VW Beetle Owners’ Club 19th Annual Pride of Ownership Drive a roaring success

The VW Beetle Owners’ Club held the 19th Annual Pride of Ownership Drive on Sunday 25 March. This year’s drive was a resounding success with over 60 VW Beetles, vans, the much-admired Karman Ghias, VW variants and a rare Trekker joined the event that flocked to the Hilton Colombo, as in the past 10 years, which has been the venue for the grand start of this annual event.

The Club is most grateful to the Hilton Colombo which has supported the ‘Pride of Ownership’ drive and members were greeted at the recorder’s table in typical Beetle camaraderie which is the usual at all events organised by the Club.

Members, having completed the registration, were welcomed to a breakfast with the kind courtesy of the Hilton Colombo. Club President Mr. Peter Jasinghe called the event to a start and as in the past a group photo was taken of all present prior to the line-up of the event and the traditional flagging off of the drive.

The drive was officially flagged off by Gigi De Silva, Manager Promotions of the Hilton and in pure lady luck the drive took off with cheer with the Police escort that lead the way along the line up of VWs through Galle Face turning towards Duplication Road with the first line-up alongside the Ratmalana Airport. 

The drive continued with two more line-ups at Panadura and Kalatura and did a right turn to the sandy beaches of the Eden Resort and was welcomed by a host of tourists who were stunned to witness so many VWs that came to rest alongside the Indian Ocean to be welcomed by the hotel with a thirst quencher and some also did enjoy that lovely sap from the coconut tree. The Eden had come up with a splendid theme that added to the activity of the events planned out for the day. The theme was of a village scene which had the snake charmer who did his charming along with the troupe of folk singers who entertained the guest under the lush palms of the Eden. 

Another first this year was an idea that was spurred by the Patron of the Club, Kapila Jayawardena; having noted Eden was full of German tourists, he came up with the suggestion of selecting the best VWs with the judges being selected by the German tourists. 

Much to the surprise, two out of the three judges were employed at VW in Germany and took great pride in selecting the best three VWs at the event. The tourists were ever-so-happy to witness so many VWs in one location and took home many great memories of the event of the day. 

The adults and kids were also included in fun games organised by Ruwan and Ruwangi Punchihewa which ensured to keep the momentum of fun and frolic throughput the day.

The Eden had put together a fabulous buffet spread that was an enjoyed by all which followed by their signature desert being the ice cream kotthu. This was followed by the presentation of certificates and an exotic VW Wrist Watch that was specially turned out for the event. 

Ruwan Punchihewa, Vice President of the Club, thanked the Main Sponsor Lanka Orix Leasing Company Ltd. for their kind sponsorship and Eden Hotel for a marvelous spread and all the ambience put together and went on to thank Kapila Jayawardena/Managing Director of the Group for his heartfelt support extended towards the activities of the VW Beetle Owners’ Club which resulted in one of the best events of ‘pride’ that was enjoyed by all.