The Statesman hosted the official announcement meet to commemorate the 55th The Statesman Vintage and Classic Car Rally.
The rally will take place in Kolkata, Royal Calcutta Turf Club, Polo Grounds in Hastings. The prestigious rally is the oldest running rally of the country, started in the year 1968, displaying history, the era of heavy motors, and sheer engineering marvel of the past.
Adding to the occasion, a vintage Fiat car was showcased at the venue as a showstopper attraction, offering a glimpse into the heritage and grandeur synonymous with the iconic rally.
Around 160 vintage and classic cars and 50 two-wheelers are expected to participate, making it a grand celebration of automotive heritage and timeless engineering. The rally will be flagged off at 9.10 a.m. from the RCTC Polo Ground. There will be 52 vintage cars, 35 classic cars, eight Neo-classical cars, seven vintage bikes, and 18 classic bikes at the rally.
The event will feature a spectacular line-up of legendary marques, including Triumph, Studebaker, Chevrolet, Dodge, DeSoto, along with iconic British brands such as Austin, Morris, and MG, reflecting the rich legacy of global motoring history.
Gobinda Mukherjee, Business Head – East India, The Statesman, said: “Now the rally, with its cultural programmes, has gained a lot of traction with the people. All passes are free of cost. The passes will be given till Friday. Prize distribution will commence from 3 p.m. Games, food stalls, and cultural programmes are the added bonuses to this grand fair. No participation fee is charged from the entrants. The objective of the rally is to provide vintage and classic car owners a platform to showcase their prized possessions and keep automotive heritage alive. While car shows are held regularly, The Statesman Vintage and Classic Car Rally remains the oldest rally of its kind in the country.”
Also present at the Press conference were Dr Suman Bhattacharya, Senior Vice-President, Sayed Hasmat Jalal, Consulting Editor, Dainik Statesman, and Nitish Kapoor, head – event and activation, The Statesman, Delhi. The session was moderated by Debashis Das, chief reporter, Dainik Statesman, and Tapaja Chakraborty, sub-editor The Statesman.
Free passes are available from The Statesman Kolkata office during this week from morning 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. till 9 January.
Mr Bhattacharya said: “Today we celebrate a living chronicle of history. Since our first flag off, in 1964, this rally has evolved from a simple gathering of enthusiastic people to a culture of automobile celebration. The Statesman has pioneered a golden age of motoring. Our own judges will be looking for authenticity, restoration and spirit of the age.”
It will be a 30-km rally. Chief Judge, Jitender Pandey along with his entourage of judges, and specialists will be present to judge the cars.
Lieutenant General Ram Chandra Tiwari, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command, will flag off the cars.