Cartier is keen to have a really grand show in Mumbai in February 2013, and a grand show it will be.
They have even managed to get about 5 cars from the Pranlal Bhogilal collection to be displayed, the cars will not be competing but will be present for viewing and the display could be considered as a sort of homage to Pranlal. Nice gesture from all the parties concerned. He did not take part in Cartier 2008 event in Mumbai.
A few cars are being invited for the second time, these cars are such beauties that it is worthy for this exception being made. They are being re-restored to a higher level than before.
Some cars have already selected, but those who don't have a written confirmation should apply before 31st August for being considered. I am putting this up as I have been hearing from some people that though they were told to get their cars ready for the event, they were subsequently told that they should again send their entry. All are not aware of this because some to whom I spoke have not yet applied to Cartier and this has the potential to cause embarrasment to some in future.
As one can imagine, Cartier is doing much to add to the quality of the show, they even tweaked the selection process which I would think as an improvement.
Two months ago I would have predicted where many prizes will go, now I will not because I am confident that the event of this level will also have high quality judging. As said by others before, Cartier seeks its own gains, so there mayl be some Bollywood type of prizes awarded. For the serious categories I am sure that the judging will be professional.
But some of the previous comments do deserve a debate. First of all I added a thanks to Faster's and Karl's post, I thought that more should have been given to these posts.
There were two points being criticzsed by me, the quality of concourse judging, the cars, and the politics in their selection. As a participant, what is wanted is fairness to all for selection and awards. As a spectator it is easy to say that you are just enjoying the cars, to a participant it means much more
. And then one says that posting on this forum we should stick to the cars, and ignore all extra curricular happenings. That is foolish, would one not have liked Pranlal's cars to be present in Cartier 2008? Would that not have added value to enthusiasts? But I am glad that things are changing. The same goes for concourse prizes. Are the standards of restored cars not being lifted? Now when the 2 re-restored cars are shown, will we not compare and see a level of improvement? Both would not happen if we just sat back and let things simply go on and "just enjoy the cars".
It is easy to say go form your own club, but it is also easy to see how many are already keeping away from the movement and events because of the games being played. And it is on this forum that I have commented on certain aspects, have been rebuked and rebutted occasionally, but I feel that it is still helping our movement. We will see better quality events, more events happening, and even clubs/events reacting to our comments and making changes. Badmouthing is not being done, we do criticize with the intention not to run down an event, but to correct the irresponsible ways of some personalities. Remember, almost everything I have said about some events/happenings have never been rebutted, some posts have been deleted, but no intellectual rebuttal. And yet changed have happened, though not always to the desired intentions.
About DKG's comments, yes it is a Cartier show, they are in the business of high end products, they chose cars over golf, and therefore they should have the best event to get best coverage make the effort worth it. In the case of golf, you will expect Tiger, Randhawa, the best from the world and the best in India. If you were to hold the event at Wilingdon club, you would not expect the best golfer of Willingdon to be included, unless he is very very good. That is my point, for the Delhi event rubbish cars were displayed along with the best, upsetting some owners who are included in that target audience (Cartier Customers). I fully agree that the show is not by and for enthusiasts, it is to have a noteworthy event of high class and have the "Cartier" brand associated with the best event in India. I would say that Cartier are very generous in having the Indian classics section, for which unfortunately there is not much on offer in terms of high-end stock. Maybe Cartier can consider to give more access to viewing enthusiasts, and then maybe not. They had hosted the participants magnificently during the 2008 event, there are costs involved for that.
I would also like to add that opposed to my position in the very first post that I will not be a part of this event, I did put an application because the selection process has changed. I am ever more encouraged by this change. Even if my car is not selected, there will be no bitching from my side, but comparisons can be discussed.
I am not a blind critic of Cartier events, some aspects of the management of the last event were commented on. I am sure that this event will match up to or exceed the 2008 event.
And, all those who have not yet applied, please do so immediately.
Cheers harit