Biking enthusiasts have described as the Mad Max of muscle bikes with amazing speed and sheer power and you will have a preview of the beastly beauty at the upcoming CBA Africa Concours d’Elegance.
Because, Kigali based Matthew Wilson has entered his 2003 Yamaha VMax for this year’s CBA Africa Concours d’Elegance to be held on September 27th at the Nairobi Racecourse. He is the first ever competitor from Rwanda to participate in the classiest event on the motor sport calendar whichwill be celebrating the 45th anniversary of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club (Kenya).
The centre piece of the Concours is the judging of 70 classic and vintage cars and 40 motorcycles under regulations approved by the Kenya Motor Sport Federation (KMSF). The event rewards the owners of carefully looked after cars and bikes which are listed in 20 classes for all makes and types. Already the entry list has a full field of 70 cars and motorcycles are heading towards the 40 mark.
There will also be a Classic Car and Motorcycle Sale which will be held at the Nairobi Racecourse together with the Concours. This is open to any machine made in 1990, or earlier regardless of the condition of the car, or motorcycle. As spectators at the Concours include a high proportion of motoring enthusiasts interested in classic cars and bikes, the Sale represents the best opportunity of the year to dispose of a machine which is more than 25 years old.
The entry from Rwanda is already in the country and is being restored by Sati Classics. Speaking in Nairobi Matthew Wilson explained, “It will be lovely to participate again in the Concours. I last competed in the event in 2006 while I was working and living in Nairobi. I relocated to Kigali in 2008 and I am proud that my Yamaha VMax will be the first ever machine from Rwanda to take part in the competition.”

Kigali based Matthew Wilson displays his 2003 Yamaha VMax
“The bike needs a lot of mechanical work, but I have outsourced spares locally and abroad. I am hoping to take home the prizefor the up to 1,200 cc motorcycle class. The Concours is a wonderful event which brings people from all walks of life to the Nairobi Racecourse. I enjoy the fellowship and sportsmanship shown by the competitors at the event.”
The Rwanda entry will face stiff competition from Sati Jabbal with his 1925 DKW and Karl Pleitz on his 1959 BMW. Both are the former overall motorcycle winners and enthusiasts are already speculating who will take home the first prize in the two wheeler category.
The Vintage Motorcycle Club of South Africa has entered three motorcycles for which Jubilee Insurance Kenya Limited will provide insurance cover worth 2.6 million shillings. These are the 1925 Triumph of Johannesburg based Gerald Roelofs, Piet Mass with his rare 1927 Raleigh and Bevan Beckmann’s 1946 Harley Davidson.
Other bikes which will be ridden round the judging ring on September 27thinclude Peter Wanday’s 1956 BSA C10L, a 1988 Honda CBR 600R of Gurvin and Harman Bassi and Andre Antoine’s 1960 BSA B33. Newcomers in the bike category are Tony Payne who will show his 1986 Honda and Mark Washer will display a 1981 BMW.
The Uganda Bikers Association (UBA)will ride their 15 massive bikes from Kampala to Nairobi to contest the Concours. They will be accompanied by 15 other members of the Uganda Bikers Association who are riding to Nairobi to spectate at the Nairobi Racecourse. Newcomers in the Uganda contingent include Gilbert Anguyo with a 2012 BMW R 1200 GS, Dave Maunang riding a 2004 KTM 640 LC4 and Matovu Sunday showing a 2012 Yamaha RI.
While bikes are judged in the motorcycle parade ring at the Nairobi Racecourse, the car marking commences on the Total Quartz inspection ramp with an assessment of the underside. This is followed by inspections of the paint work, the interior and boot and the engine compartment which are conducted in front of the main grand stand. Finally Ian Mbugua and Millicent Ogutu will judge costumes worn by the competitors.
Tor Allan will be driving his 1966 Peugeot 404 from Arusha to Nairobi for the Concours. The event has also attracted four car entries from Uganda to add to the growing numbers of competitors from outside Kenya. The oldest car entry from Kampala is Peter Kagwa’s 1937 Wolseley limousine. Jinja based Leslie Carvell will be driving her 1970 VW Beetle to the Racecourse, Ronald Walusimbi will show his 1974 Mercedes W114 and John Petter Gaustad will compete in a 1979 Mercedes 300GD.
Among the cars which will be seen for the first time at the Nairobi Racecourse on September 27th are the 1926 Ford Model T of Ramesh Kumar Gupta, a 1930 Ford Model A Coupe of Gary Farrant and Kalvins Kagwa’s 1937 Wolseley. Other interesting machines include a bright red 1965 Jaguar E-Type sports coupe entered by Alec Davis, Fergus Robley’s 1967 Alfa Romeo sports and a replica of the 1974 Lancer which the legendary Jodginder Singh drove to victory in the Safari Rally.