MOTORING NEWS - Both Heritage Day and Tourism Month will be celebrated in grand style by a diverse group of car enthusiasts, when the Southern Cape Old Car Club's (SCOCC) Heritage Tour, proudly supported by Recollection Rides, hits the road from 23 to 26 September.
The tour party of 46 participants and 26 special vehicles – which includes one less-than-vintage backup vehicle – sets off from Halfway Toyota in George at 08:00 on Thursday, 23 September, after conclusion of the scrutineering process.
"We ensure that all the cars are roadworthy before departure," explains Heritage Tour organiser Pierre Olivier of the SCOCC, adding that some of the old ladies have truly perfected the art of cruising at leisure pace.
"Drivers are not required to stay in convoy, so are free to detour when it pleases them," he says. Olivier should by now know his fellow car fundis' wish lists, having participated in each of the eight Tours since the event's inception.
The backup car's purpose is to see that no one gets stuck on the side of the road with mechanical niggles, but scrutineering before departure minimises this risk, while also ensuring that SAVVA (Southern African Veteran and Vintage Association) regulations are met.
Whereas previous years' tourers traversed the expansive Karoo, with an overnight stop in Graaff Reinet – home of the headline sponsor's Recollection Rides Museum – this year's participants head southwest before leaving the beaten N2 track.
On 23 September the first stop after departing George will be Delish in Heidelberg before the cruise to Swellendam. The fleet will then turn towards the coast and overnight in the quaint village of Arniston.
Heritage Day on 24 September will be celebrated while passing through Baardskeerdersbos, Gansbaai, Caledon, Franschhoek and Villiersdorp, with Worcester the day's final destination.
This stretch of road will provide memorable vistas, as reaching the Overberg's administrative capital is only possible via some of the province's most spectacular mountain passes.
Lending added excitement to Heritage Day is that the Franschhoek experience will include a visit to the picturesque hamlet's automobile museum, with its extensive collection of antique and vintage cars and motorcycles.
On Saturday, 25 September the Heritage Tour departs Worcester for Montagu, Barrydale, and Calitzdorp before ending the day in Oudtshoorn with a gala evening and prize giving. On Sunday, the happy fleet returns to George via De Rust and Uniondale.
The SCOCC also organises the popular George Old Car Show, which takes place on 12 and 13 February next year. For more information, visit www.scocc.co.za.
'We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news'
