bahrainthismonth.com | NOVEMBER 2026 LUXURY 63 Meanwhile, The 4x4 Trailblazers will recognise vehicles associated with exploration and off-road capability, celebrating the machines that have helped shape all-terrain motoring. Around 200 Car Club members’ cars are expected to complement the main Concours field, offering visitors a broader look at automotive culture across Bahrain and the wider Gulf. James Brooks-Ward, Chairman of the Royal Bahrain Concours, acknowledges the extraordinary diversity of cars and automotive culture across Bahrain and the wider GCC, explaining that the expanded competition programme was designed to reflect this. Expert Eyes An international judging panel will bring together specialists whose experience spans automotive publishing and the collector-car world. Among the confirmed judges is James Elliott, Editor in Chief of Octane, a publication dedicated to classic and performance cars. He will be joined by Alastair Clements, Editor in Chief of Classic & Sports Car, who returns following the inaugural Bahrain event. Filmmaker Manish Pandey, writer of the awardwinning documentary Senna and co-director of Luca: Seeing Red, will contribute his experience in automotive storytelling. The latter documentary explores the life of former Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo. Also joining the panel is Arjun Oberoi, Chairman of the Selection Committee for The Oberoi Concours d’Elegance, alongside automotive curators and historic motoring experts Flavien and Vanessa Marçais. The panel brings together perspectives from those who document automotive history and those involved in selecting significant collector cars for international concours events. Further judges will be announced ahead of the event. Beyond the Lawns One of the most significant additions for 2026 is RBC TV, a new broadcasting platform designed to bring the event’s cars and their stories to audiences beyond the Royal Golf Club. Combining live and on-demand programming, the platform will feature interviews with collectors, expert discussions and coverage of the judging and awards, alongside reporting from throughout the event. A dedicated studio, described by organisers as the first of its kind at a concours event worldwide, will anchor the coverage. Prerecorded features will explore the histories and craftsmanship behind participating vehicles, while an on-demand library will allow audiences to revisit selected stories after the event. Presenting RBC TV will be JP Rathgen, CEO of collector-car platform Classic Driver and host of BMW Group Classic’s Classic Heart podcast; Amanda Stretton, a racing driver and broadcaster whose career includes the 24 Hours of Le Mans; and Sara Essa, a sports presenter and motorsport commentator. Mr. Brooks-Ward explains the thinking behind the new platform, noting that RBC TV will provide “a new way to bring the stories behind those cars to a wider audience, exploring their provenance, craftsmanship, history and the people behind them in far greater depth.” Organised by Thorough Events in collaboration with the Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority, the Royal Bahrain Concours will bring together collectors and enthusiasts from across the region and beyond. With its expanded competition field and new broadcasting platform, the event offers visitors the chance to encounter automotive history first-hand and discover the stories behind the vehicles on display. For more information, visit www.royalconcours.com
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