This year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the ACI included an interim report from the organizers of the 2009 ACI Event Of The Year – “75 hours for 75 Years” (of Citroen Traction Avant)

On behalf and as one of the members of the Arras organizer team, Bernie Shaw presented a review of one of the most exciting and well perceived events ever.

Here is their final report:
PowerPoint resp. PDF format

and watch the gallery with some impressions from the event, from their perspective:

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

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This unforgettable event in Arras, in the North Pas-de-Calais region, to celebrate the 75th birthday of the famous Citroën Traction Avant, has brought together more than 1000 Tractions from all over Europe and many more visitors from very distant countries.

Walter Homberger, ACI Event Manager, shares his impressions with you:

“It was without a doubt a big success and will be remembered by every Tractionist who was present in Arras. The organizing team, consisting of members from NL-TAN, B-BOCC, GB-TOC and F-TU, under the guidance of their president André Jacquemain, has done a wonderful job. Congratulations to all of them!

Everyone was impressed by the professionalism of the organization, the exceptional quality of the cars shown in the Museum and all other animations which were offered. The program which was presented during the three days was so varied and full of highlights that every visitor could fully enjoy his stay.

It started on Friday evening with the grand garden party for over 1000 persons at the Pré Fleuri Restaurant, continued on Saturday with lectures by well known Traction Avant historians and the endurance trail in memory of Lecot. The Gala Dinner on Saturday evening was fully booked out with over 450 guests. Unfortunately space was limited, as many more people would have liked to be there. Another highlight on sunny Sunday afternoon was the Grand Parade, representing Traction history since 1934, together with traditional costume groups and local musical bands.

During the three days the two city squares, Grand’ Place and Place des Héros, were blocked of for Tractions only. It was absolutely fantastic to see hundreds of different Traction models parked in long rows on the cobble stone squares and watch local visitors by the thousand stroll between the cars and admiring them.

“75 hours for 75 years” was a superb celebration and will long be remembered by everyone! Arras demonstrated in a very positive way the true spirit of friendship between Traction- and Citroën enthusiasts from all over the world.”

There are many pictures and videos on the web about this great event. Find some eg. on the website of the Traction Avant Owners Club, UK:

http://www.traction-owners.co.uk/social/2009/75-4-75/75-4-75.htm

Enjoy!

The 2009 ACI Event Of The Year is 75 Years Of Traction Avant. We kindly ask all interested visitors to register on the event site now – with your registration, you help the project team to prepare a good event! Thank you.

Find all event information at:

www.75heurespour75ans.com

It is a great honour to confirm, that the ACI Delegates out from 25 countries have elected
“75 Hours for 75 Years – Traction Avant”
as the official “ACI Event of the Year 2009″ – see more details in the ACI Documents section.

Congratulations again to the winners – and hope to see you and your club members this year on the “ACI Event of the Year 2007″ in Borlänge / Sweden!

Now we need your reply – please see attached form and return back to us the results of your national decision for the ACI Event Of The Year 2009.

The document is available for download in the ACI Documents section.

With 13-Apr-2007, all Delegates are asked to spread the Event info to the clubs for decision-taking which “Event Of The Year 2009″ is to be chosen from the 3 applicants: EuroCitro (Le Mans/F), 2CV World Meeting (Czech) or 75 Years of Traction Avant (Arras/F). The reply must be responded back to the ACI Board within 2 months time by the Delegates, i.e. latest until 15-June 2007.

The document is available for download in the ACI Documents section.