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Tag: Concours d’Elegance

  • Sati Gata-Aura 1947 MG wins Concours d’Elegance

    Sati Gata-Aura 1947 MG wins Concours d’Elegance

    The metallic green 1947 MG/TC, of Sati Gata-Aura was crowned the overall winner of the 2025 Africa Concours d’Elegance.

    The victory was sweet as he was at the same podium last year when he won the 52nd edition of the event with a 1977 Nissan 160J.

    Gata-Aura’s 1947 MG TC scored a total of 277 points to win the fable Africa Concours d’Elegance event which attracted around 7,000 spectators at Nairobi Racecourse.

    With an apparently insatiable appetite for success, Gata-Aura racked up 37 points on the underside, 77 on external finish, 59 on interior finish, 55 on the engine, 6 on roadworthiness and 43 on age to decimate a large field of 75 car entrants.

    James Duder’s 1928 Ford Model A pick up took second overall position in the car class with 272 as Mike Duder’s 1930 Essex Super Six chalked up third position on 258 points. The judges also declared this rare 1930 Essex Super six the most elegant car in the event

    With several models in display, the motorcycle ring handed fans some exhilarating displays of biking artistry; dominated by two Triumph 550SD bikes as Yamaha sealed the podium in a fierce battle for points. Dominique Antoine’s 1925 Triumph 550SD emerged the overall winner followed by Rick Agagliate with a similar bike made in 1926.

    Douglas Kiere-ini who had made a come-back with six bikes after a long absence in the Concours was happy to be on the podium with his 1980 Yamaha RD400G. Iqbal Omar’s Harley Davidson was voted the most elegant bike at the motorcycle ring.

    Meanwhile, Officials, volunteers and marshals continue to play an integral part in the success of the Concours, first held in 1971, by the Alfa Romeo Owners Club (Kenya), to celebrate their first anniversary. Inspired by classic cars and international Concours d’Elegance events, the event was resounding success and has been held annually ever since, becoming a major motoring occasion for enthusiasts in Africa.

    Peter Wanday, the Chairman of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club and the organizer of the event said, “This year’s Concours was a dubbed “The Bob Dewar Memorial Edition” and paid tribute to the late Bob Dewar who had been at the helm of organizing this event for more than half a Century. The level of preparation for the vehicles was very high, the officials have done a great job and the competitors came in great numbers. Overall, a resounding success.!”

    One prominent official who goes unnoticed at the event, year in year out, is Robert Gow a retired Two Wheel Drive rally driver, two-times winner of the concours and indeed the event’s Motorcycle Chief Judge.

    Gow was all smiles as he returned to the 2025 edition for the umpteenth time. “I was once a competitor and I won the event in 2001 and 2002 before becoming a judge. I have been doing this for the last 14 years now, it’s a labor of love. What we do basically as Motorcycle judges is to examine the bikes in every class, then determine the overall winner based on their score. Our colleagues in the Car paddock have a similar task with over 70 cars.”

    Gow highlighted: “Over the years we’ve had bikes of 100 years right up to 15 years, and a huge variety, which is very interesting. We judge external finish, engine and mechanical, road worthiness and age, which is very key. Old is gold at the Concours so the older the bike, the more marks it will score over the younger bikes as long as it also scores high in the other areas too like engine and external finish.”
    Competitors from outside Kenya also graced the Concours all and sundry, eager to showcase their vehicles.

    Allan Mutumba from Uganda was awarded the prize for the best foreign bike for his 1998 BMW R1100 RT while Ali Alam also from Uganda received the award for the best car from outside Kenya for his beautiful open sports car, a 1967 Mercedes Benz 250SL

    As usual, Uganda Bikers Association and Pearl Bikers Africa were among the star attractions at the event. Every year, these bikers ride all the way from Kampala and back to grace the Concours as part of their wider campaign to promote road safety, HIV Aids Awareness and indeed Sports Tourism.

    Helping to make the event such a success, the Concours had a number of sponsors and partners including Stanbic Bank, SGA Security, Chairmania, the Nairobi Embassy of Italy and AAR among others.

    CAR CLASS OVERALL RESULTS
    1. Sati Garta Aura (1947 MG TC) 277 points
    2. James Duder (1928 Model A Ford Pick Up) 272
    3. Mike Duder (1930 Essex Super Six) 258
    4. Kevit Desai (1974 Mercedes 450 SLC) 258
    5. Chandrakant Shah (1972 Austin Mini 1000) 257

    MOTOCYCLE OVERALL RESULTS
    1. Dominique Antoine (1925 Triumph 550SD) 179 points
    2. Rick Agagliate (1926 Triumph 550SD ) 167
    3. Douglas Kiereini (1980 Yamaha RD400G) 157
    4. Tumaini Muthiga (1985 Honda VFR) 154
    5. Dominique Antoine (BSA B33) 151

  • Golden Oldies to star at Concours d’Elegance

    Golden Oldies to star at Concours d’Elegance

    Spectators at this year’s Concours will be thrilled by the “Golden Oldies” with competitors  showcasing vintage and post vintage cars.

