The Great Train Race

The Great Train Race Reliving the race that made history!
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The Great Train Race is a live re-enactment in South Africa celebrating vintage travel, inspired by the legendary 1930 contest between a Bentley and Le Train Bleu.

27 September 2025 | Heidelberg

Where heritage meets horsepower!Motul Classic and FFM Distributors are heading to George for the SCOCC 2026 George Old C...
14/02/2026

Where heritage meets horsepower!

Motul Classic and FFM Distributors are heading to George for the SCOCC 2026 George Old Car Show today, a gathering that honours craftsmanship, chrome, and the machines that shaped motoring history.

From pre-war precision to post-war power, this is where classic engineering takes centre stage and where the right oils keep legends moving.

If you’re passionate about preservation, performance, and the golden age of motoring, we’ll see you there until 5pm.

The wheels are officially in motion for The Great Train Race 2026!We’ve recently wrapped up a strategic session with our...
25/01/2026

The wheels are officially in motion for The Great Train Race 2026!

We’ve recently wrapped up a strategic session with our marketing team and trust us, if you thought 2025 was impressive, you’re in for one unforgettable ride in 2026.

Keep an eye on our social media pages for key updates and announcements. You don’t want to miss a second of it! 🚂

21/11/2025

The dust has settled, but the echoes of steam and speed still linger in Heidelberg.

With a record number of participants and outstanding ticket sales, The Great Train Race delivered 2025 delivered its biggest celebration of South African heritage.

From the Monte Carlo start to the sound of bagpipes at the convergence, every moment was one for the history books.

A heartfelt thank you to every spectator, collector, guest and crew member who made this a day to remember.

Every corner of The Great Train Race 2025 was a celebration of engineering excellence!The Great Train Race 2025 brought ...
27/10/2025

Every corner of The Great Train Race 2025 was a celebration of engineering excellence!

The Great Train Race 2025 brought together a roaring lineup of rolling legends, vintage motorcycles, classic cars, and aircraft that turned the sky into part of the spectacle.

Thanks to every enthusiast, club, and pilot who helped turn the Heidelberg Railway Station into a theatre of motion.

The Great Train Race 2025 wasn’t just a celebration of speed and steam, it was a stage for legends.The Staccatos, South ...
23/10/2025

The Great Train Race 2025 wasn’t just a celebration of speed and steam, it was a stage for legends.

The Staccatos, South Africa’s longest-running rock band, had the crowd singing along to every beat. Bernice West brought a voice that stopped people in their tracks. And with the powerful rhythm of the gumboot dancers echoing across the station, the day pulsed with energy and heritage.

Meanwhile, our VIP guests enjoyed front-row views of the action and flavour-packed meals prepared by The Culinary Table.

The convergence was a moment where history pulled into the station and where time stood still! The Rovos Rail steam trai...
18/10/2025

The convergence was a moment where history pulled into the station and where time stood still!

The Rovos Rail steam train pulled out of Monte Carlo later than expected, needing thousands of litres of water to build steam the traditional way.

The platform was already packed, shoulder to shoulder, as thousands lined the tracks, buzzing with anticipation, while camera crews and media teams stood, every lens focused.

The Bentley led the Dirty Dozen, vintage motorcycles followed, overhead biplanes in the sky and the steam train entered the station, everything met in perfect motion with the sound of bagpipes at the Heidelberg Railway station.

On 27 September 2025, The Great Train Race began in true vintage style.Starting at Monte Carlo racing to Heidelberg, the...
17/10/2025

On 27 September 2025, The Great Train Race began in true vintage style.

Starting at Monte Carlo racing to Heidelberg, the legendary Bentley and Rovos steam train lined up with the Dirty Dozen, ready to start with the re-enactment.

We privileged to have Mercia Jansen, Motul Area Manager in Eastern and Southern Africa, dropping the handkerchief. Engines roared and steam rose, marking the official start of The Great Train Race 2025.

Thank you for all our Dirty Dozen participants for participating and making this race even more spectacular:
- Murray Dell, 1930 Bentley
- Charles Goodman, 1919 Vauxhall
- Michael (Nols) Fonternel, 1922 Bugatti
- Richard AJ Currie, 1924 Vauxhall
- Shawn Spaan, 1925 Citroen Torpedo
- Brian Rowling, 1928 Ford
- Theo Stander, 1928 Ford
- Charles Gardiner, 1928 Chevrolet
- Eric Coetsee, 1930 Ford
- Johan Fleischer, 1936 Norton
- Glenn Wort, 1931 Ford
- Mandy Kloppers, 1934 Ford
- Joyce Le Roux, 1937 Citroen
- Bevan Beckmann, 1947 Harley Davidson
- Jacquie Pastor, 2012 Ural Sidecar

From the rumble of engines to the roar of applause, none of it would be possible without the people who keep the wheels ...
13/10/2025

From the rumble of engines to the roar of applause, none of it would be possible without the people who keep the wheels turning behind the scenes.

We’re proud to thank our incredible partners and sponsors, Paysure Brokers, Motul, and Arete Group, for backing The Great Train Race 2025 and helping us celebrate vintage heritage in true South African style.

Here’s to partnerships that power history in motion.

10/10/2025

Day 13 of The Great Tour 2025!

Today we travelled 298 km from Graaff-Reinet to Bethulie, home to the longest railway bridge in South Africa. Along the way, one of the Austin Healeys gave us a few challenges, but as always, teamwork and a bit of roadside laughter kept the wheels turning.

The day ended with plenty of smiles and a few dance moves that clearly still need a lot of work!

Tomorrow, we set off for the beautiful Clarens, before wrapping up this unforgettable tour on Sunday in Heidelberg.

09/10/2025

Day 12 of The Great Tour 2025!

Today was a well-deserved rest day in Graaff-Reinet. While some of the group spent the day fixing and servicing their vehicles, others explored The Valley of Desolation, the product of volcanic and erosive forces of nature over 100 million years.

We also caught up with Yuvi Jasti, who shared some insight into how the vehicles have been performing since leaving Franschhoek.

Tomorrow, the engines roar back to life as we make our way to Bethulie, our 10th stop on the tour.

09/10/2025

Day 11 of The Great Tour 2025!

Yesterday’s 282 km stretch took us through the heart of the Karoo, from De Rust to the beautiful town of Graaff-Reinet.

We just had to stop in Willowmore at Kapoet for their legendary koeksisters and great coffee.

Along the way, we caught up with Henry Biddlecom, who shared stories about his Vincent and his incredible journey on the tour, a true reminder of the passion that keeps vintage wheels turning.

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Heidelberg

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+27825602275

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