President Pavel flags off 1000 Miles of Czechoslovakia veteran rally

President Petr Pavel on Thursday officially started this year's 1000 Miles of Czechoslovakia historic car rally, sending 130 pre-war vehicles from Prague on the traditional route to Bratislava and back. More than half the entries are Czech-made cars, with a 1939 Jawa Minor Roadster leading the field. Speaking at the start, Pavel praised the beauty of pre-war Czechoslovak automobiles and the dedication of enthusiasts who preserve them, calling their work a continuation of the skills of the country's engineers and designers. The three-day event recreates the famous endurance race first held in the 1930s and is open to cars built up to 1939.