Local team excels at air race

SECUNDA – Francois du Plessis and Christoff le Grangé represented Secunda Flying Club at the President’s Trophy Air Race at Gariep Dam and won the trophy for the first aircraft and crew representing the northern provinces which include Mpumalagna.

Local businesses sponsored the team to take part in this race and they thanked all their sponsors.

Secunda Flying Club has been active the past few years with regards to aviation and also ensuring that aviation gets promoted in the region.

The President’s Trophy Air Race is one of the most prestigious events on the aviation calendar and has a long and wonderful history.

It was originally known as the Governor General’s Air Race and was first held in 1937.

The cup was originally presented by the then Governor General of South Africa, Sir Patrick Duncan.

The trophy, which is still in the possession of Aero Club, was manufactured in Sheffield, England by Mapfin & Webbs Ltd at a cost of approximately 750 pounds.

The event was organised to coincide with the opening of Durban’s new airport at Stamford Hill.

The war unfortunately put a stop to the race and it was not until 1954 that the Governor General’s Cup Race was held again.

The format of the race has changed over the years.

When it began, it was run over a period of two days covering 1 000 statute miles (1 600km or 863 nautical miles) and in all of the four provinces (the Cape, Orange Free State, Transvaal and Natal).

The format was changed in 1983 and the race consisted of two triangular routes beginning and finishing in Vanderbijlpark.

When possible, on the second day, the course forms a bow-tie shape so that the aircraft passes the beginning and finishing point halfway through the race to add spectator value.