Doha, November 04 (QNA) - The Gulf Qatari Classic Cars Association announced that the seventh Qatar Classic Cars Contest and Exhibition 2026 will run from Nov. 17 to 22 in collaboration with FIVA, bringing together official domestic and international participants under the patronage of HE Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Qatar Museums, Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani.
The association announced details of the event at a press conference Wednesday attended by several of its senior officials and representatives of the entities sponsoring and supporting the exhibition and contest.
Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), member of the Board of Directors and Secretary of the Association Eng. Abdullatif Ali Al Yafei highlighted what significantly sets this edition apart from previous iterations: the participation of all GCC countries. He also noted that, for the first time, Qatari judges would join the five-member judging panel, which comprises specialists in classic cars, including three international judges with extensive experience in evaluating classic vehicles and a track record of participating in numerous international events and competitions.
The two Qatari judges have honed their expertise through their involvement in all six previous editions, which has equipped them with valuable experience in judging competitions of this kind, Al Yafei said.
He noted that, since the launch of the first edition of the contest and exhibition, the organizing committee had set in motion a plan to qualify and prepare Qatari judges to join judging panels, reflecting its commitment to building national cadres equipped with the knowledge and expertise required in this field.
Al Yafei noted that achieving this objective hinged on ensuring that young Qataris had sufficient awareness of the value, history and heritage of classic cars. He added that the passion for these vehicles demonstrated by several young people, coupled with their knowledge of them, had prompted the organizing committee to select Qatari judges after establishing that they were well-versed in the competition's criteria and requirements.
The two Qatari judges gained their expertise through their participation in previous editions and their interaction with international judges, who bring high levels of competence and expertise and participate in judging international competitions in various countries, with some having more than 30 years of experience, Al Yafei continued.
Al Yafei further pointed out that this experience had enabled the Qatari judges to gain first-hand insight into the criteria for evaluating classic cars, which require specialized knowledge and differ from other evaluation methods, as well as familiarity with the various types of vehicles, their history and their technical characteristics.
He explained that working alongside international judges during previous editions had been instrumental in transferring their expertise to the Qatari judges and enabling them to fully grasp the competition's requirements and criteria, ultimately equipping them to undertake judging independently, without having to rely on judges from abroad.
Al Yafei affirmed that the organizing committee continued to open the door to more young Qataris seeking to enter the field of competition judging, particularly those who possess a genuine passion for classic cars, are knowledgeable about them and appreciate their historical and artistic value.
Regarding the judging criteria for the classic cars competition, he explained that the evaluation process requires specialized expertise and extensive knowledge of this category of vehicles, given the differences in their characteristics, specifications, technical details and historical features.
Addressing the press conference, Al Yafei said this year's edition would be exceptional, noting that applications from GCC countries accounted for approximately 40 percent of the total applications submitted to the Association. 
This, he added, reflects the prestigious standing the event has attained at the regional level and underscores its success in attracting an elite selection of the rarest and most luxurious classic cars, representing different historical milestones in the automotive industry.
Al Yafei highlighted the close collaboration with sponsoring entities, which reflects growing confidence in the event and reinforces its role as a leading platform for classic car enthusiasts in Qatar and across the region, securing its place on the country's annual events calendar commensurate with its regional and international significance.
He stressed that early promotion of the event through digital platforms had contributed to increased participation, with the Association receiving more than 150 registration applications, from which 70 luxury classic cars were selected in accordance with FIVA standards.
Al Yafei noted that the specialist committee had assessed all applications against the approved criteria and selected 70 classic cars to participate in this year's contest and exhibition. The vehicles were divided into five approved historical categories in accordance with FIVA standards, spanning the period from 1900 through 1996. The categories comprise Category 1: Before 1950; Category 2: 1950-1960; Category 3: 1961-1971; Category 4: 1972-1983; and Category 5: 1984-1996.
Overall, the Association has allocated 20 cash and in-kind awards this year, including 15 awards for the top three places across the five approved categories, in addition to five special distinction awards recognizing the Best Extraordinary Luxury Vehicle, Most Representative Car, Best Preserved Original Car, Best Local Heritage Car and Best Car in Show.
The winners will be announced at the closing ceremony on Nov. 22. 
Speaking at the press conference, Director of Qatar Auto Museum at Qatar Museums, Dr. Al Kindi Al Jawabra, said Qatar Auto Museum's participation in this distinguished event reflects its mission to showcase the cultural and historical heritage of automobiles and celebrate their artistic and engineering value.
The Museum's contribution will include displaying one vehicle representing Qatar Auto Museum. This symbolic participation will be limited to the exhibition, without entering the contest, to avoid competing with Qatari car collectors, he added.
Dr. Al Jawabra highlighted that Qatar Auto Museum, in collaboration with the National Museum of Qatar, will display a 1938 Chevrolet military multipurpose vehicle, noting that the vehicle belongs to the earliest chapter of Qatar's automotive history: it was owned by Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al-Thani, Ruler of Qatar from 1913 to 1949, and subsequently passed to his son, Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al-Thani.
This contribution will also include producing a series of short educational videos for emerging collectors, offering guidance on acquisition, restoration, preservation and preparation for classic car display and judging competitions, Dr. Al Jawabra continued.
He said the museum will also organize a dedicated educational program to introduce school and university students to the event and highlight classic automobiles as collectible works of art that bring together engineering, art and design.
Human Resources and Administration Director at United Development Company (UDC), the event's Strategic Partner, Meshal Al Jabir, said the partnership reflects a belief in the importance of supporting events that celebrate cultural and artistic heritage while combining passion, authenticity and excellence in design and engineering.
Classic cars are more than vehicles, Al Jabir clarified, adding that they are works of art that embody a rich history of creativity and craftsmanship and illustrate the evolution of design and engineering across generations.
He pointed out that hosting this event is also an extension of The Pearl Island's role as an integrated destination for exceptional events that enrich Qatar's cultural and social landscape and offer distinctive experiences to residents and visitors.
Head of Public Relations and Communications at the Social and Sport Contribution Fund (DAAM), Abdulla Jumah Al Kuwari, said DAAM is pleased to announce its support for this edition for the fifth consecutive year, highlighting that this support reaffirms DAAM's commitment to sustaining activities that preserve cultural and social heritage and raise awareness of its value.
The fund aims to encourage classic car owners, including younger generations who inherit these vehicles, to continue preserving and maintaining them in recognition of their historical and heritage significance and their connection to important stages in the development of motoring in Qatar, Al Kuwari elaborated.
Chief Marketing Officer at Alfardan Automotive, the event's Main Sponsor, Hussein Omar Alfardan, said the event has become a highlight of Qatar's annual calendar and a meeting point for classic car enthusiasts from around the world.
Alfardan added that this year's exhibition reaffirms its significance not only as a showcase for exceptional vehicles but also as a cultural and historical platform that tells stories of engineering and artistic innovation across the decades.
Alfardan Automotive is proud to serve as Main Sponsor of this prestigious event, Alfardan said, remarking that the sponsorship reflects the company's strategic vision of strengthening tourism and the national economy. As part of its continued commitment to the classic car sector, the company remains dedicated to developing distinctive initiatives that serve this passion.
At the conclusion of the event announcement, the Association invited the public to visit the exhibition and enjoy a unique experience celebrating the beauty and rich history of classic automobiles in a cultural and entertaining setting that reflects Qatar's spirit and traditions. (QNA)