Contact - March 1978 - Article re. "JJ" Hughes - ' ...Henry Ford had always acknowledged the value of competition motoring in improving product and "JJ" considered it an excellent means of further demonstrating Ford's tough and dependable qualities to prospective customers. "JJ" helped organise the first ever event on record - a high speed trial between Nairobi and Nakuru which was won, not be an Irishman but a wily Scot, Kenneth McIvor driving a Model T Ford. In a 'dry' race he covered the distance which was  then approximately 113 miles, in 3 hours, 56 minutes and 58 seconds and finished over half an hour ahead of other rival makes which included Rolls Royce Overland, Dodge and Hupmobile.

To give an idea of the conditions, you have to imagine a cross-country route on roads which were little better than game paths, running approximately 20 miles to the south of the existing road. Some part of the success might well be attributed to his co-driver, Henry Tarlton, a distinguished jockey who apparently had no trouble sitting astride the T's bonnet pouring water into the radiator while on the move. Henry was also an expert navigator, his particular forte being an ability to distinguish between farm tracks and the so-called main road. …….

Within three months of that first event, Ken McIvor had modified his race winning T by fitting the well-proven Frontenac overhead valve conversion to the 2.9 four cylinder engine and modifying the body. Other features added subsequently included the Ruckstall axle which in effect provided two extra gears, a Cox Atoms carburettor and coil/distributor ignition. By the time he had finished the T would do 5 to 40 m.p.h. in 15 seconds with a top speed of 60 m.p.h.!

Gazette 5/4/2938 - Honorary Game Warden

Red 25 has Kenneth McIvor & Co., Motor Cars & Accessories, Box 97, Nairobi

Drove a car in first 'Safari' from Nairobi to Cape Town and back.