For the first time in its novel history, CAR Magazine will be taking to the prestigious Cape 1000 which kicks off on Sunday! Mercedes-AMG has supplied the still-unreleased CLE 53 for our digital editor Alex Shahini and Sam Da Fonseca from TheCarScene to pilot around the Cape’s best roads.
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Unlike many of the regularity rallies that happen around the world, this one set in our own backyard offers participants a 1 000-mile (or approximately 1 600 km) journey through the Western Cape’s most picturesque landscapes. The 2025 rally will commence at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, with participants navigating through scenic routes that include stops in Hermanus and Franschhoek before returning to Cape Town. Each year, the organizers modify the routes to showcase different parts of the Western Cape, ensuring a unique experience for returning participants while retaining the picturesque scenery and world-class ribboned sections of mountain passes.
2025 Cape 1000 Event Schedule
The 2025 edition will span several days with a pre-planned route set through the Western Cape. With a sight to behold, the public is invited to see the dozens of classics and supercars on display at the Show & Shine event. Alternatively, here is the rest of the route plan.
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Sunday, March 16: Registration and a “Show & Shine” event at the Cape Town Hotel School in Mouille Point.
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Monday, March 17: The rally officially begins with drivers departing from Cape Town for Hermanus. Before leaving the Mother City, drivers will have a session at the Killarney Race Track and regularity challenges for the remainder of the journey.
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Tuesday, March 18: Participants journey from Hermanus to Franschhoek, culminating in a charity auction dinner and an after-party.
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Wednesday, March 19: A loop around Franschhoek, featuring regularity challenges and a cocktail party.
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Thursday, March 20: The final leg returns to Cape Town, concluding with an awards dinner at the V&A Waterfront’s Silo Precinct.
Limited by the number of entries allowed, the rally features four categories which accommodate a wide range of vehicles including: Classic (Pre-1976), Modern Classic (1977-1996), Sports (1997-current) and Restomod/Recreations. All of this was inspired by legendary endurance races such as the Mille Miglia and Targa Florio which occur in Italy, as well as other regularity rallies that happen abroad. The Cape 1000 serves as something similar and provides the experience for local and international drivers, only showcasing the beauty of South African roads instead of those in Europe. The inaugural event took place in 2022 and was quickly dubbed “South Africa’s Most Beautiful Drive” by participants and spectators. The Cape 1000 organisers further add that the rally not only emphasizes the joy of driving but also fosters camaraderie among participants and offers opportunities for charitable contributions.
Related: South Africa’s Best Driving Roads According to the CAR Team
Digital editor Alex Shahini and automotive influencer Sam Da Fonseca from TheCarScene will be piloting Mercedes-AMG’s unreleased CLE 53 for the extent of the journey. The underpinnings of the CLE essentially combine the C-Class Coupe and E-Class Coupe into a sleek model which is touted to retain the hallmarks of each. Arriving to the South African public in 2025, this will be the CLE 53’s first road appearance before it is available for purchase. Under the bonnet is a 3.0-liter inline-six turbocharged engine which is paired with a 48-volt EQ Boost mild hybrid system that churns out 330 kW and 560 N.m.
The all-paw AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system helps translate this power and twist which gets the coupe to 100 km/h from a standstill in 4.2 seconds. Not a one-trick pony for straight-line speed, the CLE 53 is also outfitted with an active rear-axle steering which should prove a boon when the tarmac starts twisting in the Cape’s taunting terrain. While Mercedes-Benz has not officially confirmed the exact launch date for the AMG CLE 53 in South Africa, the model is expected to be available shortly after the Cape 1000.
“We are thrilled to have Mercedes Benz South Africa joining us as a partner this year, and the exciting inclusion of their latest Mercedes Benz CLE 53 Coupe which will make its road debut on South Africa’s Most Beautiful Drive, driven by Alex from Car Magazine and Sam from TheCarScene, will test both man & machine.” – Vanessa Crichton, Event Organiser
Related: Consolidating 2 Into 1: Why The Mercedes-Benz CLE Exists
Before the drive kicks off, it is worth knowing what a regularity rally is! With roots in the early 20th century, regularity rallies have evolved into a type of motorsport event where precision and consistency are paramount. Unlike traditional races that prioritize speed, participants in a regularity rally aim to maintain a specified average speed over various sections of the route. Hidden checkpoints along the course monitor adherence to these time and speed targets. Penalties are assigned for arriving either early or late at these checkpoints, making the challenge one of accuracy rather than outright speed. This format allows drivers to enjoy the journey and scenery while testing their navigation and time-keeping skills.
Related: Cape 1000 Prelude Sets Stage For A Grand Tour
The Cape 1000 is committed to giving back to the community. Beneficiaries of the event include the Motorsport Legends Benevolent Fund, which supports individuals in the motorsport community facing hardships, and the QuadPara Association of South Africa (QASA), dedicated to assisting persons with spinal cord injuries and physical disabilities.
Said Crichton: The event kicks off with a Show & Shine at the Cape Town Hotel School, Mouille Point this Sunday 16th March from 14h00-16h30 which is open to the public and free to attend. The Cape 1000 has established itself as a “must do” rally and has even attracted a number of international entries. We look forward to sharing our passion for motoring with everyone whether you like classic cars or sports cars and everything in between, the Cape 1000 has something for everyone!
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