Here Is First Ever Ducati Motorcycle Entry in This Year’s Concoursd’Elegance

Russell Hughes, a motoring enthusiast based in Gilgil has entered a 1952 Ducati 65T in the CBA Africa Concours d’Elegance which is scheduled for mid-September at the Nairobi Racecourse.

This is the first time a Ducati will be appearing in the Concours which has been organized annually by the Alfa Romeo Owners Club since 1970.

The Ducati was originally owned by a coffee farmer in Kitale but very little is known about the bike’s history. Russell found the motorcycle totally dismantled in the store of a shop in Gilgil and bought all the components as a restoration project.

Other motorcycles of the same era which will be ridden around in Nairobi Racecourse parade ring during the Concours include Ted Wanday’s 1956 BSA C10 and the 1960 BSA of Andre Antoine. Both these competitors have contested the Concours in previous years, but they can expect a strong challenge from Russell Hughes.

Russell Hughes (right) and his brother Mikey (left) check the components of a 1952 Ducati motorcycle which is being rebuilt for the CBA Africa Concours d’Elegance scheduled for September 25th at the Nairobi Racecourse. This is the first time a Ducati will be appearing in the Concours which has been held annually by the Alfa Romeo Owners Club since 1970

Russell  has prepared every part of the Ducati separately and is now painstakingly rebuilding this Italian machine. Together with his brother Mikey he is also sourcing old equipment and machinery for the Heritage Collection which has become an appealing additional attraction of the Concours.

The Alfa Romeo Owners Club holds the annual Concours to reward the owners of  classic and vintage cars and motorcycles with the opportunity to show their treasured machines to enthusiasts and their families at the event. In addition they receive assessments of their entries from highly experienced judges. They also have the chance of winning awards for the top places in 20 classes for all makes and types of cars and bikes.

The regulations for the CBA Africa Concoursd’Elegance are available on the event website www.concourskenya.com.

Among the latest entries to be received are the 1961 Volkswagen Karman Ghia coupe of DJ Adrian and Tumaini Muthiga’s 1970 Austin Mini and 1982 Peugeot 504. Ronald Walusimbiof Uganda will be showing a 1972 Mercedes Benz. Another entry from Uganda is the 1970 VW Beetle of Leslie Carvell who is based in Jinja and will be competing in the Concours for the third time.

Commenting on the Concours entries, Lucy Mungai, the Concours Secretary, said, “Car entries are heading for the 60 mark and there is a steady increase in bikes. To ensure the highest possible standards of judging, car entries are limited by the regulations to 70 and the maximum for motorcycles is 40. There is every indication that we will have a full house before the closing of entries early in September.”