Rømø Motorfestival 2016 - Pre-war rarities with spinning wheels in the sand

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on September 23, 2016

Reading time 5min

Written by:

Martin Schröder

Photos:

Fabian Braunwarth

Martin Schröder

Detlef Huke

Stefan Sell

Römö Motorfestival

S. Sell

Fabian Braunwarth

Martin Schröder

Detlef Huke

Stefan Sell

Römö Motorfestival

S. Sell

172

Mikael Johannsen gibt seinem Ford V8 Roadster von 1930 am Römö Motorfestival 2016 kräftig die Sporen

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Bild von Partner Porsche AMAG November Foto-Galerie 2025

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ford Boattail (1930) - Der Spruch gilt auch heute noch: "In my day, the drivers were fat and the tires were skinny"

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ford Roadster (1932) am Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mächtiger V8 vorne im Ford Roadster von 1932 - Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Der Motor des Ford Roadsters von 1932 am Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ford Roadster von 1932 am Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tiefergelegter VW Käfer (1950) am Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ford Phaeton (1932) am Römo Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ford Roadster (1932) vs. Ford Roadster (1932)

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Eine Indian Chief (1936) behauptet sich gegen ihren Motorradgegner am Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Racing Team

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - 1932er Ford V8 Edelbrock

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Grosse Klappe

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Abnahme der Rennstrecke durch die Polizei, links Race Chief Bredahl

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Blick von oben

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Eine der Starterinnen

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Sprecher bei der Aktion

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Starterin

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Startsituation

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

ALF Boattail von 1914 am Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Nase vorn

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

ALF Boattail von 1914 am Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Probefahrt am Strand

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Motorräder

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Die Starterin

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Fahrerlager

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Fahrerlagerlager und Startlinie

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Special

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Zwei Wagen beim Start

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Zwei Wagen vor dem Start

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Zwei Motorräder beim Start

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - an einer 20er Jahre-Limousine befestigter Streckenplan

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Startturm

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Vor dem Start

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Start

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Start der PS Monster

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - So alt wie sein Auto

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Römö Motor Festval

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Motorinspektion am Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Harley vs Harley

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Fahrer Briefing

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Die Schlangenlinie

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Augen für die Starterin

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Nimbus mit Beiwagen

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ein Speed Shop - Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Speed Shop

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Die beiden Goliaths, vorne der ALF Boattail von 1914

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Erster Start

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Thomas Bredahk u. Sprecher vor dem Turm

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Stilsicheres Zuggespann mit Auburn vorne und Hot Rod auf dem Anhänger am Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Auburn als Zugfahrzeug, Special auf dem Hänger - Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Cadillac mit Wohnwagen

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Chevrolet Street Rod in zeitgemässer Aufmachung - Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Nimbus - Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Nimbus Sport Scout (1938) - Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Die rchte Zylinderbank mit Auspuffanlage eines A.L.F. - Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

ALF Boattail von 1914 am Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Cockpit

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

ALF Boattail von 1914 am Römö Motorfestival 2016 - startklar

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ford Coupé von 1931 am Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mit dem Nimbus Pick-Up stilgerecht zum Rennplatz - Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mir Klebeband wird zur Not die Startnummer selbst fabriziert - Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ford Roadster von 1930 am Start am Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

1930er Ford mot 4-Zylinder Riley-Motor - Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ford Boattail von 1930 am Start des Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Indian - Roter Bruder der Harley am Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ford A im Fahrerlager des Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Herrlicher Mercury im Fahrerlager des Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ford Phaeton von 1932 am Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ford Roadster von 1929 am Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ford Roadster von 1928 am Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kettenbetriebene Hinterachse des ALF Boattail von 1914 am Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Auch "Custom Cars" am Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ford Boattail von 1930 am Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ford Roaster von 1930 am Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Startvorbereitungen am Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ford Coupé von 1928 am Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Das Motorrad Nimbus wird stilgerecht auf dem alten Truck vorgefaren am Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Nimbus Sport Scout von 1938 am Römö Motorfestival 2016

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Il Drago Ruggente von 1924 am Römö Motorfestival 2016

Bild Mikael Johannsen gibt seinem Ford V8 Roadster von 1930 am Römö Motorfestival 2016 kräftig die Sporen

Ford V8 Roadster (1930)

The unknown island

Römö - what is it? Where is it? These and similar questions come up when people talk about the Römö Motor Festival. However, if you talk about your vacation on Sylt, everyone knows immediately, also thanks to the many Sylt stickers on the rear of Audis, BMWs and Porsches.

Well, Römö is the island three kilometers north of Sylt, connected by a ferry, 129 km² in size, 591 inhabitants and a multiple of tourists, belonging to Denmark and accessible from the mainland via a causeway.

Bild Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Blick von oben

It is the island of kiters and colorful kites, but above all the island where the beach is a public road and is used as such by tourists with caravans. So a motor festival on public roads? To answer this question, we have to turn our attention to an island further north, namely the island of Fanö off Esbjerk, which is even smaller than Römö, but also has a very wide and long beach, made of firm and smooth sand.

