Springs resident makes history at DJ Rally
However, in 1970, Dick Osborne, a racing legend, was able to persuade a group of motorcycling enthusiasts to organise and establish a DJ Rally which would serve as a commemoration of this fabled race.
Springs resident Gavin Walton made history at the DJ Rally on March 16 when he became the first competitor to win the time-trial based race three times in succession, and the third to win twice in a row.
The annual rally took place from March 15 to March 16.
Gavin won the rally in 2009, 2017, 2018 and 2019, making him a four-time winner.
Gavin has been competing in the rally since 2005 with his 1936 500cc AJS Model 9, which he restored himself.
Gavin bought the bike in 2005 and found it in quite a bad condition mechanically, and a lot of work had to be done to restore it.
“I was in a bad accident in 2009 with the bike and it was very badly damaged, but I was able to restore it and it has been a good bike ever since,” says Gavin.
When asked how he has managed to win the rally four times, Gavin said, “I don’t quite know, to be honest. I do time trials all around the country and I just enjoy it.”
When asked about the race, Gavin said, “It went superbly. I had a very good ride.”
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Gavin said that the rally required a great amount of concentration due to the relatively low average speeds and low power of the bike.
The first instalment of the rally dates back all the way to 1913 where riders engage in a time trial rally from Durban to Johannesburg.
The rally takes place over two days with a stop-over in New Castle.
The winner receives the original and prestigious Schlesinger Vase.
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Unfortunately, the race was banned in 1936 due to an increase in speeds, and sadly, a subsequent fatality.
However, in 1970, a group of motorcycling enthusiasts were able to organise and establish a DJ Rally which would serve as a commemoration of this celebrated race.
For the enthusiasts, tradition and nostalgia dictate that the riders follow the original routes and race on bikes that date back to the period of the original event.
Results of the race:
1. Gavin Walton (1936 500cc AJS)
2. Martin Davis (1930 500cc Sunbeam)
3. Kevin Robertson (1936 500cc Velocette MSS)
4. Jaycee van Rooyen (1936 350cc Ariel Red Hunter)
5. Geoff Johnson (1928 500cc Sunbeam)
6. Mark Broady (1935 350cc Velocette MAC)
7. Mike Ward (1932 500cc Norton International)
8. Ralph Pitchford (1933 500cc BSA Blue Star)
9. Peter Vlietstra (1936 500cc Velocette MSS)
10. Martin Kaiser (1935 500cc Sunbeam M9).
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