Heritage Day (September 24) and Tourism month will be celebrated in grand style this year by a diverse group of car enthusiasts when the Southern Cape Old Car Club’s (SCOCC) Heritage Tour, proudly supported by Recollection Rides, hits the road from September 23 – 26.
The tour party will include 46 participants, 26 special vehicles, and one vintage backup vehicle. The group will set off from Halfway Toyota in George at 8am on Thursday 23, after the conclusion of the scrutineering process.
“We ensure that all the cars are roadworthy before departure,” explains Heritage Tour organiser, Pierre Olivier of the SCOCC, adding that some of the ‘old ladies’ have truly perfected the art of cruising at a leisure pace. “Drivers are not required to stay in convoy, so are free to detour when it pleases them,” he adds.
The purpose of the backup car is to ensure that nobody gets stuck on the side of the road due to mechanical complications, and thorough scrutineering before departure minimizes this risk while also ensuring that SAVVA (Southern African Veteran and Vintage Association) regulations are met.
Previous years’ tourers traversed the expansive Karoo with an overnight stop in Graaff Reinet, home of the headline sponsor’s ReCollection Rides Museum. However, this year’s participants will head southwest before leaving the beaten N2 track.
On September 23, the first stop after departing George will be Delish in Heidelberg before cruising along to Swellendam. The fleet will then turn towards the coast and overnight in the quaint village of Arniston.
Heritage Day on September 24 will be celebrated, passing through Baardskeerdersbos, Gansbaai, Caledon, Franschhoek, and Villiersdorp, with Worcester being the day’s final destination. This route not only provides mesmerising views, but also as drivers reach the Overberg’s administrative capital, it unlocks the province’s most spectacular mountain passes for a memorable time.
Heritage Day will also provide a Franschhoek experience that includes a visit to the picturesque hamlet’s automobile museum, with its collection of antique and vintage cars and motorcycles.
On Saturday, September 25, the Heritage Tour departs Worcester for Montagu, Barrydale, and Calitzdorp before ending the day in Oudtshoorn with a gala evening and prize giving.
On Sunday, the petrolhead party will return to George via De Rust and Uniondale.
Did you know the SCOCC also hosts the popular George Old Car Show, which takes place on February 12 and 13 next year?
For more information on this awesome event, visit www.scocc.co.za.
Picture: Supplied
