‘The Cousin’ goes cross country racing

Joining Rutherford in the cockpit of the Imperial Automotive Nissan Navara will be comedy favourite Barry ‘The Cousin’ Hilton. They will take on the cream of the crop in the Production Vehicle category in the Celebrity Challenge, with Hilton following in the footsteps of the likes of rapper Jack Parow, cricketer Jonty Rhodes, rugby star Stefan Terblanche, model Roxy Louw and Idols star Heinz Winckler.

Hilton, an old-school comedian, has been a favourite in South Africa for three decades with an act that is intelligent, topical and very funny. He recently received a Lifetime Achievement accolade at the third Comics Choice Awards in South Africa, and is the only local performer to have performed at the ‘Harrahs Improv’ at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.

Zimbabwe-born Hilton, who has opened for comedy greats like Billy Connolly and Bob Monkhouse, is also the first South African to have appeared at London’s Comedy Store. Next year Hilton will open the Hong Kong 2014 Comedy Festival, followed by appearances in Singapore, Macau and Shanghai.

“Barry is a serious motorsport enthusiast and we thought it would be appropriate for him to be the final competitor in this year’s Imperial Automotive Celebrity Challenge,” said South African National Off Road Racing marketing executive Terence Marsh. “Archie has had a great time with the celebrities who have played a major role in spreading the cross country racing message across a wider spectrum, but this is going to be a memorable occasion for him.

“Barry will also provide entertainment at the prize giving, and that guarantees we put up the ‘house full’ signs with a very funny night ahead.”

Race headquarters, the start/finish and designated service point for will all be located at the Kloof Country Club in Glenharvie.

The 60 kilometre qualifying race to determine grid positions will start at noon on November 22. The race will be run over two loops of 170 kilometres and will start at 8.30am on November 23.