---

In the heart of the Balkans, an event unfolded that brought together passion, luxury, and athletic inspiration. The recent Olympic tour, orchestrated by the Porsche Club Bosnia and Herzegovina, was more than a showcase of high-performance engineeringit was a testament to the enduring spirit of camaraderie, adventure, and sporting heritage. Bonus: the vibrant atmosphere of the Sarajevo Film Festival!

Porsche Club Bosnia and Herzegovina was established to develop and preserve the myth and legend of Porsche in this part of the Balkans. Porsche Club BiH became the official Porsche Club under number 348 in 2019: relatively young but ... driven by heritage!

The concept for the Olympic tour emerged from a desire to intertwine the love of motoring with Bosnia and Herzegovinas storied connection to the Olympic Games. Sarajevo, the jewel of the region, hosted the Winter Olympics in 1984, a moment that left a lasting legacy on the citys character and spirit. Seeking to honor this legacy, the Porsche Club designed a tour that would lead participants on a journey through Olympic history, breathtaking landscapes, and iconic motorsport moments.

We left Italy in the late afternoon of August 13, our '77 Carrera 3.0 “Fiona” on a trailer towed by our BMW 530d workhorse. Almost 1200 km through several Italian regions and republics of the former Yugoslavia at snail speed! First stop after the Slovenian border for refueling when the lights of the day are already dimming. A quick nap and breakfast in Croatia to restore our forces and before lunchtime we are already at Slavonski Brod. We cross the bridge over the Sava: we are now officially leaving Central Europe and entering the Balkans! At the border control, the staff from both sides was curious about what we were doing with an old sports car on a trailer and asked plenty of questions and documents. We were lucky to complete everything in about 20 minutes.

The motorway ends here and will only restart much farther south. The northern section is still under construction. The A1 stretches to the countryside, traffic is scarce, and most buildings still wear the scars of a belligerent past. We wish this will never happen again!

At lunchtime, we finally entered Sarajevo. Our friends from Porsche Club BiH were already waiting for us. With their help, the operations of offloading and parking were quick and effective. Minutes later, we were checking in and meeting old and new friends in the lobby of the Holiday hotel, a luxurious hotel opened for the XIV Winter Olympic Games. After a warm welcome from the club president, we received the Olympic Tour badges and goodies.

Not even time for a shower and our guide was already waiting to lead us through our first social event: the tour of Sarajevos historical landmarks. “Brutalist” socialist architecture, Austro-Hungarian heritage, Ottoman tradition, and the very place of the killing of Franz Ferdinand which sparked WWI, all leading to the Sarajevo Brewery for a much-deserved dinner. Drinking and music night included. Meanwhile, on the eve of the official start of the Sarajevo Film Festival, the whole city was busy with the last fine-tuning of the public spaces.

---

---

Through the Mountains: Retracing Olympic Footsteps

In the morning of the 15th (the sacred italian Ferragosto), the air was electric with anticipation, as gleaming sports cars such as classic and modern 911s, spirited Boxsters, and Caymans lined up to exit the dungeons of the SCC - Sarajevo City Center, starting at 09:11 (what else?) AM sharp. Their vibrant colors reflected the optimism of a new adventure. Club members, friends, and young supporters mingled, sharing stories of previous rallies and aspirations for the day ahead.

The convoy embarked from Sarajevo, the city that once welcomed athletes from around the world, starting a tour that would wind through the regions most significant Olympic sites, scenic passes, and towns steeped in history. From afar, we could almost feel the spirit of the Olympic Stadium, where the flame was lit in 1984, symbolizing peace and unity. As engines roared to life, the group paused to reflect on the global significance of that moment; a time when winter sports brought the worlds gaze to Bosnia and Herzegovina, then part of Yugoslavia.

During the two days on the road, the tour would mean up the mountain roads toward Jahorina and Bjelašnica, two peaks that hosted ski events during the Winter Games. The drive itself was a symphony of curves and vistas. Porsches legendary handling shone as drivers navigated hairpin turns, their vehicles hugging the tarmac with precision.

At each Olympic site, our hosts offered insight into the venues history and the transformation of these places over decades, sharing first-had stories on their contribution to the success of the games ... today succesfull businessman, yesterday young engineer. Many participants took a moment to walk the grounds, imagining the cheers that once echoed across the snow, and the dreams woven into the fabric of the mountains.

Our first day saw us in action towards mountain Trebevic (with a stunning view of the whole city of Sarajevo) and legendary Jahorina Olympic mountain. From the bottom station, a chairlift allowed us to quickly reach the top; just the time for some souvenir pictures on the peak at 1916 m of elevation and it's already time to go down. But not in the usual way … we are Porsche drivers, we have a need for speed, therefore we couldn't miss the Mountain Coaster: opened in August 2019, the 2.5 km long monorail track ensures a unique riding experience across meadows and wooded areas. In a heartbeat, we were seated at the famous Vuèko restaurant. Worth mentioning, Vuèko is the name of our Olympic mascot, meaning wolfie.

