From August 4 – 7, 2011 1,500 smart fans from 22 countries gathered along the Italian seaside resort of Riccione for the largest event of the smart community worldwide. Over four days the fans – who came together in Italy instead of Austria for the first time after ten years – shared their passion for the small city car and connected with designers, tuners and experts. Next year the community will congregate in Belgium.
smart times has long become a firm date in the international event calendar for all fans of the small city car. And the participants are prepared to go to great lengths to attend. For example, a group of smart drivers drove an amazing 2.286 kilometres in order to attend the event in Riccione. It had the longest journey to the Italian seaside resort.
From beach volleyball on the beach in Riccione, to a visit to Aquafan, Europe’s largest aquapark, or a lap on one of Italy’s most famous racetracks – the Misano World Circuit – all the items on the programme of this year’s smart times proved very popular. A special highlight was the excursion entitled “smart meets Museo Ferrari” to the home of the world-famous red sports car. At the traditional smart times parade the fans set a further new record: more than 800 smart vehicles drove through the streets of Riccione to the delight of onlookers. Plenty of opportunities to take test drives, to talk at length with smart experts, parties every night and the annual smart flea market rounded off the programme. All the visitors had a great time at the event under the Italian sun and they are already excitedly looking forward to next year’s smart times.
In 2012 the international smart community will gather again in Belgium.
