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SA Landys smash world convoy record

The inaugural Landy Festival was held near the Vaal River recently where fans had gathered to set a record for the world's longest convoy of Land Rovers.

The festival was held at the Malonjeni Guest Farm near Vereeniging near the Vaal River over March 3/4, 2012, where, in a test of patience, 1001 Land Rovers completed a 27km convoy in two hours. They beat the previous record by a huge 653 vehicles.  

Land Rovers arrived from all over South Africa as well as from Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and Namibia. The oldest was Rick Mason’s 1949 Series 1 - one of the world's oldest Land Rovers given that production only started in 1948 - that had been used as a workhorse in the timber plantations of the Natal Midlands.  

RECORD FIRST

The event’s main purpose was to set a world record for the most Land Rovers on parade but the festival included a number of events to keep the crowds entertained.

One such event was the Pimp my Landy competition where those pre-registered for the world-record attempt were automatically entered into a draw to win R67 000 worth of Land Rover accessories. Winner Ulrich Niehaus had his “virgin” Defender kitted out on the day.

Other events were the “Bush Mall” for those who needed to stock up on gear and a display by the Gabriel Wings Aerobatic Team.

Following the weekend of camping and revelry, organisers will now submit data, video and picture evidence to the Guinness Book of World Records for the record to be ratified.

TWO RECORD SUBMISSIONS

Event organiser Craig Dutton has, however, also decided to apply for the record of the highest number of Land Rovers officially gathered.

Before the convoy set off, 1007 vehicles has been officially recorded in the holding area although, since one car didn’t start, three crashed into one another and a further two dropped out along the way, only 1001 completed the course.

Land Rover South Africa marketing director Roland Reid was flabbergasted. “I am absolutely staggered by the number of people. You won’t see this number of Land Rover people and Land Rovers together again, unless of course we do it again next year.”
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