Concours d’Elegance Nairobi: On Sunday September 29th the competitors car park and the motorcycle judging ring at the Nairobi racecourse will feature an amazing variety of cars and motorcycles contesting the CBA Africa Concours d’Elegance. This is the 49th in the annual series held by the Alfa Romeo Owners Club.
70 highly prepared cars will be parked in two lines ready to be driven to the Total Excellium inspection ramp including “golden oldies” in the class for pre-1940 cars and two Mercedes 230 SL sports cars. First on the ramp will be vehicles contesting the utility class like the 1970 Volkswagen pickup which is being prepared by instructors and students at the Rift Valley Technical Institute.
This VW has been owned by the Institute since it was new. Initially it was used for errands like collecting mail and making general deliveries. In due course the pickup was retired and parked under cover. Earlier this year it was spotted by the Concours d’Elegance Patron, Dr. Kevit Desai, the PS for Technical and Vocational Education and Training. He encouraged the Institute to participate in the classiest event on the Kenya Motor Sport calendar.
The Rift Valley Technical Training Institute is an East African Centre of Excellence in TVET and runs a commercial garage adjacent to the training centre which gives the students practical work experience. This will be the base for the refurbishment of the VW pickup and students will be working under the guidance of trainers. Dr Edwin Tarno, the Principal of the Institute is fully supporting the project and will ensure that the pickup will be in Concours condition.
The event gives the owners of well-kept cars and motorcycles the opportunity to have them assessed by the highly experienced judges. Competitors also like to show their treasured machines to the enthusiastic crowd and they have a chance to win overall awards and prizes for the 20 classes catering for all makes and types of cars, pickups, SUVs and motorcycles.
The regulations for the event are available on the event website (www.concourskenya.com), or from the Concours office at the Bob Dewar
Publicity Suite in Block G of Norfolk Towers, Kijabe Street. Telephone enquiries may be made by calling 2229793, 3316160 or 0733 732032 during office hours.
The Concours d’Elegance is the classiest motorsport event on Kenya soil and the center piece is the judging of 70 classic and vintage cars and 40 motorcycles under the regulations approved by the Kenya Motor Sports Federation. Already the 2019 Concours has an international flavor with Uganda leading with 13 entries and South Africa three.
Among the latest additions to the list is the fine 1984 Mercedes Benz 230E coupe of classic enthusiast Gary Farrant while the most unusual car entry is Sachit Shah’s 1967 Haflinger. Gary Farrant has arranged a complete restoration for the magnificent Mercedes including the interior and the upholstery. This machine will be a strong competitor in the 2001cc – 3000cc touring car class.
In addition, there will be 28 motor trade stands in Auto Expo which enable the motor industry to showcase their new line of vehicles and products to the motorists. There will also be a sale of classic and vintage cars and motorcycles. Another attraction will be the Heritage Collection stand which offers a display of old equipment and machinery including old steam engines
