London to Cape Town Final Report
from Colin Haynes, Editor of www.CARtoday.com
A total of 79 crews from the 81 starters crossed the finish ramp at the Waterfront in Cape Town on Tuesday night (1st December) having completed an arduous 11500 mile journey across three continents and through more than twenty countries.
The last week of the event saw a long competitive run through the Namib Desert and inland over numerous mountain passes.
Long time leader, John Bayliss, whose Mustang engine had given up the ghost, managed to source a new engine in Windhoek and fit it in 12 hours. Alastair Caldwell picked up a maximum at a regularity timing point after suffering fuel pump problems and thus lost his Gold Medal.
The majority of the field camped overnight at Sesreim and a number took the opportunity of the optional excursion to the dunes at Sossusvlei.
The route then passed through the northern Cape to the sea side resort of Lambert's Bay. This was followed by a final run through the Cederberge Mountains to Cape Point where the classic cars were reunited with the 4 x 4s for lunch before the final run in along the magnificent coastal road to Cape Town.
On their arrival on the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront the cars were greeted by a large crowd of wellwishers together with a band and a choir of schoolchildren. In order to properly recognise the outstanding achievement of the competitors in completing the event, the organisers decided to relax the medal criteria. As a result of this three gold, six silver and two bronze medals were awarded.
At the prize giving on Wednesday the Patron's Trophy, presented by Lord Montagu of Beaulieu and voted for by the participants on the event, was awarded to Peter and Betty-Ann Banham who had worked so hard to keep so many on the road.
'Capers' - the story of the 1998 London to Cape Town Classic Reliability Trial and 4x4 Adventure Drive as told by the participants themselves - now available to purchase from HERO.
Links to other reports:-
Daily Telegraph reports are individually linked with special permission; alternatively you can start at the front page of the Telegraph:-
Other London to Cape Town Websites
Last modified 28 May 1999