The Western Cape of South Africa will be the venue for a new, top-level motoring event to be held this October. To add flavour to the launch event in London, former World Champion Jody Scheckter treated the South African High Commissioner to a ‘lap’ of Mayfair in a 1952 Jaguar C-type.

The new rally will be a combination of regularity stages along spectacular sections of coastline, driving through the Franschhoek Pass and enjoying an ‘exclusive race day’ at the Killarney circuit. Event organiser, a freshly tanned and toned Chris Routledge, stressed the significance of the new, five-day tour:

“We’ve taken all the best bits from the world’s best events, such as the Mille Miglia, Tour Auto and Colorado Grand, and removed the worst,” he said, speaking at Bourdon House, the home of Alfred Dunhill in London.

“There’ll be no early starts. The entry fee [20,000 euros per car, for two people] will cover absolutely everything and includes Dunhill clothing, overalls and helmets for the track sessions, and a full programme of alternative, non-rally events for passengers.

"All you need to do is transport your car to South Africa and we’ll do the rest.” ‘The rest’ also includes full mechanical back-up so there will be no need for support crews to be flown over.

The significance of luxury brand Dunhill’s involvement is that the famous British name is one of a portfolio of companies owned by a driving force behind the project, Johann Rupert. Mr Rupert’s Franschhoek Motor Museum and Anthonij Rupert Wines (producer of the L’Ormarins range of whites) will play a central part in the 'Lormarins 1200'.

The event is open to ‘motor vehicles built between 1940 and 1970’ and limited to a maximum of 50 entries. 2010 will be the first of a five-year plan for the event, set to rival established European tours and rallies.

Reinforcing its importance to South African tourism, the country’s High Commissioner to London, His Excellency Dr Zola Skweyiya, was treated to first-hand experience of a likely Lormarins 1200 entry, the green C-type, driven by South Africa’s only Formula 1 World Champion, Jody Scheckter.

Scheckter took time off from a hectic business schedule which includes running the successful Laverstoke Park Farm, a British organic/biodynamic food company well-known for its high-quality, healthy foods.

In addition to the Jaguar, fascinated onlookers were treated to a pre-War 8C Alfa Romeo and an early-model, '14-louvre' Ferrari 250 GT ‘Tour de France’.

Text: Steve Wakefield
Photos: Classic Driver