The Czech Golden
Helmet of Pardubice Pardubice Golden
Ribbon (Zlata Stuha) The Slovak Golden Helmet of
Zarnovica
The Golden Helmet of
Pardubice, Czechia (and of the former
Czechoslovakia.) .
The
Golden Helmet of Pardubice competition has been run since 1929 and
has been a prestigious motorcycle event in Eastern Europe and wider
since its early days, with over 70 riders from as many as 18
different countries participating pre-war, and attendances of over
120,000 post-war and 100,000 for its 1960s resurrection following the
years of communist suppression. Having commenced as a grass event on
the famous 2.4km(1½mile) Pardubice steeplechase course the event
transferred to the cinder speedway track of a purpose-built adjacent
course in 1964.
The
table below, - colour-coded for ready analysis - , shows that despite
many attempts by star name New Zealand World Champions Briggs and
Mauger, they failed to capture a Golden Helmet. (A new unique helmet
is presented every year for the winner's retention, as well as a full
Jawa speedway machine.) Ole Olsen, however was successful on a record
7 occasions during the 1970s, with local hero Jiri Stancl pushing him
hard through the same period, - only once did these two not take the
trophy over a 13 year period ! (Note also Stancl's record in the
national Czech championships over this period, - 12 speedway and 6
Long Track title wins ! ) In more recent years Australia has
provided the winner 8 times through Ryan Sullivan (2x), Leigh Adams
(4x), and Jason Crump (2x).
Above right :
1935 programme, GH #.7
1947: Main Stand and Starting
Gate, and 120,000 spectators
Click thumbnail to view full-size tables
At the gate for the off:- 1947, 1968, 2008 Track action:- 1947, 1968 (Briggo),
2008
Jiri Stancl & his 5 GHs Igor Plechanov, GHs #.16 & #.18 Emil Sayfutdinov 2016
Pardubice Golden
Ribbon Run in conjunction with the Golden
Helmet as a junior event on the opening day, the Golden Ribbon contest was
initiated in 1975 and also gives juniors a qualification route to the senior
competition.
The Golden Helmet Of Zarnovica,
Slovakia
The
Zarnovica Golden Helmet, though a newer competition than that of
Pardubice has nonetheless been raced for for over 50 years, though
never matching the status of its neighbour in its Czechoslovak sister
state. The cinder track was built in 1953 when initially a 'Silver
Helmet of Zarnovica' was first competed for.
The
Golden Helmet competition began in '59 in nearby Banska Bystrica,
relocated to Zarnovice in 1962, and has been raced for every year
since 1969. Though an Open Invitation meeting it has not attracted
the same calibre of riders as Pardubice, being predominantly from the
Eastern Communist Bloc. Only in 1992 with Armando Castagna's success,
was the winner not from an East European country.
A
triple winner of 3 annual competitions gets to retain his Golden
Helmet. Thus far Czech heroes Jiri Stancl and Anton Kasper jnr, each
with 5 wins, in the '70s and '80s respectively, have claimed a
permanent helmet.
left : 2010 winner Matej Kus
of Czechia, with Martin Vaculik, Slovakia, & Dino Kovacic,
Croatia.
Zarnovica Silver Helmet of 1953, ( #1 ) and the Gold Helmet of 1962, (and top of page: 2010.)
GH 1,2,3s in 1962, '65 & '75 At the Zarnovica gate for the off: 1953, '58, '62 H. Pattermann, A.Kasper and J.Stancl Track action 1962
Anniversary programme, Action at Zarnovica in the 2010
competition. 200th speedway meeting, (33rd G.H,) 1996
below: 2010 prizes of Golden Helmet and
Cup. below: 49th GH 2012