In many respects this rally was kicked off by the intention of arranging for a selected few

                 restored trucks and buses in be in attendance at private premises where the collection of

                 the Malta Historic Vehicles Trust is held at another former RAF airfield (although better known

                 as HMS Falcon a Royal Naval Air Station) at Hal Far. The occasion was to coincide with

                 the visit of usually around 40 enthusiasts arranged annually by Richard Stedall on behalf of the

                 Maltese Transport News.  For circumstances beyond the control of the Trust this was not

                 possible at the selected area so another had to be found.  In the end an area central to Malta

                 at  Ta Qali was selected and after due permission was received from the local authorities and

                 the Police it was realized that a significant area was available.  The organizer then took a gamble

                 by funding the advertising and with the help of George Said of the Trust invitations were spread

                 around like confetti with the hope of at least achieving a 50% turnout of those invited. A small

                 team was put together from Trust members and friends to marshal the parking areas.

                 Overall some 150 invitations were made to targeted owners, hauliers and the public services and

                 with what was considered to be a reasonably favourable response on invitation - fingers were crossed.

                 Fear did not come into it but apprehension was very much to the fore on what would turn up.

                 Spread out over the wide open spaces on a clear but windy morning the first vehicle to arrive was

                 Bezzina's mighty Rotinoff Super Atlantic followed by their Scammell Contractor with their rarely

                 seen AEC Matador gun tractor.  The scene was then set as they were quickly followed by large

                 contingents from the Malta Police and the Civil Protection Department.  By the end we were well over

                 100 vehicles achieving a turnout of over 75% against invitations.  It was perhaps unfortunate that a

                  number of large operators and individuals failed to show on the day including a fair number of buses

                  which was very disappointing.  Nevertheless, a number of unknown and uninvited vehicles arrived

                  obviously in response to the advertising which more than made up the numbers and disappointment.

                  One plus factor was that many of the visitors were recognized owners and drivers who were merely

                  exercising the usual Maltese reticence to see whether they would participate in the future. Some even

                  went home and brought their vehicles in so it can be assumed that a pretty good job had been done.

                  National TV and the media were in attendance which also raised the profile of the event.