Over a thousand Hilux bakkies gathered at Nampo to attempt a number of official and unofficial records.
Image: Jason Woosey
The Toyota Hilux is South Africa’s most popular vehicle by a considerable margin, but to many owners it’s a lot more than just a workhorse.
This became apparent in a large parking lot adjoining the Nampo trade show in Bothaville on Wednesday, when around 1,925 Hilux bakkies congregated with the aim of breaking a quartet of Guinness World Records.
There was no shortage of gees as our media contingent rolled into the parking lot in a small convoy of very muddy Hilux Legend 55s that we’d driven to the event after a very early start. Muddy because Google Maps had taken us on some very interesting dirt paths in a bid to save us from the long queues that led to the venue, which is known as the largest agricultural show in the Southern Hemisphere.
Music was blaring as Hilux owners from all walks of life paced up and down in keen anticipation of the record attempts and the chance to win a new-generation Hilux.
There were some really old bakkies in attendance, too, including fourth-generation models from the 1980s, and there was no shortage of modified bakkies. But perhaps the most impressive in terms of its credentials was David Bierman’s 2002 3.0-litre double cab, which has 1.5 million kilometres on its clock, with the original engine and gearbox.
With Guinness officials on hand, four world record attempts were made, these being most car doors closed simultaneously, most pick-up tailgates closed simultaneously, most car horns sounded simultaneously and most cars switching on their lights simultaneously.
However, the Guinness verification process is not a simple one, and at the time of writing the records had not been officially recognised.
Yet regardless of how that pans out, the attendees broke an unofficial record for the most Toyota Hilux bakkies gathered in one place, beating the previous New Zealand record of 1,440. And what’s not to love about beating the Kiwis at something?
Speaking of winning, Hilux owner Hendrik JJ Coetzee became the proud owner of a new-generation Hilux bakkie following a raffle that was held at the event.
IOL Motoring