Classic cars, drifting and speed thrill fans at Rwanda Auto Fest

The roar of engines, the elegance of vintage classics and the precision of drifting took centre stage as the third edition of the Rwanda Auto Fest Show brought together drivers, collectors and car enthusiasts in Kigali. Held at the Kigali CHIC Building, the event featured exhibitions of luxury, classic and modified vehicles alongside slalom and drifting competitions involving eight local drivers. The day concluded with a concert featuring Rwandan artistes, blending motorsport with entertainment. Elysée Confiance, popularly known as “Bima Boy,” won the Best Slalom Driver award after completing the course in an impressive 45 seconds, while Fred Cesar was voted Best Drifter. ALSO READ: Davite claims victory as mechanical failure shake Nyirangarama Rally Event promoter Fabrice Nkubana told Times Sport that the festival aims to nurture a stronger motorsport culture while creating more opportunities for Rwandan drivers. “The objective this year is to showcase vintage and luxury cars, organise slalom and drifting competitions, and demonstrate what these drivers and machines are capable of,” he said. Nkubana noted that this year’s edition attracted significantly more vehicle owners than previous editions, with collectors proudly putting their rare and luxury cars on display. “Last year we mainly focused on racing, but this time many people brought their classic and luxury cars to exhibit. That shows growing public interest.” Beyond entertainment, he said the long-term vision is to transform Rwanda Auto Fest into an international motorsport event. “We want to attract drivers from around the world while preparing Rwandan drift and rally drivers to compete internationally. Rwanda Auto Fest aims to become the leading platform for motorsport talent in Rwanda.” The competition featured two disciplines: slalom, in which drivers competed for the fastest time, and drifting, with winners determined through fan voting. Bringing car enthusiasts together Among the competitors was German entrepreneur Stéphane Rehm, who rescheduled his flight to take part in the event. “I’ve been living in Rwanda since 2022, although I first visited in 2015 while working on solar energy projects,” he said. Driving his 58-year-old Cadillac V14, Rehm described the event as a unique experience. “I joined mainly to meet people who share the same passion for cars. Keeping classic cars alive requires dedication, and it’s wonderful to meet others with the same mindset.” He added that the event represented something special for motorsport on the continent. “Doing something like this in Africa is unique. It brings together people who genuinely love cars and want to preserve automotive heritage.” Spectators also praised the event’s atmosphere and organisation. Innocent Uwamahoro described the festival as exciting and important for Rwanda’s growing motorsport scene. “It’s incredible to see these kinds of cars displayed and competing here. The only challenge was the lighting because the competitions started a bit late, making some drivers more cautious. Apart from that, the atmosphere was fantastic.” Visitor Juliane Mutebi, who travelled from Uganda, said she enjoyed seeing classic vehicles that are rarely found on East African roads. “It was amazing to see vintage cars that you don’t normally see every day. I only wish the slalom course had been longer and that even more cars participate next year,” she said. She also commended the event’s organisation, praising the seating arrangements, vehicle exhibitions and overall experience for fans. The festival also rewarded outstanding performances across several categories. Irene Iradukunda, driving a Land Rover Defender, won the Best Classic Car award. In the luxury category, Yves Ushimwemana took home the Best Luxury Car prize with his Ford Mustang, while Calvin John received the Best Customized Car award for his BMW E46. Ken rounded off the winners' list by claiming the Best Bike Rider title. The awards capped off a successful third edition of Rwanda Auto Fest, celebrating not only speed and driving skills but also automotive craftsmanship and the country's growing community of motorsport enthusiasts.

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Classic cars, drifting and speed thrill fans at Rwanda Auto Fest