By Nangamso Mabindla
31 July 2007

BHISHO may have been at a standstill, but the cars taking part in the African Heritage Cross Country motor rally certainly were not idle.

The rally set off from the Buffalo City town on Friday, 27 July to rapturous applause from a crowd braving the cold weather to see the start of the international event.

The African Heritage Cross Country is round two of the FIA Cross Country World Cup, and is being run in conjunction with the Amathole 500, which itself is round five of the Absa Off Road Championship.

It is sponsored by Absa, with entrants from as far afield as Europe coming to test the best the African terrain has to offer. Speaking at the start of the rally, the MEC for recreation, sports, arts and culture, Noxolo Abrahams-Ntantiso, said she was proud that Eastern Cape had been chosen to host the event.

"We have just hosted a big game between traditional football rivals Kaiser Chiefs and Orlando Pirates; now we are chosen to host this international event. This proves that we are ready to host international events."

She said the African Heritage Cross Country was one of the biggest events ever hosted by the province.

"We are thrilled to host this event and I'm told that there are more vehicles participating than last year. I also want to take this opportunity to thank the municipalities for the role they have played in bringing this rally to our province. I would also like to thank the sponsors for the role they have played in ensuring that this is a successful event."

Abrahams- Ntantiso declared the race had begun at 12 noon. It ends in Bisho on Tuesday, 31 July.