    A full list of over 70 cars has been received for the event featuring an amazing variety of vehicles at the Nairobi Racecourse on Sunday, September 28th starting from 9.00am.

    The 1927 Ford Model T of Ugandan enthusiast Ali Alam will be making its debut and takes its pride of place as the oldest car in this year’s event.

    It will compete against the 1928 Ford Model A  pick up entered by James Duder and the 1930 Essex Super Six entered by his father Mike Duder, both from the John Wroe collection.

    Other cars to watch out for in this list of the oldest cars is Adrian Wroe’s 1930 Ford Model A and the elegant 1934 Rolls Royce Boattail of Veronica Duder. Both cars have been overall winners in past events and are likely to be podium finishers.

    Rick Agagliate makes a strong comeback after more than ten years with a 1926 Triumph 550 SD motorcycle which will be up against Dominique Antoine’s similar 1925 Triumph 550 SD to top the list of the oldest bikes at this year’s Concours. The two are likely to be among the machines which will dazzle the spectators with their high standards of preparations  together with David Odhuno’s BMW GS 1200 and a Harley Davidson XL made in 2006 and 2015 respectively.

    To spice up the mix of old cars are three classic gleaming Alfa Romeo Spiders entered by Alec Davis,  Kamene Wanday and David Somen made in 1969, 1972 and 1973 respectively.  Other excellent Alfas to look out for include  Gayling May’s sparkling 1967 Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint, the Alfa Sud Sprint Veloce of Avraj Singh  and the Alfa Romeo GT Junior of newcomer Kulvinder Rana.

    This year’s Concours is dubbed “The Bob Dewar Memorial Edition” in honour of the founder of the event who passed away earlier in the year. It is the 53rd in the annual series organized by the Alfa Romeo Owners Club.

    The objective of the event is to give the owners of well-kept cars and motorcycles the opportunity to have them assessed by experienced officials. Competitors like to show their treasured machines to the enthusiastic crowd and to have the chance to win prizes in the over 20 classes for all makes and types of cars, SUV’s, pick-ups and motorcycles.

    Peter Wanday, the Chairman of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club and the organizer of the event said, “There is also a Classic Sale for cars and bikes made 25, or more years ago. This enables the owners of unwanted machines to offer them for sale to the significant number of spectators who are interested in buying a car, or motorcycle for fun to use during weekends, or for preparing for future Concours events.  Entries for this section are still open and the vehicles can be in any state ranging from sources of spare parts to good condition.”

     

  • Concours d’Elegance set for end of September

    Concours d’Elegance set for end of September

    Kenya’s foremost automotive annual event dubbed Concours d’Elegance is scheduled to take place on Spetember 24 at the Nairobi Racecourse along Ngong Road.

    While Concours continues to be a testament to the timeless allure of classic automobiles and a prestigious celebration of automotive elegance, grace, and craftsmanship, the event is also a showcase and fusion of fashion, culture, food and music making it a great social event regardless of automotive enthusiasm.

    What is it?

    Each year, enthusiasts, collectors, and aficionados gather to revel in the beauty and nostalgia of vintage cars and motorcycles, creating a captivating spectacle that showcases the country’s automotive heritage and passion for motoring.

    History

    The Concours d’Elegance in Kenya traces its roots back to the early 1970s when it was first organized by the Alfa Romeo Owners Club. Over the years, it has evolved into a grand motoring event, attracting participants and spectators from all corners of the globe. The organizers’ vision was to create a platform where classic car enthusiasts could showcase their treasured vehicles, exchange knowledge, and foster a sense of community among vintage car admirers.

    The event planned for September will mark its 51st year.

    Event Highlights

    The highlight of the Concours d’Elegance is the judged showcase of vintage and classic vehicles, ranging from pre-war models to elegant post-war creations. The meticulous restoration and preservation efforts showcased in these exhibits are a testament to the unwavering dedication of the participants. Each entrant vies for recognition and honours in various categories, including overall winners, best in class, and people’s choice awards.

    Adrian Wroe photographed next to his Ford

    In 2022, Adrian Wroe emerged the winner of the 2022 Africa Golden Concours d’Elegance competition courtesy of his Ford Tudor Modela 193. 

    Veronica Wroe pictured driving the boattail

    In 2019, Veronica Wroe made history by becoming only the second woman to have won the event by emerging overall car winner in this 1934 Rolls Royce Boatail. 

    *The 2020 and 2021 events were cancelled owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Time for drag race!

    In addition to being a showcase of classic automobiles, the event also features various activities and attractions for participants and visitors alike. One of the more popular activities featured in previous events happens at the Kenya Motorsport Federation Rally section where participants test their driving skills in a thrilling time trial. The event also features the “Motorcycle Concours,” – a stunning exhibition of two-wheeled classics. 

    It also offers a vibrant marketplace on the grounds, offering an assortment of automotive merchandise and delicious food, creating a festive ambience throughout the day.

    Registration for participants is currently ongoing.