Bandit 500 - The Return To Hakskeenpan

Unfortunately with all the Covid-19 lockdown rules and regulations, the 2020 Hot Rod Rumble had to be cancelled.

- Victor Venter

This meant that there was a possibility, for the first time since 2012, we would not have our annual pilgrimage to the pan. That would have been a disaster as 2021 is our 10th anniversary and without 2020 this would not be possible. But, as always, we had an ace up our sleeve and the BANDIT 500 was back on.

We gathered the Northern Cape Road Bandits® only (thanks to Covid rules) and set out on a journey through the Kalahari Desert to the “fastest pan” in South Africa. Sticking with tradition, the Road Bandits dressed up for the occasion on the first leg of the 500km trip. This year’s theme was your favourite band or singer. We had a Gene Simmons, Marshmello and even a Cyndi Lauper.

There were a few pit stops along the way – boerewors cooked over coals and a lot of laughter. We managed to reach our destination in a record time of 6 hours. We set up camp at Rietfontein in style with fully serviced chalets and glamping tents. The fires were lit and we talked the night in anticipation for our return to the pan where it had all begun in 2012.

After an awesome breakfast and a few “adjustments” to some of the vehicles, we were ready and it was not long before the procession of self-proclaimed “Hotrodders” began spilling out onto Hakskeenpan in anticipation for something that they had been waiting an entire year for. As is tradition, we had a one mile speed track and a 1/8 mile drag race track marked out.