Classic car enthusiasts across the Gulf are being invited to attend the upcoming Malta Classic, one of Europe’s finest vintage car rallies.

This year’s event runs from October 6 to 9 and is once again sponsored by Malta’s Grande Dame hotel, the Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa.

It will feature a hill climb, concours d’elegance, practice and timed laps, and the final race on the circuit outside Mdina’s fortifications.

Formerly known as the Mdina Grand Prix, the Malta Classic is a four-day classic car and lifestyle event. Now in its sixth consecutive year, the event celebrates vintage style against an historic backdrop.

This year will see 70 participants from England, Italy, France, Malta and Switzerland. A variety of notable makes will form the grid, including Riley, Alvis, Ferrari, Jaguar, Alfa Romeo, Lancia and Talbot. 

The organisers are also accepting expressions of interest from non-members who’d like to make a contribution.

“For the third consecutive year, we at the Corinthia Palace Hotel and Spa are thrilled to be sponsoring the Malta Classic, an event synonymous with charm and elegance,” says General Manager David Woodward. “As the Malta Classic brand continues to evolve, it fits ever-better with our own dedication to celebrating and providing the very best things in life, from top-quality food and wine, to excellent service, accommodation and events.”

On October 6, the Malta Classic opens with the Hill Climb at the Pennellu Hill, which will be followed by a party in Mellieħa for overseas drivers.

The following day, the Malta Classic Concours d’Elegance will celebrate the power and beauty of classics in the heart of Mdina, where select car collectors are invited to unveil their historic models. Entertainment, period dress and refreshments will add to the delight of visitors.

The challenging circuit outside Mdina’s fortifications awaits drivers on October 8, and on October 9 the races on the Malta Classic Grand Prix Circuit will commence, bringing out the very best performances by car and driver. The weekend will draw to a close with an awards ceremony hosted at the Corinthia Palace Hotel.

This annual event was founded in October 2007, when French classic car enthusiast Thierry Giovannini organised Malta’s first ever Classic Car Grand Prix on the ring road of Valletta, bringing some of Europe’s finest classic cars to Malta to race on the Valletta circuit. 

In April 2009, enthusiasts brought together by this event set up the Valletta Grand Prix Foundation to carry on what Giovannini had started and in 2011, the event was transferred to its current home in Mdina.