Summarize

All is going to plan with three weeks to go before the inaugural Motul Retro Roof of Africa Rally in Lesotho and 38 confirmed entries and considering off-road racers are famous for leaving things to the last minute, organisers are confident that the entry list will grow significantly before the closing date for the 21 September race.

“The Motul Retro roof of Africa is an off road adventure that traverses 250 kilometres of one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in Africa,” route director Charan Moore confirmed. “The event celebrates those pioneering original 1970s and ‘80s Star Roof of Africa rallies and has attracted huge attention from the old school pining for that past and young guns keen to prove a point alike.

“Where in the world can one enjoy this privilege — like the legendary original, the Retro Roof will be one continuous route rather than the repetitive lap events modern off-road races have become, but it will not by any means be a walk in the park. “The route will take in roads, tracks and old donkey paths mostly in the Maluti Mountain lowlands and include original roads from the past including the infamous Don't Cough Pass. “In Lesotho, every road is a public road, but the race will be welcomed back to the Mountain Kingdom. 

Race instigator and competitor, former multiple SA off-road champion Buks Carolin added; "We want to restore the camaraderie that made the original Roof of Africa famous — when we race we race and afterwards we party as a family. “We want people to get away from their computers, tablets, cellphones and offices and just come and enjoy the freedom of Africa. “You can't do this anywhere in Europe or America…”

With the entry list starting to take shape, another of the organisers entering the race, John Moore is brimming with excitement as he and a fellow fierce competitor have teamed up to race his Chenowth Magnum special, while fellow original Roof of Africa racers include old school bikers Iain Pepper and Ian Kilburn; Glen Parker and Bodo Bertholdt have signed up for the Retro race.

Graham Maclachlan among the most experienced bikers entered, while on four wheels, local Lesotho brothers Keith and Andrew Makenete cannot wait for “a proper off road adventure” and the first car race in the Mountain Kingdom in over ten years. Organisers hope to attract at least 100 competitors to the Motul Retro Roof of Africa.

The Retro Roof will go down amid a carnival atmosphere at its base near Thaba Bosia on Friday with local merchandise, live music and a beer tent, before the traditional after race party, where competitors can mingle and share war stories. The event is a Motorsport South Africa sanctioned event and a special one day license is available through MSA at www.motorsport.co.za, while entry forms are available online at www.roofofafrica.co.ls.

“The Motul Retro Roof of Africa Rally will be the off-road racing event of 2019 — it may never happen again,” Buks Carolin warned in conclusion. “This race is being arranged and organised by a group of passionate off roaders — just for the love of the sport, so join us in Lesotho on Saturday 21 September — the Retro Roof is going to rock!”