On June 20, 1925, the IV International Automobile Exhibition was inaugurated. The place chosen was Montjuïc and in the area that was in full transformation with a view to the great challenge of 1929. The Modern Art and Industry palaces, already standing, housed a hundred exhibitors from ten countries until the closing ceremony, the first day of June.
The Kings carried out their visit on the 29th. The self-confessed attraction that Alfonso XIII felt for automobile speed was notorious, given his condition as a good driver. When Hispano Switzerland had asked him for a new sports model to be named after him, he accepted only with one condition: to test it personally to make sure that he could go to San Sebastián at an agreed time. And he got it.
The King’s visit took place in the morning and was very detailed, as was to be expected given his tastes; the Queen’s was done by herself in the afternoon, perhaps for a sports event with female participation.
It was a gymkhana. At that time it was something new, hence the word had not yet been officially incorporated. While La Vanguardia called it “Jinkama”, Mundo Deportivo opted for “Jynkama” for the moment.
The area behind the four columns was chosen by the architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch as urban planner, which was already well leveled and paved.
Despite being a Friday afternoon, the competition attracted quite a few spectators. The first part had been ceded to the female role. It was somewhat lackluster when it received such a small participation: three “drivers”, as the chronicler wrote. As if that were not enough, the third to compete withdrew in the middle of the test.
In the following competition, the men’s competition, fifteen drivers had registered, who were able to demonstrate their good command of the wheel and expertise in the face of the obstacles that they had to face; It must be recognized that they were by no means impossible, but rather reasonable. The vehicles were not only automobiles, but also three-wheeled motorcycles, since they had sidecars.
The jury was in charge of representatives of related entities, such as the Organizing Committee of the Exhibition, Automóvil Club, Real Moto Club and Penya Rhin. The public showed that they were having a great time.
