A BRIEF HISTORY...
Between October and December 1998, some 200 people in 31 historic cars and fifty 4x4s took part in HERO’s first long distance rally, the London - Cape Town Classic Reliability Trial and 4x4 Adventure Drive.
Along the way, they enjoyed a new kind of event. For the classic cars, it was certainly a tough endurance test - one whose emphasis was on reliability and regularity of timekeeping rather than on out-and-out speed - but it also gave competitors time to stop and enjoy some of the world’s great sights and experiences.
For the 4x4 crews, it offered the chance to drive through Africa enjoying the independence of their own vehicle, but along a carefully planned route and under the umbrella of a thorough organisation. Frontier crossings in particular, normally the bane of African travel, were exceptionally trouble free, thanks to the groundwork put in by Lord Steel and John Brown’s team.
Most of those who took part had no previous experience of overland driving in Africa, or of motor rallies of any kind. Many were in their fifties, sixties and even seventies. All but two 4x4s and three classic cars made it to Cape Town, and most of their crews got there by other means.
The route included many unforgettable experiences. Participants traversed snow-covered mountain passes in Europe, back roads in Turkey and desert tracks in the Middle East. After an airlift into East Africa, they drove through the teeming game parks in eastern and southern Africa, crossed the arid remote landscapes of Namibia, and passed through some of South Africa’s most superb scenery.
On the way, they visited some of the world’s great places: Istanbul, the troglodyte rocks of Cappadocia, the Krak des Chevaliers, Petra, the Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Malawi, Victoria Falls, the dunes at Sossusvlei, the Cape Peninsula. They floated on the Dead Sea and snorkelled in the Red Sea. Some opted to bungee-jump at Victoria Falls and ride by hot air balloon over the Serengeti.
At the end, the verdict was overwhelming: it had indeed been the Drive of a Lifetime!
At the Finish, a ‘Declaration of Intent’ was presented to John Brown, the Rally Director: ‘The undersigned hereby declare their intention to participate in a classic/4x4 car rally through South America organised by HERO under the leadership of John Brown'. It was signed by 105 people.
The Inca Trail is the result of that vote of confidence in HERO’s style of event, and in our organising team.
Last modified 7 May 1999