NEWS
The Western Cape branch of the Four Wheel Drive Club
of Southern Africa recently celebrated its 40th birthday
with a weekend rally at the Hollandsche Molen.
The club was formed in the 1970s when a number of
friends and enthusiasts gathered on weekends to drive
dunes and dongas. Any vehicle was welcome back then,
but over time the guys with 4WD vehicles began to look
for encreasingly challenging playgrounds, and what with
the camping and socialising, a club was started. Today,
there are branches all over Southern Africa.
Some of the highlights include the emergence of the
Off-Road Rescue Unit – a volunteer group consisting
largely of club members who assist authorities when
rescue efforts are in difficult terrain. They have already
saved several lives.
At the birthday celebrations, several club members –
from six months to 80 years old – got together and had a
great time. There were also seven former club chairmen
at the event and two of the club’s founders related a
little more about the club’s origins – complete with a
slideshow. The club also entertained its major sponsor- Toyota SA. This manufacturer plays a big role in the
Atlantis Dunes Fun Day that the club has been running
for the past 13 years.
Toyota was looking for a site in 2006 to launch one of
its new 4x4 vehicles, and the club’s committee proposed
the Atlantis Dunes. After a very successful day there,
the idea for a fun day came to be... since then there has
been no turning back. It will be held again on 12 October
thisyear.
Off-roaders celebrate their 40th
THE MEN BEHIND THE WHEEL Previous club chairpersons include (from the left) Johan
Marais, Charl Kruger, Gerhard Buitenhals, Schalk Louw, Frans Stander, Roy van Schoor (the
founder and first chairperson) and Fred Bartens.18 | September 2019 go! Drive & Camp