A total of 41 teams participated in the first Cape Mystery Rally in the Franschhoek and Paarl area on Sunday 14 August. The event was hosted by the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ).
Leading the teams from the Franschhoek Motor Museum was a pristine 1968 Renault R8 Gordini as a fitting tribute to the King of Paarlberg, Hennie Mostert. Gordon’s Bay-based Elzaan Mostert, daughter of Hennie, used all her local knowledge in planning the 95 km route that entrants had to navigate, while finding answers to the numerous riddles and questions included in the cryptic schedule.
Wayne Harley, curator of the Franschhoek Motor Museum, started each team at two-minute intervals, but by the time they reached the first stop at Glen Carlou restaurant it was pretty much each for their own. The teams visited, among others, the Drakenstein Lion Park, Spice Route, Taalmonument and Krönenburg Estate, all while keeping their “baby” (a chicken egg) intact for the 95 km journey.
Passing by the Jan Phillips Mountain Drive reminded of the legendary Paarl Hill climb and the many special stages that tested competitors young and old.
Ewold and Minota-Ann van Bergen from Langebaan became the first to be inducted into the SAGMJ Hall of Fame for their exemplary achievements in South African motor sport; their respective awards presented by Carl Wepener (SAGMJ president) and Dirk Gallowitz (SAGMJ chairperson).
Although the event itself was meant to be fun, the inevitable desire to win saw everyone try extremely hard to unravel each mystery, and given the extremely close result in points everyone should now be experts on what makes the Franschhoek Valley special!
Colin Greyvenstein and Megan Woodward were the eventual winners in their Crankhandle Club 1963 Jaguar MkII 3.8, followed by Mark and Benita Palmer in second, and Erik and Retha Marais in third.
Stellenbosch couple Leon and Monique Engelbrecht performed brilliantly in their Hyundai N1 City Kona N, spending the entire day disguised as Stig.
The event ended with a fundraising auction at Krönenburg, home of former Paarl motor-sport legend Jurgen zu Bentheim, and the response by all means another mystery rally next year.
