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FUNCHAL, A DESTINATION OF UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

Funchal and the funchalenses have a great passion for motorsport.

Few things could be as unanimous and present in our collective ideals as our cars and our rally, which we have cherished and shared since childhood, in a family testimony that passes from parents to children. The people of Madeira like cars of all kinds, from the cane cars we made as children, to racing cars, to the basket cars, to those we have in the garage, to the ones we just bought, to the oldest of all.

It is no wonder, therefore, that the “Classic Motor Exhibition” is, every year that passes, a great poster of our city, even if it has an indelible share of its own merit. For a variety of reasons, it was an ambitious event since the first hour, because it is, after all, the largest exhibition of old vehicles in Portugal, but, in equal measure, because it was an event that knew how to grow sustainably, without ever resting in the shadow of the laurels received.

Along with the iconic image of the hundreds of vehicles displayed on Avenida do Mar, a landmark that makes the delight of thousands of funchalenses and foreigners who visit every year, the celebration would no longer be the same, for example, without the Rampa dos Barreiros, an introduction of those who have a vision for the meaning of an event like this to the Madeiran people, and sensitivity to what works, what dazzles and what has the potential to grow amongst us.

That is why, once again with the support of the Funchal City Council, it will be possible to increase the number of exhibitors and the number of participants of this year’s Rampa dos Barreiros, as well as consolidate a two-day event, culminating in a grand closing ceremony , where large national and foreign publications dedicated to this theme will be present, in a clear example of the promotion of the Funchal destination and which underlines, if necessary, the justification of our support.

In any case, nothing justifies our support better than the genuine wealth of this race for our city. Because it is a show with a special character that, unlike so many other auto shows scattered around the world, is not reserved for the fans; on the contrary, it is a family event, frequented by kids and adults, by mothers and grandparents, who delight in spending a weekend appreciating the old machines, reviewing the memories of the cars but, even more importantly , their own. Some of which are even there on show, for the eyes of the city and the pride of the family.

The City Council of Funchal has to support those who deserve it, it is fitting to support what is an added value for our city, for those who live here and for all those who visit us. It is worth supporting experiences that, valuing our identity, are differentiating, and add quality to our tourist destination. That is why we are one of the main and most dedicated sponsors of this initiative from the very first moment and that is why the aura that the Classic Motor Exhibition acquires today is something that we are very proud of. Therefore, I have no doubt that this seventh edition will be another huge reference in the calendar of the great events of the city.

A word of thanks to the organizers and all participants, and welcome to all those who join us for this unique experience in Funchal. The pleasure is all ours.

Paulo Cafôfo
The Mayor of Funchal