Yohan Poonawalla Wins “Hero of the Rally” at Mille Miglia UAE 2024
Yohan Poonawalla Wins “Hero of the Rally” at Mille Miglia UAE 2024
Industrialist Yohan Poonawalla was awarded the prestigious “Hero of the Rally” at the Mille Miglia UAE 2024. Representing India, he competed in his iconic 1974 Jaguar E-Type Roadster V12.
The rally covered challenging UAE terrains, including the Jebel Jais mountains. Poonawalla, known for his rare car collection, expressed gratitude for the honor. “I am honored to receive the ‘Hero of the Rally’ award at one of the most prestigious events like Mille Miglia UAE rally. This recognition is a testament to my passion for preserving automotive heritage,” he said.
Poonawalla’s collection includes the historic 1964 Lincoln “Popemobile,” which was displayed at the event. India’s first Formula One driver, Narain Karthikeyan, drove the car. It holds significant history, having been used during Pope Paul VI’s visit to India in 1964 and later gifted to Mother Teresa.
Poonawalla has been recognized globally for his contributions to automotive heritage. He won the ‘Classic Car Ambassador of the Year 2023’ title and was listed among the ‘Top 100 Classic Collectors of the World.’
The Mille Miglia UAE rally celebrates vintage automotive excellence, and Poonawalla’s participation highlighted India’s presence on the global stage. His dedication to preserving classic cars continues to earn him accolades worldwide.
