Qatar Classic Cars Contest & Exhibition 2020 inaugurated at The Pearl-Qatar. Classic models from Ferrari, Maserati, Rolls-Royce, BMW, Lotus, Mercedes-Benz, among others.
The Qatar Classic Cars Contest & Exhibition 2020 opened on Wednesday at The Pearl-Qatar’s Porto Arabia Boardwalk, featuring about 50 vintage automobiles that fall into different historical categories. The event is being held under the patronage of HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali and organised by Gulf Qatari Classic Cars Association, in partnership with United Development Company (UDC), master developer of The Pearl-Qatar and Gewan Island. The event will run until March 7.
HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, chairman of the Gulf Qatari Classic Cars Association; Ibrahim Jassim al-Othman, UDC president & CEO and member of the Board; and Omar Alfardan, vice-chairman of the Gulf Qatari Classic Cars Association, attended the opening ceremony. “This exhibition comes as the Gulf Qatari Classic Cars Association and the car owners want to demonstrate their love and passion for this hobby,” Alfardan told reporters during a tour of the exhibition on Wednesday.
He cited the growing popularity of such an endeavour, prompting the organisers to hold this "one-of-its-kind" event annually at “a magnificent location”. Apart from showcasing classic cars, some of which date back to 1925, the exhibition will also organise a specialised symposium titled 'Classic cars... A passion for the past and an investment for the future'. The organisers will also select the best cars and award the winners (car owners) of the competition.
Some of the cars being exhibited include classic models from Ferrari, Maserati, Rolls-Royce, BMW, Datsun, Lotus, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, Buick and Ford, among others. According to the organisers, the exhibition aims to encourage investment in classic cars to underline its history in the country, in addition to introducing the various stages that the classic car industry has gone through, and encouraging the hobby of acquiring classic cars. To this end, the exhibition will "represent a tourist attraction and a valuable opportunity to enhance the role of the private sector in promoting tourism in the country in various sectors", according to a statement from the organisers.
The exhibition brings together classic car enthusiasts and puts a spotlight on the history of this passion in Qatar and positions The Pearl-Qatar as an iconic site that combines heritage and modernity in the country, the statement adds. With this in mind, UDC stressed that it is constantly aiming to provide a platform to support popular hobbies and hosts several events, including seasonal festivals and traditional celebrations that have proven to be highly successful in attracting thousands of visitors to The Pearl-Qatar.