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55 ENTRIES FOR NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE ECONOMY RUN

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Author: Peter Burroughes

Publishing date: 15.08.2010 14:03

A picture by Motorpics.co.za

The annual national motorcycle economy run, organised by the Pretoria Motor Club and sponsored by Retirement Fund Solutions, has attracted a strong entry of 55 competitors who will set off from Forever Resorts Loskop Dam in Mpumalanga on Friday morning (August 12).

Among the entries, representing seven different manufacturers and engine sizes from 500 cc to 1400 cc, are several previous overall winners. They include Kristene Smuts (2009) on a BMW 650F, Reg Gurnell (2008) on a KTM 690 Duke, Graham Mephius on a Kawasaki ER6 F and Peter de la Rey on a BMW 800.

“As always, we have some very interesting competitors,” said clerk of the course Francois Jordaan, a former national off road racing champion co-driver in the production vehicle category.

Apart from the previous winners these include regulars like Clive Strugnell, who has not missed a bike econorun since the very first event. He will be aboard a Suzuki SV 1000. In addition to Kristene Smuts there are two other lady riders, Judy Rudolph on a Suzuki SV650 and Dianne du Rand on a BMW F650CS. Stunt pilot Lawrence Meintjies (with wife Emmery riding pillion) are also regulars and will be aboard a BMW K1300S while renowned surgeon, Heine van der Walt, professor and head of the department of laparoscopic surgery at the University of Pretoria, is back on a KTM 990 SMT.

Motor racing personalities include current off road national championship co-drivers Hennie ter Stege, a former national champion, on a BMW S1000RR and Richard Carolin (Honda Africa Twin).

Chris du Plooy, CEO of sponsoring company RFS, who competes in the national off road championship in a Super Production class Toyota Hilux, will flag the first bike off at 07.30 on Friday from the start at Loskop Dam.

The first day will cover a 500-km route to the Hotel Numbi in Hazyview, with refuel stops at Belfast and Milly’s on the N4, with the final refuel at the Total garage in Hazyview.

Saturday’s route covers nearly 400 km with fuel stops at Ngodwana and the Big 5 Excel garage before finishing in Hazyview, with the first bike due in at around 14h00.

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