OTHER PRIZES photos below
The Other Prizes, shown at the bottom of this page are from a number of sources. They range from "prizes" that were given to all the riders who entered a race, to awards for international leadership in sport. As varied as a wall hanging, dress fabric and a sewing machine, ashtrays, a suit or a decorative metal plate. While some are surprising, others are less so. The merits of the fabulous sword from Mr Soichiro Honda is more easily understood, both historically and in terms of beauty.
During the late '50's and early '60's, Eastern Bloc European countries found they were not able to give cash money as prizes. Around this time motorsport was hugely popular, but not strongly associated with prize-monies. An alternative was needed and that often saw the winners walking away with some very beautiful crystal. I'm not sure what the riders made of it at the time, but the crystal was carefully wrapped and, mostly, survived the journey. They are appreciated by family to this day.
Back in Australia, smaller local clubs which did not have such magnificent budgets often showed appreciation with a dinner or in kind. Below are two gifts from clubs my father had a close association - a lovely tooled leather writing compendium from the Motor Cycle and Side Car Club, and a pewter mug from Preston Motorcycle Club. Lifetime membership of Victoria's Hartwell Motor Cycle Club was another "in kind" award.
Innovative and various they are, but perhaps one of the most fitting of these is the mounted guage from Czechoslovakia.
Elegant in it's simplicity A gauge for measuring torque? That must belong to a motor lover.
During the late '50's and early '60's, Eastern Bloc European countries found they were not able to give cash money as prizes. Around this time motorsport was hugely popular, but not strongly associated with prize-monies. An alternative was needed and that often saw the winners walking away with some very beautiful crystal. I'm not sure what the riders made of it at the time, but the crystal was carefully wrapped and, mostly, survived the journey. They are appreciated by family to this day.
Back in Australia, smaller local clubs which did not have such magnificent budgets often showed appreciation with a dinner or in kind. Below are two gifts from clubs my father had a close association - a lovely tooled leather writing compendium from the Motor Cycle and Side Car Club, and a pewter mug from Preston Motorcycle Club. Lifetime membership of Victoria's Hartwell Motor Cycle Club was another "in kind" award.
Innovative and various they are, but perhaps one of the most fitting of these is the mounted guage from Czechoslovakia.
Elegant in it's simplicity A gauge for measuring torque? That must belong to a motor lover.