The 2019 Vintage Veteran Club (VVC) International DJ Motorcycle Rally kicked-off last Friday and served its own unique flavours just as those preceding it.
The two-day rally, which commemorates the annual motorcycle road race between Durban and Johannesburg which took place from 1913 to 1936, started in Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal, and ended in Germiston at the Classic Motorcycle Clubhouse (CMC).
Although the number of entrants was low compared to previous years, a total of 80 entries were received and about 75 riders ultimately set off from the coast to the city on day one, 15 first-timers joined.
The newcomers were in good company with seasoned riders such as Gavin Walton and Kevin Robertson once again taking part.
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This year the event also made provisions for international motorcycle enthusiasts William Gilmore and Mark Ward from the USA, as well as Les Youngman from the United Kingdom.
A mixture of roadblocks and unscheduled events made for a colourful race, but this year’s participants were not easily discouraged and took the challenges in their stride.
The DJ was comprised of three groups, namely the 50km, 60km and 70km.
Riders set off from the Colony Shopping Centre in Hillcrest at 7.30am with the first racers reaching the stopover point, Majuba Lodge in Newcastle, just after 3pm.
Day two saw the participants once again hit the road early for the long haul to Germiston.
Gavin Walton, who previously won the 2009, 2017 and 2018 races, was the first across the finish line on his 1936 500cc AJS.
He had the lowest score of 179 points on the first day and second lowest error at control points on the second day with 71 points, for a total of 250 points.
In second place was Martin Davis, riding a 1930 500cc Sunbeam, with a total of 352 points.
He had 299 points and the lowest score of 53 points on the second day.
Velocette enthusiast Kevin Robertson, who rode a 1936 MSS model, finished with a score of 395 points, clinching third place.
Eighty-two-year-old Robertson also collected an award for competing in the most DJ rallies, competing in 29 since his first in 1958.
Robertson won his first DJ in 1990, and was a clerk of the course for five years in addition to competing, adding his active years in the DJ to 34.
“Carol Freeman, the daughter of John Lind, the 1929 DJ winner, joined us for our prize-giving breakfast on Sunday morning at the VVC Hall,” said Ian Holmes, representative of VVC.
“She was joined by Lind’s grandson, Mark Freeman.
“They were present to handover the magnificent Schlesinger Vase, which Lind held 90 years ago, to this year’s winner.”
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Samantha Anderson, who rode a 1929 500cc AJS and placed 33rd overall, received an award for the best performance by a woman rider, while Derek Marsden, who rode a 1930 500cc BSA Sloper and placed 25th overall, received an award for the best performance by a first-time rider.
The remaining top 10 finishers were:
• In fourth Jaycee van Rooyen with 439 points
• In fifth Geoff Johnson with 457 points
• In sixth Mark Broady with 483 points
• In seventh Mike Ward with 488 points
• In eighth Ralph Pitchford with 526 points
• In ninth Peter Vlietstra with 548 points
• In 10th Martin Kaiser with 554 points
“Next year’s event is already being discussed and as it will be the 50th anniversary of the first Commemorative DJ Run, it is anticipated that entries will be strong,” said Holmes.
“So as soon as registrations are open, those wishing to participate should get in quickly.”
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