WATCH: Vintage bikes concludes the DJ Rally at Northerns
This was the 51st regularity trial for motorcycles
Crowds gathered at the Benoni Northerns Sport Club on March 12 to welcome participants of the annual DJ Rally to the finish line, with the venue being a first in the regulatory time trail’s history.
Of the 84 riders, 58 completed the 700km journey from Hillcrest, Durban, to Benoni.
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The two-day event became a commemorative rally in 1970. It was originally held as a motorcycle race from Johannesburg to Durban under the Rand Daily Mail flag.
Running from 1913 to 1936 the race was subsequently banned following a fatal accident and it was deemed unsafe to motorcyclists and other road users.
Participants in the rally may not enter motorcycles that were produced after 1936, which makes it a must for avid vintage collectors and enthusiasts.
“This rally pays homage to the iron steed and is truly an event-driven by passion,” said Hylton Allison, this year’s clerk of the course.
“These machines may not roar like their newer counterparts, the ride is long and grueling but the satisfaction of knowing what they are capable of is rewarding.”
Gavin Walton secured his fifth overall win on his trusty 1936 500cc AJS.
His previous victories included 2009, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
Second place went to Mike Ward on a 1935 500cc Velocette and Martin Kaiser took third place on a 1935 500cc Sunbeam.
Moto GP fans were able to get a quick glance of Brad and Darryn Binder, who completed the rally for the second time.
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