A Bugatti Veyron stands resplendent in a blue hue on my one side. On the other hand there are a couple of semi-formally dressed steam cats from all walks of life – welcome to the Archive store in Cape Town, which specializes in vehicle storage, private brokerage and high-end car details, among other services.
No doubt, mischief was in the air, perhaps due to the knowledge of what was in the stew and my newfound interest in the Countach Cannonball Run and the antics of a reporter named Brock Yates.
As such, they ignore the establishment and want to go out, have fun and drive.
The run spanned from the East to the West Coast of the United States.
Of course, times have changed a lot, and the Cannonball Run has all but disappeared into the history of motoring rebellion, but the legend lives on – and one man has taken the legend and made it his own.
His name is Ross Crichton, the car rally racer turned banker and the man behind the Cape 1 000.
So why the name, you might be wondering? Well, because the route in the Western Cape – where the pothole per capita ratio is 0, so it’s good for any car – over 1000 miles covering some of the country’s best roads.
Add to the essence of the rally time and that hint of competition and you have something resembling motoring nirvana. With that, you quickly conclude that this is going to be a fun event, which is now in its second year and is quickly gaining momentum.
At the media launch event of the upcoming epic roadtrip was Michelle Hambly Grobler, Porsche collector and winner of last year’s spirit award for the rally.
Also in the crowd, and in a slightly incognito mode, the owner of the Bugatti Veyron, who will participate in this year’s run.
Bugatti is no doubt the crown jewel and headliner for some, and the car I know is local, but has never set eyes on it.
Most of the time, I was shown around the treasure trove of luxury vehicles in the Archives. I feel a little dirty.
Original 996 GT3 RS with less than 50 000 km on the clock has full attention when not gawking over Bugatti.
Among the many parked cars, there must be some belonging to the group that will participate in the rally.
A Pagoda belonging to a certain celebrity which I dare not mention whispers to my friendly host, Alex, another dedicated petrolhead and the person who has been trying to get me to drive a Porsche Cayman GT4 for a while now.
I shudder to think why not yet. Ah, yes, commitment … That’s it! Unfortunately, the point we have reached here is this: the public meeting will become a real common thread for travelers. If this kick-off event is anything to go by, the rally will certainly be worth it.
The route will be fun for the drivers and anyone who comes to watch. So grab that camera if you’re in the area.
Starting from the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, the route goes to Hermanus along Rooiels drive and then to George before heading to Franschhoek and then back to the Waterfront.
During the four-day run, 60% will be touring, and 40% will be timed to ensure the competition remains, let’s say, competitive.
The limited entry list of 60 cars was quickly completed, including some knee-jerk motoring legends like the 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster, one of the five 1935 Bentley “Blue Trains”, the 1973 Ferrari Daytona GTB 4, the 1993 Lamborghini Diablo and the super-rare 2008 Bugatti Veyron.
The mix of classes includes decades of technology and design from Tribute Class models (1927 to 1957), to classics up to 1976.
Meanwhile, the Modern Classics (1977 to 1996) will also attract a large number of participants, while the Sports Class includes cars from 1997 to the present day.
What else could there be, I thought?
The group of drivers headed upstairs to be briefed by route organizer and legendary racing car driver Dave Alexander, and I caught up with Ross Crichton, the brains behind the rally and one who likes to keep a low profile.
He shared the background story of the whole incident with great enthusiasm. Even before the beginning of what the Cape 1000 has become today, he told the story of how he wanted to start a rally of events that benefited charity, which ended up back in 2003 under the banner of Cannonball Run Africa.
The winner of that year’s rally drove a Nissan X-Trail. In the second year, it was a VW Kombi. It’s not a great lineup that you see today, but the journey that Ross has taken is a lot of hard work.
Arthur Abraham, the brainchild behind the Kreepy Krauly March 83G car Group C that Sarel van der Merwe and Graeme Duxbury raced, encouraged Ross to turn to sports cars – a tale from the crypt, a sign of the story to come from this.
I kept scratching for tickets to join. Of course, it’s always somewhere. (Your subtle request has been heard, Brent – Ed.)
For those who want to see the cavalcade of classic and vintage cars taking part, registration day is in the Silo District at the V&A Waterfront on Sunday, March 19. See you soon!