Even in our historic vehicle scene, there is no planning certainty due to the virus. Especially not in the first half of 2021, which is why events are already being postponed to the second half of the year.
But in 2020, it turned out that many events had to be canceled completely. Some organizers therefore preferred to take a complete break in 2021. This is understandable when you know how much time the preparations take and the costs involved. Depending on the event, a large proportion of the budget is covered by sponsors. Finding these has never been easy and during the pandemic it became even more difficult.
The big bet
Due to the many canceled events, there is a real "classic car event gap". Ruedi Müller, the organizer of the popular classic car event in Obwalden (O-iO), looked for a new way and found a solution to hold this major event with over 500 classic cars, provided it would be permitted and sensible. The date has been set, as always it is the Whitsun weekend of May 22 and 23, 2021.
The event has been stripped down to the bare essentials, so for example there are no individual rally numbers (according to the age of the vehicles) or personalized badges, etc.
On May 22/23, 2021, it should simply be about meeting up, admiring beautiful cars and seeing them drive. The usual excursions will therefore take place.
This virus will certainly disappear at some point, but nobody knows when that will be. It is therefore possible that Corona will still be raging in May 2021 and that the "O-iO" meeting will not be able to take place in the worst-case scenario.
Ruedi Müller proposes a "bet" of CHF 20.00 as a contribution to the preparatory work, which ensures participation in the meeting and finances the rump organization. This even includes a voucher for a meal in one of the O-iO restaurants.
Should the event have to be canceled, the CHF 20.00 (or CHF 15.00) would be lost, but of course nobody wants to assume that today. In any case, ten percent of the tickets have already been sold in an initial pilot call.
More information can be found on the website of the "Oldtimer in Obwalden" meeting.
