FANS OF LEGENDARY TOMOS ENJOYED WITH OVER 50 MODELS ON DISPLAY
OMK Adria organized another time machine on the Sućurac waterfront, with over 50 models on display that attracted glances, smiles and photos from passers-by. Year after year, the event brings together passionate fans of timeless motorcycles. This year too, there was no shortage of fun, competition and nostalgia, and it was great to see a large number of young fans and drivers.
Although he doesn't like to be in the foreground and prefers that other participants tell their stories, Tonći Šiškov's 'Zagor' is the driving force behind such meetings - along with Oldtimer meetings and MZ Jawa ČZ and the beloved Mašokarić's neighbors. With its simplicity and passion, it magnetically attracts like-minded people and hobbyists, even from abroad. Tonći proves that along with cultural tradition, it is also worth nurturing social tradition. Many generations have grown up on the 'sica' Tomos, learning to drive and lift 'on the wheel' in a safe way, because Tomos are a reflection of the past, less hectic times. He sincerely thanks his loyal sponsor To Marko Čarija and to all collectors and friends of the club.
They drove slowly, they drove skillfully, they drove along the waterfront
And what was done? Just like in previous years, a vehicle! They drove slowly, they drove skillfully, they drove along the waterfront. After the initial line-up along the waterfront, a parade was held that showed how much this passion is still alive, because the ratio of young and old drivers was equal. A slow driving competition was held in which the competitors really struggled for just a few meters of road. The skill competition was not a problem, but throwing a can of oil into a bucket while driving certainly was. It was symbolically designed to raise awareness about ecology through a fun game that is a hit every year. Some even joked that it was a 'gasoline bucket' because, no matter how slowly you drive and how well you aim, the can never fall.
There was no one who didn't try, the fans flocked and enthusiastically followed each attempt. In the end, it came to the final between two old veterans, and everything ended on a friendly note.
Trophies were presented to the winners, each for their category, and there was also a distribution of ice cream, which everyone who happened to be there waved at. The meeting took place in a great atmosphere where, without division into better or worse, Tomose looks at each one radiantly, talks about parts, shares experiences and memories...
And we heard a few nice stories.
We also spoke to the young owner of the Colibri model.
- My first motorcycle was an APN4 that I got when I was 12. After that, I bought a Colibri AOS, then a Colibri VS50 from '57 and a Colibri AOS from '71. Then the Colibri 12 from 1960, which we are looking at right now. In the family, Tomosi were driven by great-grandfather, grandfather and his late brother. They didn't have money for a car and had to commute from their home village to work at the shipyard in Trogir every day, and so on for 10 years until they saved up for a car. Unfortunately, my job doesn't allow me to devote more time to my hobby, I would like to travel and ride a Tomos in Slovenia in the future. My friends and several family members who are attending the meeting also share my passion. Retro things are coming back into fashion, and I am sure that Tomosi will become popular again - he said.
The expert restorer Tomos shared a few lines with us.
- We're looking at the T15. The engine is from '72. It's older than me, I'm '76. Luckily, getting parts is no problem. They have everything in Slovenia. I'm ordering today, it'll arrive in three or four days. But I'm only coming to this meeting, more locally. To me, all Tomos are beautiful, and a lot of effort and work is needed to service and restore them. You can't charge for that. That's why sometimes I don't charge for repairs. It's more important that the oldtimers continue to live - he said.
Photo/video: Andrej Valentić
