The stars of the Golden Steering Wheel will start the Oldtimer Express

The traditional Czech poll for the best racers - Golden Steering Wheel - will recognize the stars of domestic and world motorsport at the beginning of May. Fans can vote for their favorites online until April 15 at www.zlatyvolant.cz . The poll is also being joined for the second time this year by the Oldtimer Express endurance race of Czech veterans, which is heading to Athens this time.

The Golden Steering Wheel award ceremony will take place at the National Technical Museum on Friday, May 3. The Czech winners will be decided by a public vote and a jury of leading motoring journalists. However, the names of the foreign stars who will receive the award have already been announced by the organizers.

The Golden Steering Wheel for a world-class motorsport personality will be received by five-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner and Formula 1 driver Emanuele Pirro. The Italian racer, who until recently worked as McLaren's director of young driver development, will join the select group of stars such as Emerson Fittipaldi, Michael Schumacher, Mika Hakkinen and John Haugland who have received the Golden Steering Wheel in the past.

Gregorio Lavilla, a former Spanish motorcycle racer who now heads the WorldSBK World Superbike Championship as the championship director, will personally receive the Golden Handlebar. The Eliška Junková Award for the best female racer will be received by Czech-Slovak racer Katarína Kývalová.

All together on Saturday, May 4, the Oldtimer Express endurance race of 43 Czech veteran cars will start from the National Technical Museum, which will travel through Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro to Greece. After 2,500 km divided into five stages, the cars will arrive at the finish line in Athens.

"Last year we went to Istanbul with the Oldtimer Express, this Olympic year we symbolically chose Athens," describes the intention of Josef Zajíček, who is the founder of Oldtimer Express and also the organizer of the Golden Steering Wheel poll and thus decided to connect the two events. "I would like to thank the jury and all the motorsport fans who will send votes for their favorites in this year's Golden Steering Wheel, and at the same time I would like to invite everyone to the ceremonial start of the Oldtimer Express. In addition to the beautiful veterans, they will be able to meet the main stars of the Golden Steering Wheel and other interesting personalities not only from the world of motorsport," invites Josef Zajíček to the ceremonial start of the Oldtimer Express, which will take place on Saturday morning, May 4th, from the National Technical Museum in Prague.

The Golden Steering Wheel poll is the oldest Czech motoring poll and has existed since 1976. The names of the nominated athletes in the Golden Steering Wheel, Golden Handlebar and Talent of the Year categories can be found on the website  www.zlatyvolant.cz , where public voting is taking place from April 8 to 15. The Golden Steering Wheel traditionally includes the Golden Eye poll, where photographers specializing in motorsport can send their photos.

Schedule

April 8 - public voting begins on the website  www.zlatyvolant.cz

April 15 - end of public voting

May 3 - Golden Steering Wheel poll announcement ceremony at NTM Prague

May 4th - start of the Oldtimer Express

Emanuele Pirro (born 12 January 1962) is an Italian racing driver with a rich career that includes successes in Formula One, touring cars and endurance racing, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where he won five times. Pirro was also twice Italian karting champion (1976, 1979) and Formula Fiat Abarth champion (1980). Two-time Italian touring car champion (1994, 1995), two-time Italian overall champion (1995, 1996) and German touring car champion (1996). His impressive achievements in endurance racing rank him among the best drivers in this discipline. In addition to a record five victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans (2000, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2007), he also won the ALMS championship twice (2001, 2005) and triumphs in races such as the 12 Hours of Sebring (2000, 2007) and Petit Le Mans (2001, 2005, 2008). His notable achievements include victories in races such as the 24 Hours of Nürburgring (1989), the Macau Guia Race (1991, 1992) and the Goodwood RAC Historic TT. Pirro participated in more than 500 official national and international races, leaving an unforgettable mark on the world of motorsport and becoming an icon in his field.

Gregorio Lavilla (born 29 September 1973) is a Spanish former motorcycle road racer. He competed in MotoGP (250/500/MotoGP), the World Superbike Championship and the British Superbike Championship, winning the British crown in 2005. In 2008, he raced in WSB for the Ventaxia Honda team, finishing 12th in the championship. In 2009, he competed in four rounds of the WSB series with the Guandalini Racing Ducati team. In 2013, he joined MotoGP and WorldSBK promoter Dorna and is currently the Executive Director of the WorldSBK championship.

Katarína Kývalová , a Czech-Slovak racer living in Germany. She focuses primarily on historic car racing. She founded the women's Bentley Belles team and regularly competes in events such as Le Mans Classic, Mille Miglia, Monaco Grand Prix Historique and others. Shortly after receiving the Eliška Junková Award in Prague, she will head to China, where she will compete in the Beijing Paris 2024 race on May 18.