CAR partners with the Cape 1000 rally

A now foremost event on the calendars of motoring enthusiasts from around the world, with a confirmed 70 entries, this year’s Cape 1000 rally looks set to be one of the most spectacular to date. 

Cape 1000 rally

Image: Cape 1000

 The vision of Ross and Vanessa Crichton, the inaugural Cape 1000 rally saw a fleet of 40 classic, modern classic and sportscars take to impossibly scenic driving routes around the Western Cape, with a view to both promoting this beautiful part of the world, but also to showcase the level of passion and enthusiasm that local car enthusiasts, both spectators and owners, have for these types of cars.

In its fifth year of running, the entry list has grown to include 70 cars, with many participants arriving from overseas destinations to take part in what has become known as “South Africa’s most beautiful drive”.

While CAR participated in the 2025 instalment behind the wheel of the then-new Mercedes-AMG CLE 53, South Africa’s oldest and most established motoring publication will up the ante at this year’s Cape 1000 event by becoming the official media partner. Not content to cover the six-day event from behind a desk, editor Ian McLaren will be piloting a 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Pagoda, a vehicle that has won the modern 1000 Miglia, a celebration of the legendary Mille Miglia race in Italy and one of the events that inspired the creation of the Cape 1000.

Cape 1000 rally

Image: Cape 1000

“It’s a great privilege to be handed the keys to such an iconic car, and more so, to be able to drive it within a convoy of cars with similar levels of heritage,” said McLaren. “Perhaps the biggest difference, for me, when it comes to the rise in popularity of car brands from particularly China, is whether buyers can easily ignore the kind of proven engineering and respective history of success that so-called legacy brands enjoy. Each time I’ve been fortunate to drive a classic car from any brand, I come away with a better appreciation for the type of thinking and engineering that makes up the DNA of that brand.”

The 2026 Cape 1000 is once again sponsored by Private Clients by Old Mutual.

“For Private Clients, being present at an event like this isn’t just about sponsorship – it’s about shared values and partnership. The rally reflects the same principles we apply in our work: discipline, attention to detail, respect for legacy, and an appreciation for assets that stand the test of time. It’s this alignment that makes us proud to support an event that so authentically captures the thrill of the drive and the enduring beauty of automotive design,” said Sean Ashton, Head of Investments at Private Clients by Old Mutual.

Cape 1000 rally

Image: Cape 1000

This year’s Cape 1000 kicks off on Sunday, 15 March, with a “Show and Shine” event, which is open to the public, hosted at the Cape Town Hotel School in Mouille Point. Day 2 sees participants tour the Cape Town Peninsula, before the convoy heads in the direction of George on the third day.

Cape 1000 rally

Image: Cape 1000

Taking the form of a regulatory rally, which sees each team having to navigate carefully curated sections of the route in a prescribed time, Cape 1000 ends with a dinner and prize giving at the V&A Waterfront’s Silo District on Thursday, 19 March.

Follow CAR’s social media channels for regular updates throughout the event.

Click here to browse thousands of new and used vehicles here with CARmag!

The post CAR partners with the Cape 1000 rally appeared first on CAR Magazine.


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