From July 17 to 19, 2,380 smart fans from 31 countries gathered on the beach in Portugal to celebrate the largest international smart event worldwide. The heart of the town of Cascais wasn’t just the venue for numerous smart programme items from test drives to the smart parade – it was also the starting point for excursions to the surrounding region for more than 800 smart enthusiasts: from Figueirinha beach to the most western point in Europe.
Programme à la smart – Party à la Portugal
At the invitation of Carlos Karriere, Mayor of Cascais, the event started on Thursday with a free BBQ on the town’s own beach. And in the following days attendees enjoyed test drives with the latest smart models, the popular smart times car contest, smart tuners and exhibitors from across Europe, and relaxing on the sun deck with a view of the Atlantic. For the little guests there was a children’s play area right on the beach.
From the street to the beach – smart times on Saturday
The smart times parade, which has long since become legendary, started on the former Formula 1 racing track “Circuito de Estoril”. And it kicked off with a lap of honor for all smart forfour drivers to mark the 10th birthday of the four-seater. 1,427 smarts then cruised through the Estoril region towards Cascais where a beach party awaited them. smart ebikes were also included in the parade. Later, at the beach party the winners of the eight categories of the smart times contest were honored on stage amidst lots of cheering.
From the beach to the city – smart times 15 in Hungary
There was a further exciting highlight at the farewell party on Saturday night. At around 11 p.m. the venue for next year, which had previously been kept strictly secret, was revealed: smart times 15 will take place from 28 to 30 August 2015 in Budapest, Hungary – in the direct vicinity of Heldenplatz. Participants can register now at www.smarttimes15.com.
Background information on smart times 13
23 to 25 August 2013,in Buochs near Lucerne, Switzerland
1700 attendees from 24 different nations
1203 smarts in the parade
