6th 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally and Concours Show in Noida

Sixth edition of 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally and Concours Show was a treat to the car enthusiasts in Noida and National Capital Region (NCR). Recently concluded this two-day event had a Vintage Car Rally and Controlled Speed Car Races in various categories - Classic cars, War vehicles, Pre-World War I and Post War cars. The 21 Gun Salute Vintage Car Rally was held on February 06 - 07, 2016. 


 6th 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally and Concours Show in Noida 

The Vision 

The 21 Gun Salute Rally website declares its vision to make India as a world-class Motoring Tourism Destination. 21 Gun Salute Vintage Car Rally for the first time took place on Buddh International Circuit (BIC) Formula One Car Racing Track in Greater Noida.
“21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally and Concours Show aims at establishing India as a World-Class Motoring Tourism Destination by spreading awareness and interest among the people of the country and the rest of the world through participation and involvement of vintage and classic car enthusiasts and collectors.”

Madan Mohan, Founder and Managing Trustee, 21 Gun Salute Heritage and Cultural Trust is the person behind this initiative. He is the owner of most of the vintage cars and bikes in India. In his words as reported in print media - 
"This year's show was a live opportunity to look at our royal past, the evolution of motoring and to experience the automobile technology of early 19th century in the midst of the rich heritage of vintage machines that raced as a symbol of pride, luxury, beauty and rare technical excellence, of their era."
Aiming to put India on International Motor Sporting Map the organizers roped in international bigwigs of the Concours Shows. Douglas Fox, Secretary of the Malaysia-Singapore Vintage Car Club; Martin E. Button, Member of the Selection Committee for the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and Claus Mueller, German Representative Ambassador for the Car Rally and  Concours show. Sandra Button, Director of the Pebble Beach Concours, California, USA, also known internationally as the 'Concours Queen' was the Chief Judge for races held at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida.  

The Controversy

Right before the launch of the 6th edition of 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally had hit a legal hurdle. Cars older than 15 years are not allowed to ply on Delhi roads as per National Green Tribunal (NGT) November 26, 2014 Order, hence prohibiting vintage cars from participating in any rally. Madan Mohan, Founder-Trustee of the 21 Gun Salute Vintage Car Rally had filed a petition stating the the money raised from the show would be used for social causes. Later the Vintage Car Rally was given a green signal by a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar.

The Social Cause

The Vintage Car Rally not only displayed the opulent motoring legacy to the world but also espoused a social cause. This year, the rally promoted the message of 'Save the Girl Child', there was a special promotion of 'Beti bachao beti Padhao' on cars, to promote the message of saving and empowering the girl child.

Fleet of 125 Classic Vintage Cars and 65 Bikes 

An impressive fleet comprising of 125 vintage cars and 65 exquisite bikes had vintage, classic, war, pre and post war vehicles. The stunning International Beauties included MAYBACH SW 38 1937, Horch 780 Cabriolet, 1959, Lister Costin Jaguar, 1933 Jaguar SS1 Coupe, JAGUAR XK 120, Mercedes 630 Murphy, Rolls Royce - Silver Ghost and many more saloons and convertibles from the imperial houses of Rolls Royce, Stutz, Buick, Ford, Chevrolet, Austin Martin and Bentley.

Royal Indian Beauties from different parts of the country participated in the show like the 1939 Mercedes TYP 230 from Jaipur, Jaguar Mark V, 1949 from Ahemadabad, 1935 Bentley along with 1938 Cadillac Series 90 and 1935 Rolls Royce Phantom II Continental from Mumbai, 1929 Mercedes Nurberg from Bangalore, Mereceds Benz Cabriolet 1935 from Rajkot, 1923 Rolls Royce from Kolkata, 1966 Jaguar MK II from Chennai, Dodge 1940-7 Seater limo from Pune.

 6th 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally and Concours Show in Noida

 6th 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally and Concours Show in Noida

The Rally

The rally started from historic Red Fort and moved towards India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Purana Qila Road and then to Delhi Noida Direct (DND) Flyway to head towards Buddh International Circuit (BIC), Sports City in Greater Noida via Expressway. The vintage car rally concluded at Buddh International Circuit.  

Day 1
 
6th 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally and Concours Show was inaugurated by Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister of Haryana and Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus - Tata Sons graced the occasion at the Red Fort on February 06, 2016. The first day of the rally showcased Indian and International motoring beauties of the yesteryear. A cultural show, official band, painting and photography contest were also held on the sidelines.

Benz Patent Motorwagen- the first car invented by Karl Friedrich Benz - pioneering founder of Mercedes-Benz, the Quadra cycle by Henry Ford and 1908 Silver Ghost Rolls Royce the oldest car were the showstoppers on display at the 21 Gun Salute Rally.
 
 6th 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally and Concours Show in at Red Fort
 
 6th 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally and Concours Show in at Red Fort

 6th 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally and Concours Show in at Red Fort

Day 2 

Dr Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Tourism and Culture and Minister of State of Civil Aviation flagged off the 21 Gun Salute Vintage Car Rally and Concours Show on the second day of the Auto Show from Red Fort on February 07, 2016. An enchanting cultural show with dances from different states depicting diverse culture of India was organized at BIC. The entry to the Rally was free.  

21 Gun Salute Vintage Car Rally from Red Fort to Buddh International Circuit, Greater Noida 

21 Gun Salute Vintage Car Rally from Red Fort to Buddh International Circuit, Greater Noida 

Vintage Car Rally entering Budhdh International Circuit, Greater Noida

 6th 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally and Concours Show at Buddh International Circuit, Greater Noida

 6th 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally and Concours Show in Noida

The Winners

1909 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost emerged as the best show car, international category.
1935, Rolls Royce Phantom I emerged as the best show car, owned by an Indian. 
1957 Triumph Tiger emerged as the Best Motorcycle of the show. 

 6th 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally and Concours Show at Buddh International Circuit, Greater Noida

  
 6th 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally and Concours Show at Buddh International Circuit, Greater Noida 

The 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally showcased royal past of splendor, a rich automotive heritage and brought together car enthusiasts, vintage car collectors, tourists, royal families and the common man together. It certainly has paved the way for India becoming a Motoring Tourism Destination. Red Fort, BIC, Vintage and Classic Cars and Royal guests created a perfect ambiance for the blending of India’s Motoring heritage with its great cultural heritage.

Website: 21gunsaluterally

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