February 6, 2016
NEW DELHI: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar inaugurated the 6th 21 Gun
Salute international vintage car rally from the Red Fort in New Delhi on Saturday.
Earlier, the National Green Tribunal made a one-time exception to its order that
banned all vehicles older than 15 years from plying on Delhi roads, allowing the rally on Saturday and Sunday.
The rally had international participation. The vintage ones included a pre-World War,
1908 Silver Ghost Rolls Royce. The race takes place at the Formula One Buddh
International Circuit on Sunday. About 125 such cars were to take part in the race. As
the Maharajas of India used to patronise the manufacturers, many of the Indian
vintages participating belonged to them. Vintage and classic cars like the 1939
Mercedes as well as the first car invented by Karl Friedrich Benz, Benz Patent
Motorwagen, are among the exhibits.
Display of 125 unique vintage cars and 25 vintage bikes from all over India and abroad
at the historic Red Fort and cultural performances by different Indian and foreign
tourism boards formed the first day programme on Saturday.
The second day on Sunday marked a ceremonial international vintage car and bike rally
with a flag-off at the Red Fort. The rally cruised to the International Buddh Formula 1
Racing Circuit, Greater Noida, followed by category races and prize distribution and
cultural performances.
Along with the display of 75 exclusive hand-picked Indian vintage cars and 15
international cars, spectators were also provideda a glimpse of the art and dance
forms of all parts of the country.
21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally & Concours Show 2016 focuses on
turning India the world's motoring tourism destination. It seeks participation and
involvement of vintage and classic car enthusiasts and collectors. The rally has been
on for the past five years. This time was held with Red Fort as the background, to
highlight India’s glorious past and its cultural elegance. Countries like the USA, France,
Germany and Italy also organises such vintage car rallies.
