The Continental Milligan Vintage Trial took place in the Garden Route this year and ended happily in rainy conditions after the third day was cancelled due to flooding and poor visibility.
After day one Neville and Susan Koch in their 1960 Riley (car no 24) with only 32 penalty points were first. They were followed by Colin and Susan Dettmann in a 1939 Chevrolet (car no 36)with 45 penalty points and third was Rodney Idris and Brian Clark in a 1949 Morris (car no 4) with 69 points. Two cars broke down on day 1 – car no 50, Barend van den Broek (from Holland) and Esra Martins (oldest competitor at 82) in a 1959 MG (crank problems) and car no 53, Robert and Maryke Middelman in a 1958 Chevrolet (carburettor problems)
“The tea stop was at Eight Bells Hotel at bottom of Robinson Pass, which was flooded a day later. The rally participants spent the afternoon in Oudtshoorn enjoying the sun,” says Continental spokesperson and rally participant Rene Olivier.
First on day two was Dave Alexander and Diane Dugmore (both well known in historical racing circles) in a 1932 Lagonda with 24 points. Second was Noel and Nelia Holmes in a 1970 Mercedes Benz with 49 points and third was Richard and Nicole Van Zummeren in a 1948 MG with 62 points.
“There was lots of excitement during day two. Barney Marais and Pierre Woeke in the 1916 Chevrolet (the oldest car) could have been second if they didn’t have a flat tyre which led to a 600 penalty points for being too late at a marshal point. They ended the day on 644 points.
“Barend van den Broek and Esra Martins’ 1959 MG, which broke down on day one, couldn’t be repaired. They did however manage to hire a car to carry on competing in the event but this vehicle had an electrical short just after leaving the tea stop yesterday and almost caught alight. They did manage to get everything under control and complete the day. The fault was repaired.”
The overall results after day two were not surprising – Dave Alexander and Di Dugmore in the 1932 Lagonda were first. Following them was Colin and Susan Dettman in their 1939 Chevrolet and third was Neville and Susan Koch in a 1960 Riley.
“Day three has been cancelled due to bad rain and many roads were closed off. On day four the weather cleared up enough for us to resume the Rally and we travelled to Herbertsdale with a tea stop in the NG Church Hall opposite the Police Station. It was still raining but visibility was much better than the day before,” explains Olivier
“Day four’s rallying took the old cars on the old George-Knysna road which was a very narrow and winding road. It was bumpy and in places gravel had washed onto the road’s surface. Definitely not a day to be outside,” she says.
Olivier adds, “The day four route also took the participants through Groot Brakrivier, Klein-Brakrivier and Hartenbos, where the sun finally came out and the Continental Milligan Vintage Trial could end another successful year of rallying.”
The overall winners of the Continental Milligan Vintage Trial were:
- Neville and Susan Koch in a 1960 Riley – with 190 penalty points
- Colin and Susan Dettman in their 1939 Chevrolet with 199 penalty points and
- Dave Alexander and Di Dugmore in the 1932 Lagonda with 213 penalty points.
The Continental Milligan Vintage Rally is presented by the Eastern Province Veteran Car Club in Port Elizabeth.
Alan Straton
Latest posts by Alan Straton (see all)
- Now I Understand Why Investing Is Not for the Faint of Heart - 2 November 2026
- LED-Lightbox Rental in Midrand Delivers, Sets up and Collects Light-up Letters, Numbers and Neon-Style Signs for Gauteng Weddings and Year-End Functions - 2 November 2026
- The Carpet Stain Remover That Leaves a Bigger Problem - 2 November 2026
- The Carpet Stain Remover That Leaves a Bigger Problem - 2 November 2026
- South African Conquers Rats on the World Stage - 30 October 2026
