Due to the overwhelming turnout of visitors, the Qatar Classic Car Contest and Exhibition 2021 at Medina Centrale, The Pearl-Qatar, has been extended until Monday (November 22), instead of concluding Saturday.
| (image) Abdullatif Ali al-Yafei |
This was announced by the Gulf Qatari Classic Car Association management Friday.
"The distinguished exhibition, organised annually in partnership with the United Development Company, has achieved a great deal of success in terms of creating a platform that showcases historic classic cars," said board member and secretary Abdullatif Ali al-Yafei.
"In addition to its touristic value, the event plays an important role in educating the society about the importance of this facet of Qatari tradition,” he explained.
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The event is under the patronage of Qatar Museums (QM) chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani.
The winners of the contest will be announced on Monday at a closing ceremony at 7pm.
About 50 luxury vintage models are on display at the event, which includes several rare collections.
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Visitors curiously watching the cars
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Some of the vintage cars
“Right from Wednesday, we are getting hundreds of visitors at the venue. You can spot large crowds moving around the beautiful machines and admiring them,” a spokesperson told *Gulf Times. “People are excited to see the vintage premium cars which are rare pieces.
“We are thrilled by the response of the public and we expect more people to visit the exhibition tomorrow (Saturday).”
“We have five categories of contest for the competition,” the spokesperson continued. “The first category is for cars from 1947 and before, and the second category is for cars between 1948-1957.”
“The other categories are: 1958-1964; 1965-1974, and 1975-1991.”
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Another vintage beauty
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Another group of cars
Gulf Qatari Classic Car Association chairman HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, vice-chairman Omar Alfardan, and several other dignitaries were present at the inaugural ceremony.
The winning cars will be classified as: Best Car Award in each category; Best Represented Car Award amongst the participating cars; Most Original and Best Maintained Car without Renewal Award, and the Most Stylish Car Award.
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A set of cars at the exhibition
The best cars will be selected by a special jury, assigned by the International Classic Car Federation.
The winning cars must be unanimously approved by all jury members.
The organisers also hope that the exhibition will encourage investment in classic cars and shed light on its history in Qatar, in addition to introducing the various developmental and reinvention stages that the classic car industry has gone through and motivate more enthusiasts to collect vintage and classic cars.
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Another view of the 1931 Rolls Royce Phantom. PICTURES: Thajudheen