Brits smash London to Cape Town driving record

Adventurer Mac Mackenney led the team which beat the overland driving record, which has stood for almost 50 years, by nearly two days.

They took their Land Rover Discovery off-roader through 20 countries in 11 days, 14 hours and 11 minutes in aid of Help For Heroes.

The three man team of Mac Mackenney, his brother Steve Mackenney and Chris Rawlings, started from the RAC Club in London’s Pall Mall on October 16 and arrived at the AA building in the centre of Cape Town at 11.29 BST on October 28.

The attempt was also supported by two patrons, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, OBE and Sir Stirling Moss OBE.

Sir Stirling said: “Congratulations to Mac, Steve and Chris for breaking the 47-year-old London to Cape Town record, an outstanding achievement by three adventurers who pushed the boundaries of driving endurance and won.”

The original 1963 record was set by Eric Jackson and Ken Chambers in a Ford Cortina GT and Eric, who is now retired, said: “I know how difficult the trip is and I have great admiration for Mac and the team and whilst I’d like to have kept the record for a lot longer I am delighted for Mac, Steve and Chris.”