Car racing in the sand

Ford Roadster (1931)

From 1919 to 1924, car races in the form of one-kilometer and one-mile sprints actually took place on Fanö. Mercedes, Sunbeam, Fiat and Opel were the brands that sent cars to Fanö. The winners were Minoia, Ottosen, Duff, Joerns in 1922 and 1924 and finally the unforgettable Campbell, who set a world speed record of 16.41 seconds (219.38 km/h) over the flying kilometer and 26.14 seconds (220.35 km/h) over the flying mile in 1923. At the same time, it was a wheel that came off Campbell's car that fatally hit a young spectator in 1924, putting an end to the races on Fanö. There were attempts to revive the tradition of beach racing on Fanö in 1999 and 2004, but then it was finally over.

The new start in Römö

So it was quiet until a year ago, when a group of enthusiasts led by Thomas Bredahl from southern Denmark came together to re-establish the tradition of beach racing on Römö. Their vision for 2016 was to revive the beach races in Denmark and the excitement of the 1920s, like the races on Fanö.

Bild Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Die Starterin

They wanted to organize an annual race for pre-war hot rods, specials, racing cars and motorcycles. It was to become a whole motor festival that would take you back to the 20s and 30s.

Römö was to become a meeting place for people with gasoline in their blood, freely adapted from Froilan Gonzales' saying "In my day, the driver's were fat and the tires were skinny"

Ford Coupé (1930)

So they activated their network to acquire participants from Sweden, Germany and, of course, Denmark. It quickly became apparent that this was the easiest task. The negotiations with the authorities were much more complex and time-consuming, especially with the environmental authorities. But of course also with the traffic authorities, as a stretch of public road had to be cleared for the event.

Once these negotiations had been successfully concluded, Bredahl and his team set themselves the goal of using the 2016 event to lay the foundations for future beach races in Denmark, build a trusting relationship with local and national authorities and ultimately initiate a learning process for the further development of the event.

Römö Beach Race 2016

The event was set for September 10, 2016, with preparation and driver briefing from 9.00 am and the races from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm. The following racing classes were defined:

Four Bangers - four-cylinder engines
V8 Flat Head engines - Ford V8 thirties
Heritage engines - specials with large-volume engines, including aircraft engines

The number of participants was limited to 40 due to the available space (30 cars and 10 motorcycles).

Bild Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Startsituation

The "race track" ran for 201 m with a standing start for two vehicles at a time, i.e. a classic acceleration race in which the aim was to transfer the power to the sand as effectively as possible The spectators stood to the side behind contemporary straw bales.

Originally, a timekeeping system with a knockout system was planned to determine the respective class winner. However, the organizers had to abandon this this year on the instructions of the police.

Ford Roadster (1932)

The race director sat on a high seat next to the starting line, and the race was also started by a young lady with a flag. The drivers stepped on the gas to show their "opponents" what they were made of. But these duels were not the only highlights.

VW Käfer (1950)

Also invited to the event, not the race, were pre-war and 1950s vehicles of all kinds, resulting in a diverse, colorful and in every respect likeable field of participants. Participants and spectators were asked to wear period outfits - Goodwood sends its regards.

Bild Impressionen des Römö Motorfestival 2016 - Erster Start

What regularly leads to discussions, if not disagreements, at classic car events is the question of "original or not? At the Römö Motor Festival, however, there was simply no need to ask this question. Because all the vehicles are specials and therefore originals in the sense of "the work of the builder". Starting numbers were painted on the car or glued on in a makeshift manner, just like in the old days.

Ford Roadster (1932)

In addition to the cars, interesting and rare motorcycles were also waiting for their turn. The field of participants consisted of four Harleys and two Indians, an Ariel, a Rudge Ulster and two Nimbuses. And we want to take a closer look at these Nimbus with 4-cylinder in-line engines from 1938 and 1939, as they are rarely seen outside Denmark.

Bild Nimbus Sport Scout von 1938 am Römö Motorfestival 2016

The two design features are the steel strip frame and the 4-cylinder in-line engine with external valve lifters. To counteract the frame's susceptibility to torsion, the engine is designed as a load-bearing element.

Bild Das Motorrad Nimbus wird stilgerecht auf dem alten Truck vorgefaren am Römö Motorfestival 2016

The Nimbus arrived at the racetrack in style on the loading floor of an American pickup truck.

In addition to the pre-war racing cars and motorcycles, there were also cars from the graffiti scene, lowered Beetles and all kinds of "customized" cars on display, so no visitor was sure to get bored.

Bild Stilsicheres Zuggespann mit Auburn vorne und Hot Rod auf dem Anhänger am Römö Motorfestival 2016

There is no need to say that the weather was perfect, that all the cars remained intact, that participants and visitors were enthusiastic and got their money's worth, that the Römö Motor Festival was an all-round successful event and that Thomas Bredahl and his team deserve unreserved praise. Nevertheless, we do, because this event has revived the tradition of beach racing in Denmark in a wonderful way. And we look forward to the next, perhaps even bigger and more sporting event.