• This year’s event marks the Golden Jubilee of the Africa Concurs d’Elegance organized annually by the Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Kenya.
• Antoine’s triumph 550 was, however, awarded second place on account of its age.
Image: /HANDOUT
Adrian Wroe outclassed competition for the top slot on the ramp as Satpal Jabbal rode off with the trophy in the motorcycles category.
It was a family affair at this year’s quintessential Africa Concours d’Elegance as Adrian Wroe’s 1930 Ford Model A emerged the overall winner-marginally edging out his sister Veronica’s 1934 Rolls Royce Boattail with only one point.
Adrian’s meticulous finish of the Ford stole the hearts of the judges scoring 282 points. Veronica Wroe, straddled the judges’ course in her 1934 Rolls Royce Boattail, a clear favourite of the spectators having won the overall prize in 2018.
The prestigious Motorshow came back after a two-year hiatus imposed by the Covid-19 Pandemic and attracted 70 vintage cars and 40 classic motorcycles.
The battle for the grand title highlighted the intensity of work, time and attention to detail that competitors put in to present their magnificently finished machines to an awed crowd of car enthusiasts that thronged the Ngong Racecourse.
This year’s event marks the Golden Jubilee of the Africa Concurs d’Elegance organized annually by the Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Kenya.
Sati Jabbal with his 1925 DKW rode off with the motorcycles category trophy for the second consecutive year after fending off a spirited challenge from Dominique Antoine and Russel Hughes. The duo tied for the second position with their 1925 Triumph 550 SD and 1952 Ducati 65T respectively.
Antoine’s triumph 550 was, however, awarded second place on account of its age. Russel had rode about 140 km from Njoro Nakuru to take part in the event.
According to Andrew Munyua, who was one of the judges, there has been a notable improvement in adherence to prescribed standards for competitors compared to the last event in 2019.
“It appears competitors had adequate time to work on their cars and motorcycles during the Covid-19 period. On the other hand, most of the cars presented today have featured in the pageant before and therefore only needed to make improvements since the last appearance,” Munyua observed.
Besides the winning DKW which scored 192 points against its challenger’s 186 points, Sati Jabbal had also entered a 1964 Norton which was ranked fourth while his son Manraj Singh’s 1962 BMW was seventh overall.
Among the class winners was Kevit Desai, the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of East Africa Community and Regional Development.
Desai won the class for Touring Cars over 3000cc with his 1968 Jaguar 420 saloon which was also the most Elegant Car in the event.
Sati Gata-Aura won the class for Touring cars from 1301 to 1600 cc with his sparkling 1977 Nissan 160J. His 1947 MG-TC also won the class for Open Cars while Jane Chemngorem’s 1962 VW Karmann Ghia won the class for Touring Cars from 1001 cc to 1300cc.
Tumaini Muthiga shone in the Utility Vehicles made after 1970 with his 1987 Volkswagen Kombi. The enthusiastic car collector had entered four vintage cars and two motorcycles in different categories.
The Uganda Bikers Association, led by their chairperson Angellah Ssemukutu, added a glamorous twist to the event with their attention-grabbing machines that roared past the cheering crowd of admiring spectators.
They swept the class for Street Motorcycles from 1001 cc to 1300cc and the Train and Enduro motorcycles made in 2010 or later.