Entries for The Cape 1000 rally, South Africa’s premier regularity event, are now open for 2026. The four-day rally, covering 1 600 km across the Western Cape, draws on the legacy of global tribute races. Registration will officially open on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 12:00 PM.
Since its inception in 2022, The Cape 1000 has become a standout event for the local calendar, which sees modern and classic cars venturing out on some of South Africa’s most beautiful landscapes. There are four categories for vehicle entries: Pre-1976 (Classic), 1977–1996 (Modern Classic), 1997–current (Sports), and Restomod / Recreation. While there is a limited category for supercars, the event mainly focuses on older, rarer models. Past rallies have seen vehicles like a 1935 Bentley Derby Special, a 1958 Corvette Stingray SWC, a 1966 Sunbeam Tiger, and a 1973 Ferrari Dino. Cape 1000 Rally Green Lit For 2026 – Entries Open on Thursday
Related: Mile High Club – 2025 Cape 1000
The 2026 event kicks off on Sunday, March 15, 2026, with the Show and Shine at the Cape Town Hotel School. From there, the rally will wind through the Cape Peninsula, with stops at Fancourt and Hermanus, before concluding at the Silo Precinct at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town on Thursday, March 19, 2026. The event will continue to feature grand touring but with a greater emphasis on regularity rallying, combining precision driving with the chance to take in breathtaking scenery.
CAR Magazine Digital Editor Alex Shahini recounts his experience from the 2025 edition behind the wheel of a Mercedes-AMG CLE 53: “We may have ventured out on some of those sumptuous stretches of ribboned Cape tarmac for previous editions of the CAR Shootout, but being in the presence with dozens of priceless classic and modern cars ups the ante, and is a welcome into the mile high club. This certainly isn’t an occasion that will leave my memory very soon.”
Participants can expect world-class accommodations and plenty of opportunities for socialising with fellow car enthusiasts. The event also supports charities like the Motorsport Legends Benevolent Fund and the QuadPara Association of South Africa (QASA). With limited spots and high demand, early registration is encouraged.
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