Dubai: India’s first Formula One racing driver Narain Karthikeyan is set to race a historic 1964 Lincoln Continental famously known as the ‘Popemobile’ from the renowned Yohan Poonawalla Collection in the Mille Miglia UAE rally due to be held from 2-5 December 2024. Teaming up with F1 sensation will be motoring journalist Renuka Kirpalani of the ‘Driven’, Mashable and Autocar India fame, India’s fastest woman. This is the first time the duo will be collaborating to compete in what is billed as “the most beautiful race in the middle east”.
In a meeting of the two pioneering motoring men which took place at the Poonawalla House in Pune, the F1 driver toured the Yohan Poonawalla Collection and chose the historic ‘Popemobile’ to be his ride. Pioneering in their own domains both individuals have brought India great laurels.
Yohan Poonawalla, the multi award winning collector, has led India in the concours world, showcasing overseas, India’s rich automotive heritage to much acclaim. The celebrated Indian collector has participated in both editions of the race held so far, first with the historic Lincoln ‘Popemobile’ in 2022 and with the Emir of Qatar’s Rolls-Royce Phantom V in 2023. While Narain was the first Indian to race in Formula 1.
Commenting on the event, Yohan Poonawalla said, “I will be returning to the event for the third consecutive year to race my special 1974 Jaguar E-type Roadster Series III which is powered by a 5.3 liter V12 and wears a ravishing red with a black top. Following its recent nut & bolt restoration, this will be the first major race for the “big cat” under my ownership which appears raring to do what it was exactly built to do. I am eager to put it through its paces on the stunning UAE roads, in particular the climb and descent of the awe-inspiring Jebal Jais mountainscape, the country’s highest peak”.
Speaking about his participation, Narain said, “This can be challenging and also exhilarating at the same time, as its not just about going fast but more about combining time, distance and speed. I am looking forward to this rare opportunity to race this historic Popemobile, at such a historic event, from the legendary Yohan Poonawalla collection, with fellow petrolhead Renuka playing the role of my co-driver and navigator”.
India’s fastest woman, Renuka Kirpalani added “In my rallying career I had never raced a historically significant car, so I am eagerly looking forward to racing this legendary collection’s iconic Popemobile, alongside India’s sensational F1 driver on the scenic roads of the UAE”.
Now in its third edition, the regularity rally organized by Octanium is held under the patronage and supervision of the venerable ‘1000 MIGLIA’ based in Italy, Over the course of 4 days, the drivers will cover over 1600 kilometers criss-crossing the beautiful landscapes of all seven Emirates which make-up the federation of UAE. The rally will be flagged oƯ from Dubai on Dec 2 and will culminate on Dec 5 in the capital Abu Dhabi.
The Yohan Poonawalla Collection in India is an assemblage of some of the most historically significant motor cars including this “Popemobile”. In 1964 when the Pope Paul VI visited India to attend the International Eucharistic Congress, a brand new Lincoln Continental 4-door convertible was imported for the pontiƯ. The open touring, long wheelbase car was deemed ideal for the papal tour as thousands of devotees and blessing-seekers thronged the Indian streets to catch a glimpse of the leader of the Catholic Church. Video footage and photographs from the visit show the high priest traveling in it decorated with flagmasts on both sides as it seamlessly cruised past huge crowds, and was guarded by a battery of bike-riding policemen.
Subsequently, prior to his departure, the Pope gifted the Lincoln to Mother Teresa, the Calcutta-based Nobel laureate. The Albanian-born missionary was known for a lifetime of services to the needy, in particular compassion towards the homeless and disease-stricken destitute. The Altruist that she was, Mother Teresa auctioned oƯ the vehicle and donated its proceeds to a welfare trust.
Today, the historic car has been returned to its original white livery with the original interiors also preserved. It is mechanically in fine fettle and remains in concours condition. Designed by Elwood Engel, the luxurious Lincoln was powered by a 7 litre V8. It was Ford’s Motor Company’s answer to General Motor’s Cadillac. Steeped in history, with an illustrious pedigree and noble provenance, this car is an automotive monument to the first ever papal visit to India.
Poonawalla’s passion for classic cars has earned him global recognition, with accolades such as the Classic Car Ambassador of the Year Award 2023’ by Historic Motoring Awards UK and being named as the first and only Indian in the ‘Top 100 Classic Collectors of the World. He was also named ‘Collector Of The Year 2023’ at the Geneva International motor show in Qatar.