Africa Concours d’Elegance has finally received global recognition after organiser Bob Dewar was honoured for his contribution to motorsport during the FIA awards Gala on Thursday night.
Run through the Alfa Romeo Owners Club, Concours attracts over 10,000 spectators every year at the Nairobi Racecourse.
Dewar, who is also a Director at the Kenya Motor Sport Federation, was bestowed with the FIA Founding Members Club Heritage Cup.
Prior to receiving the coveted award, a short documentary of the Concours d’Elegance was run at the gala night showcasing an event which has made an indelible impression in Africa. The Concours is open to all makes of cars and motorcycles, and is the classiest event on the Kenya Motor Sports Federation calendar.
Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo and his longstanding navigator Tim Jessop received their trophies as the 2021 FIA Africa Rally Championship (ARC) drivers’ and co-drivers’ champions.
Tundo and Jessop won four out of six events in the FIA Africa Rally Championship to top the final continental standings with 120 points as
Ugandan Yasser Naser finished second, beating South African Guy Botteril.
All the FIA champions were honoured in an event hosted by outgoing FIA President Jean Todt at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris.
It was also Jean Todt’s last appearance at the FIA gala as FIA President, following the end of his term in office on Friday.
An audience of 800 guests celebrated the outstanding performers and performances of 2021 while the personalities and rising stars were lauded and those lost to the motorsport fraternity in 2021 were remembered.
The evening was the crowning glory of a spectacular year for Dutchman Max Verstappen, who, at 24, became one of the youngest FIA Formula 1 World Champions. The Red Bull-Honda driver was embroiled in an enthralling season-long battle with seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes-AMG Petronas.
In receiving his award from President Todt, Verstappen said: “Becoming world champion is my life goal achieved. Everything that comes next is a bonus. Of course I am going to keep pushing and I’m going to be in F1 for a few more years yet,” he said.
And in recognition as President Todt being the inspiration behind the FIA Safe and Affordable Helmet Programme and his dedication across the twin pillars of motor sport and mobility, he was presented with a commemorative Safe and Affordable helmet signed by all the World Champions awarded during his term as President of the FIA.
President Todt said: “Life is made in chapters. Being a co-driver was my first. And now this chapter is over. Twelve years is a long time. The job is demanding. I know that the FIA will get fresh blood, a fresh team. Amongst the legacy I leave, I leave an amazing team which is able to continue to deliver the job with the new elected team. I still have the same passion. I am blessed, I still love motor racing. Now it is time to give something back in other areas of life. I am an old man but in good form and we will see what comes next.”
Proceedings ended with the traditional ‘family photo’ and a final applause for all of the 2021 champions and category winners as the curtain fell on what has been a successful motor sport year.
2021 Fia Prize Giving Gala
Selected Champions & Award Winners
Fia Formula 1 World Championship For Drivers — Max Verstappen
Fia Formula 1 World Championship For Constructors — Mercedes-Amg Petronas Formula One Team
Fia World Rally Championship For Drivers And Co-Drivers — Sébastien Ogier & Julien Ingrassia
Fia World Rally Championship For Manufacturers — Toyota Gazoo Racing
Fia African Rally Champions — Carl Tundo & Tim Jessop
