Delving into the past
Between 1916 and 1935, this became known as the toughest motorcycle race in the world.
This week, we look back at the Advertiser’s February 28, 2003, edition.
• Shots fired as truck speeds off
Shots heard by Springs residents on Saturday were those being fired between police and thugs during a car chase.
The action began when members of the Springs police spotted a suspicious-looking truck at the intersection of Chaterland Avenue and Nigel Road in Selcourt at about 10pm.
Their attempts to pull the vehicle off the road resulted in the truck driver speeding off.
Police said the driver and his passenger allegedly started shooting at the authorities, who returned fire.
During the shoot-out, the truck driver was wounded in the arm.
Police finally caught up with the two fleeing men and arrested them in Chaterland Avenue.
Paramedics were called to the scene to tend to the wounded man.
No police members were injured.
It is believed the firearms used by the gunmen were disposed of during the chase, as they were not found at the time of the arrests.
Apparently, the truck belongs to a transport company in Bloemfontein.
Authorities are still investigating as to why it was in Springs.
Also read: Delving into the past
• SA’s healthiest pharmacy
There is more to being in the pharmaceutical industry than packing pills into boxes.
Just ask the staff at Springs Pharmacross, which recently walked away with first prize at the Best Pharmacross Pharmacy 2002 awards.
This prize-giving took place after a conference held from February 9 to 11 at Kwa Maritane near Sun City, which was attended by Pharmacross pharmacy employees from around the country.
The local ‘all girl’ team took the prize after excelling in the criteria of financial performance, customer service, motivated staff and business growth.
“Everyone in our team is always eager to do their best to provide personal and professional pharmaceutical services to our patients,” said pharmacy manager Janine Barnard.
In 1996, the Springs branch started as a small business on the corner of the premises it now shares with Medicross in Zig Zag Road.
Pharmacross serves the greater Springs area and is open daily from 8am to 9pm, including public holidays.
Also read: Delving into the past
• A 1929 vintage for Hollard’s DJ
Hew Hollard will tackle the Durban-Johannesburg (DJ) motorcycle run in the saddle of a 1929 Ariel.
The Springs man, whose passion for motorcycles started in 1994, has been a part of the DJ run for the past 23 years.
Hollard has bought and restored motorcycles over the years, which allows him the freedom to test out his handiwork.
The DJ event is not a race, but that was not always the case.
The first DJ took place in 1913 and was a race.
Between 1916 and 1935, this became known as the toughest motorcycle race in the world.
However, in 1936, the authorities banned racing on public roads due to higher speeds and an increased volume of traffic.
But 34 years later, Dick Osborne breathed new life into the event.
The 1970 commemorative DJ rally started in West Street and the competitors were handed an uncalculated route sheet a mere half an hour before the starting time.
Hollard first participated in the event on a 1929 Douglas, which he had restored.
Today, however, he only owns Ariels, both pre- and post-war.
Hollard will join other enthusiasts on March 7 when they leave at 6am from Pinetown and make their way up to Johannesburg.
They will stop off in Newcastle for the night before arriving back in Gauteng on March 8.
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