more dream like
sequences …” , entering Syria “ … wasn’t the people
meant to be the center of international terrorism ?
… unbelievable welcome for over 300Km. Wonderful
people and stunning hospitality , we will return
when we wake up.”
2- The Master Rally
2001 : stage six of the cross country world
championship:
More than 250 vehicles including 100 cars and 50
motorcycles , competing for the world championship ,
and a great number of organizers media and supply
cars , plus 3 medical and photo aircrafts started
from Marseilles in mid July 2001 , through eastern
Europe around the Mediterranean countries to the
finish point at “ Petra” Jordan.
Entering Syria the evening of 7 Aug. had there first
night stop beside st. Simion Castle . Entering Syria
was a unique experience , as Rene’ Medge , the
Master Rally organization president, and a long time
world champion in cross country rallies commented ,”
SAC was more than 100% perfect in organization and
assistance “.
The Master web side wrote :
On July 8, the rally covered 620 km from St. Simion
, Aleppo to the great Euphrate DAM and lake Assad ,
then a 360 km special stage through ancient Rasafeh
, then eastern Al-Heir palace to launch the night
stop at the jewel of the desert “ Palmyra”. SAC
organized a reception dinner party at the bedouin
tent where high officials and a huge crowd welcomed
the rally.
9 July , the rally
covered another dessert special stage before
entering Damascus , and a special route through the
old city with cheering crowds and refreshment stops
, then towards the Jordanian border where all
formalities were very efficient and officials bid
farewell to each person with folk dancing “ Debkeh”
by the local folkloric band.
The “ Master” daily
press bulletin was all about the unique experience
entering and crossing Syria . It nearly neglected
the most important news of a world championship
rally . It ended with the following ,” We must not
forget we are in a Race” and proceeded with the
results of that day. |
