Autoelectro Managing Director, Tony Bhogal, said he was “honoured” after leading the judging panel in the 2018 Bradford Classic on Saturday. Tony, along with classic car journalist, Richard Barnett and racing driver, Laura Harris, assessed more than 130 cars on-display, watched by more than 13,000 spectators on a warm summer’s afternoon in Bradford City Centre. Alec Edwards, owner of a 1957 coral pink Ford Zephyr, won the grand prize of Winner of Best in Show. Meanwhile, Geoff Stanley with his 1973 Fiat 500, Flossie, won the runners-up prize, and Andy Harrison, with his 1968 BMC 1800 London to Sydney rally car, was highly commended.
On being invited to be head judge, Tony said: “I was honoured to be asked by event organiser, Mike Cowlam, especially after  being involved in this wonderful event previously. It was a great way to give our home city, Bradford, something back and be involved in something that is personal to me. “In terms of visitors and exhibitors, the turnout was amazing. There was such an array of cars, which made judging very difficult, but the winners deserved their accolades. The glorious weather made it an even more enjoyable occasion. “On behalf of Autoelectro, I look forward to continuing our involvement in the annual event, which is becoming an integral part of Bradford’s calendar, and I am sure it will become an important part of the classic car one as well.” As part of the programme, there was a rare exhibition of photographs, showing the Jowett factory, its Le Mans-winning cars and production prototypes. Also on display was a collection of historic competition cars, including Barry Williams’s 1968 Cooper S, which won the Mini Cooper’s maiden international rally title. Plans are already underway for an extended Bradford Classic in 2019.
*Original article can be found in the IAAF Newsletter and on their website at: www.iaafnewsletter.co.uk/2018/08/17/autoelectro-md-heads-2018-bradford-classic-judging-panel/.