Getting a show like the Put Foot Rally on the road (no pun intended) is a classic case study in managing of events. At least two months of slogging on the part of a small, dedicated team led by the redoubtable founder, Darryn Hillhouse, culminates in Registration Day. For 2019, this is at Ou Skip camp, Melkbosstrand, a suburb of Cape Town which is the starting line of the Rally scheduled from 4.30 am to 6 am tomorrow.
Before going to register, we have the formalities of vehicle hire agreements with Bushlore. Clyde has been in constant touch and now has put us in the loop with Mike and Henry of the Cape Town office. Henry arrives at 6.30 to collect us and this, apparently, is normal working hours here. At the Bushlore garage near the airport, we see our home, work and play space for the next twenty or so days. The Toyota Landcruiser 70, modified to take the camp equipment on board, has done 138100 km before we get custody. Paperwork and briefing done, we do the inspection and demonstrations and we are off to Melkbosstrand.
A colourful atmosphere at camp. Registration stalls handle the participants briskly. Cars, jeeps and vans of different models, vintage, colours and decorations. People from different countries in their crew uniforms exchange news and views. Veterans greet each other as long lost friends. First timers are eager to get expert views. With rally stickers on, the people and the vehicles stand christened.
Time for the briefing. The unofficial board of veterans is on stage with Nick, Gordon and Jenny describe different aspects of this stupendous migration of men (and women) and machine through the southern countries of the continent. And then the founder, Darryn, is invited on stage to declare the Put Foot Rally 2019 open. He does with his usual aplomb and self-deprecating humour. Make no mistake: this former special forces man is tough as nuts. There a few who have crossed him and he can be nasty if any act of omission or commission brings disrepute to the Put Foot family.
Dinner, a few tots of Jamieson at the bar, some music and it is time to sleep. Early start and long drive, for most, to the Namibian Border leaves no allowance for late partying. The theme of Put Foot Rally is
‘The Road Goes On
‘And the Party Never Ends
iPIi 