Classic car collectors to parade automobile showpieces at Burj Dubai Classic Car Show 2009

Vehicles that celebrate elegance and functionality will take part in the show, and compete for the 'best car' in eight categories including a Public Choice Award.

Apart from the in-competition classic cars, the event will also feature some of the finest automobile showpieces from renowned private collectors at a public exhibition.

Rally legend Mr Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA Vice President and President of the Automobile & Touring Club of the UAE; the El Serkal family; Mr Ahmed Abdulrahim Baker; Mr Khalid Yousuf Baker - all passionate car collectors; and Sharjah Museum are presenting a rare collection of classic cars, some of them never before presented in public.

Mr Ahmad Al Matrooshi, Managing Director - UAE, Emaar Properties, said:

"Classic cars are a passion and an extension of an individual's personality. For the first time in the region, the 3.5 km Emaar Boulevard is showcasing the largest array of cars that have a distinct legacy, at the Burj Dubai Classic Car Show 2009. The show and classic car competition reiterate the evolution of Downtown Burj Dubai, Emaar's flagship project, as the new heart of the city."

The Burj Dubai Classic Car Show is organised by Emaar Properties with the support of the Automobile & Touring Club of the United Arab Emirates (ATCUAE), a member of the 'Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens' (FIVA), the world-wide authority for historic vehicles. The competition, therefore, will be to international standards with a panel of expert judges evaluating the classic cars on the criteria of car originality, engine cleanliness, original car colour, historical car value, finishing and aesthetics.

The crowing prize at the competition is the Burj Dubai Classic Car Show Award with the judges choosing one winning car. Awards will also be given for the Best of Show in the Public Exhibition and the Classic Car Parade, which will be a true test of the functionality and aesthetics of the vehicles. For the Public Choice award, special drop-boxes will be set up along Emaar Boulevard, and based on individual preference of cars, members of the public can choose their clear favourite through a ballot.

Four other Awards are reserved for specific categories that will also be a test for the jury. The judges have to pick winning cars in Pre World War II, Post World War II, European Car and American Car categories. While the Pre World War II classic cars will take viewers down history lane, the Post World War II vehicles are a tribute to the evolution of the automobile industry.

European and American Classic Cars too are a study on the tastes, affinities and preferences of people in two continents and their experimentations on car manufacturing. Unlike today's globalised world, car manufacturers then had to rely on personal creativity and original thinking to create cars with the limited industrial development in the past decades. All these leave a mark on the make and functionality of the vehicles.

The most colourful aspect of the Burj Dubai Classic Car Show will be the parades that will be held at different times of the day on February 27 and 28. Set by the Downtown Burj Dubai's architectural marvels, the parades will enthrall viewers with a never-before-seen experience. The event will culminate with a winner's parade, in which eight of the cars selected by the jury and the public will march through Emaar Boulevard.

During the two-day event, members of the public also have the opportunity to interact with classic car owners, share their enthusiasm and learn more about the hobby. To further add to the event's appeal, a selection of classic cars will be displayed at the Atrium of The Dubai Mall too.

Mr Matrooshi explained, "Burj Dubai Classic Car Show rolls out an exciting lifestyle calendar of events for Downtown Burj Dubai residents. Emaar is celebrating family living with this event. By hosting the event at Emaar Boulevard, we are further highlighting the lifestyle appeal of this vibrant destination. The 500-acre neighbourhood is already home to The Dubai Mall, one of the world's largest shopping and entertainment destinations; Souk Al Bahar, a modern mall with Arabesque architectural elements; and four elegant hotels."

He added, "Emaar Boulevard is designed to become one of the world's finest boulevards, and will feature regular cultural and sports activities. With the opening of the Dubai Fountain shortly, Downtown Burj Dubai will become a tourism destination."

Emaar Boulevard plans to host several art, fashion, cultural and sports events in the coming months, thus adding to the lifestyle appeal of Downtown Burj Dubai.