70 cars enter race for Concours awards

By John Oyuke

Seventy cars have confirmed participation in the 2009 Africa Concours d’Elegance at the Nairobi Racecourse tomorrow.

The vintage, modern cars and motorbikes will be driven for inspection by judges during the AccessKenya sponsored event.

Uganda Bikers Association Chairman Milton Aineruhanga, will head a team of six enthusiasts riding their bikes from Kampala to Nairobi to represent their club.

First apperance

Mr Joe Karera will be competing in the up to 1,200 cc street bike class with his eight-year-old Aprilia, according a statement from the organisers.

This will be the first appearance by a motorcycle of this make at the Nairobi Racecourse.

The Alfa Romeo Owners Club has developed the Concours into a global event, and this year there are 12 entries from outside Kenya.

During the event, Mr Greg Emmanuel will drive the classic 1963 Porsche to Nairobi from Moshi.

The oldest machine in the AccessKenya Concours will be the 1916 Triumph Junior motorcycle, which has been flown to Nairobi for Michael Milner- Smyth, the Chairman of the Vintage Motorcycle Club of South Africa.

The up to 1,000 cc class includes the 1962 Morris Mini of Samuel Waite and the Vitafoam entered 1972 Austin Mini, which has won this category several times.

The rally car class will attract attention with spectators flocking to see Quentin Mitchell’s classic 1967 Triumph GT6, Ben Muchemi’s 1974 Datsun 240Z and the Ford Escort of Aslam Khan, which will race in the forthcoming East African Safari Classic. Other attractive sports cars include Nizar Hussein’s 1966 Mercedes Benz 280 SL and the 1963 Chevrolet Nova of Fullbore Shades Ltd.