A customized sports car on display during the “Auto Show” festival on Basra’s Shatt Al-Arab Corniche, where more than 1,400 vehicles participated in the annual event. Photo by 964media
Basra auto show draws crowds, revives calls for dedicated racetrack
BASRA — More than 1,400 classic, sports, and modified cars took part in Basra’s “Auto Show” festival on Friday, organized by the Iraqi Automobile Sports Federation. The event drew large crowds of families, young people, and officials, many of whom voiced support for calls to establish a dedicated racetrack for motor sports in the city.
Sef Al-Maliki, deputy head of the Iraqi Automobile Federation, told 964media, “The federation is holding its annual Auto Show today with more than 1,400 cars from the classic, sport, special, and custom categories. The turnout was huge, and we were surprised by the number of families and young people attending, as well as the official visits, which gave participants strong moral support.”
He added, “We call for allocating a special racetrack for motor sports to keep this activity within safe and organized spaces, away from random areas and public roads.”
Participant Hammadi Al-Maliki said, “We represent classic cars in Basra and hope to see more vehicles join in the future. All governorates participated — from Nasiriyah, Samawah, Baghdad, and Mosul. Although this festival has a youthful spirit, it included all segments of society, including seniors and women who participated with classic and sports cars.”
Another participant, Mohammed Al-Raqi, said, “We organized this gathering to present Basra in a positive light and show that it has sports cars. We want to demonstrate the capability of Basra’s cars to the world and for audiences in the Gulf and neighboring countries to see it. We also want to send a message to the traffic police that we are organized, and anyone who behaves irresponsibly does not represent us.”
Al-Raqi said he holds first place across Gulf countries in the field of modified cars.
Youssef RT, another participant, said, “My car is a Corvette C7 Stingray with full air suspension, cam, and short exhaust. We wanted to establish this gathering to revive the culture of sports cars and organize it from time to time for young people so we don’t disturb residents in neighborhoods. We aim to hold these events away from populated areas, which is why we chose the Corniche and other open locations.”