Old timers to strut there stuff on DJ Rally
Motoring Staff
2010-03-10
The a very impressive entry of 124 motorcycles made between 1908 and 1936 for this year’s 40th running of the annual, current format DJ Run from Durban to Johannesburg mirrors the tragedy that was the virtual total demise of the British motorcycle industry that once dominated the world in terms of powered two-wheelers.
Nowadays the extent of the British motorcycle industry is basically limited to the “reborn” Triumph and Norton companies, which is a huge change from the halcyon days in the first 60 or so years of the previous century when Britain had numerous manufacturers and a vibrant industry.
Many of the famous names from Britain’s glorious motorcycle past are listed as competitors in the DJ Run, which starts in HillCrest, near Durban, on March 12 and finishes the next day at the James Hall Transport Museum in Johannesburg.
There are only a few non-British machines in the field, most of them German BMWs – including a 1935 R12 for the fun-loving publisher of Bike SA magazine, Simon Fourie – a 1934 four-cylinder German Zundapp, an American Indian Scout dating back to 1931 and two Italian Moto Guzzi Sport 15’s of similar age.
Otherwise the entry list is filled by British makes – some of them famous like Triumph, Norton, AJS, Royal Enfield, Matchless, Velocette and Ariel and others from lesser known factories such as Humber, OK Supreme, Levis, Zenith, Sunbeam, Scott, Rudge Whitworth, Chater Lea, Panther and Excelsior.
The ages of the competitors also span many decades, with the oldest riders being Stewart Cunningham and Peter Dahl both of whom turn 89 this year. Fortunately, for the future of this event, which was once an out-and-out road race between the two cities and is now a regularity rally or time trial, there are 21 first time riders in this year’s event, which also marks the 60th running of the DJ in both race and rally format.
Another old-timer who is a DJ Run regular is Dave Collins, of Port Shepstone, who is almost 83 years old and has competed in the last 20 DJ Runs, but managed only seven finishes. He will be riding a 1938 OK Supreme that made its name with a win in the Lightweight Tourist Trophy race on the Isle of Man that year at an average of over 100km/h.
The first DJ race was staged in 1913 and the last one in 1936, after which the authorities banned racing on public roads.
There are several family members competing in the 2010 DJ Run, among them the three Pitchford brothers, whose father, John was himself a former motorcycle racer and long-time DJ Run competitor. Best known of the trio is middle brother Ralph, who is not only a multiple champion in off-road racing on both two and four wheels, but also a podium finisher on the famous Dakar Rally as a member of the Volkswagen Touareg team.
Ralph will be riding his 1926 P-type Triumph that he had to rebuild after it was hit by a taxi in Newcastle when his younger brother, Harold, was riding it in the 2009 DJ. This year Harold is riding a 1926 Model 18 Norton that he has borrowed from an owner in Knysna, while elder brother, David, will be astride a 1936 BSA B2 that had belonged to his father.
A “first” this year is three generations on the same make of motorcycle, being, Trevor Fraser, his son Dane and Dane’s son Ryan all on Ariel Red Hunters
Clerk of the Course Pierre Cronje, of the Classic Motorcycle Club, says the interest in classic motorcycles in South Africa is booming as evidenced by the revival of interest in the DJ Run, which says is a demanding test of endurance, navigating skill and the ability to ride a motorcycle under strictly controlled conditions.