After our return to downtown, the late afternoon and evening were filled with a cultural program: The film festival craze saw us walking the red carpet at the City Hall. A reception was followed by an exclusive film screening featuring Not So Friendly Neighborhood Affair of Oscar-winning director, H.E. Danis Tanović. He was supposed to attend as well but had to decline due to his tight schedule. The projection sparked a heated debate on the Ćevapi among all the attendees, which was only settled by the delivery of this typical food on the terrace of the City Hall. The return to the hotel was slow, having to stop at several local bars and terraces full of nice people only wishing for fun. Alcohol took a toll but somehow all of us made it to the drivers' briefing the following morning in decent shape.

---

---

The Spirit of Competition and Community

At 09:11 of Aug. 16th we were on the road again, heading to Bjelašnica, the Olympic mountain. The remains of the Igman Olympic ski jumping hill can still be seen as a landmark along the way. True to the Olympic ethos, the tour was a celebration of unity and friendly competition. Still with our eyes and minds on the beauty of the landscape, we reached the start of our main motorsport challenge: the timed hill climb/slalom runs on the road linking Igman to Bjelašnica, a gateway between two contiguous valleys.

It goes without saying that being a very quick road with few hairpins while having both the oldest and the least powerful car, we happily and proudly ended up LAST of the lot (save for a half dozen of DNS). It was great fun! One of the few occasions to experience a time attack on a closed road with professional timekeepers and safety crew, battling against the local specialists, while using a road-legal sports car. We hope this can be repeated in the future by other clubs!

Between challenges, drivers enjoyed local refreshments; Bosnian coffee, hearty burek, delicious lamb, and pastries from mountain lodges fueling conversation and laughter. The sense of belonging was palpable, as old friends reconnected and newcomers found themselves embraced by the clubs welcoming atmosphere at the lunch break at Javorov Do. Meanwhile, scores of charming ladies were busy with the ballots of the Concours d'Elegance, where all our cars were competing.

As the afternoon rain started dropping from the sky, we set off towards Vrelo Bosne park, looking for the sacred spring of the river Bosna. We are passing through the straight main avenue (Velika Aleja) with 3000 trees of platan and chestnut from the 19th century leading inside traditional buildings from the Austro-Hungarian era offering a peek into the luxuries of the past, all the way to Tito's villa in Stojčevac.

As the convoy continued, the tour passed through areas that still bear traces of their Olympic heyday. Murals depicting athletes, plaques commemorating events, and restored venues served as reminders of the regions role in sporting history. There was no time for a visit to the Olympic Museum, where memorabilia from the 1984 Games is preserved: this is on the agenda for our next visit!

---

---

Closing Ceremonies

As dusk descended, the tour concluded at our hotel. Participants gathered for a closing banquet, where stories of the day were exchanged over traditional Bosnian cuisine. Speeches honored the Olympic legacy, the spirit of Porsche, and the bonds forged on the road.

The club president expressed gratitude for the support of members, partners, and local communities, and gave hints for future events that would continue to blend history, sportsmanship, and motoring excellence. It's worth highlighting that sportsmanship is the founding stone of Porsche Club BH, which is participating in different social welfare campaigns in Bosnia and Herzegovina. PCBH gifted children from socially disadvantaged families, children of people with disabilities, and children with disabilities for the New Years as well as donating to the flood-affected territories in that country.

Medals and certificates were presented, winners in the different categories were awarded copper “targas” inspired by the traditional craft, and all participants were congratulated for their sportsmanship and enthusiasm. Our Fiona won in her category and this was the absolute cherry on the cake of a splendid adventure, also for the Porsche Club Praha, which we were representing together with our friends on their mighty (and quick!) 718 Spyder RS.

The evening ended with music and celebration; a fitting tribute to a day where passion for cars and respect for athletic achievement came together in perfect harmony.

---

---

Beyond the Tour

The Olympic Tour organized by Porsche Club Bosnia and Herzegovina was more than a single eventit marked a renewed commitment to community engagement, historical remembrance, and the pursuit of excellence. By retracing Olympic footsteps, forging new friendships, and sharing the beauty of their homeland, club members demonstrated that the ideals of sport and motoring can inspire and unite.

For those who participated, memories of the tour will remain vivid: the roar of (boxer) engines echoing through mountain valleys, the warmth of new friendships, and the pride of honoring Bosnia and Herzegovinas place on the global stage. As plans for future tours begin to take shape, the club stands as a beacon for all who cherish the thrill of the drive and the joy of sporting tradition.

In the end, the Olympic Tour was not just about cars or competition; it was about celebrating the journey itself, and the countless ways in which adventure, heritage, and community intertwine. We are sad to go but happy because we know we are going to meet some of our friends once again soon at the next event!

---

---

For further pictures, you may check our "X" account, tag: #theolympictour.