Suzuki wins bike economy run

When women competitors set their minds to it, they do it well and second overall Sanette Du Preez was also a first timer, winning the novice award, class A for street bikes up to 700 cc, as well as best performance on a BMW. She managed 3.353 litres/100km.

Third and fourth were Alan Dougherty and Reg Gurnell, last year?s winner, also on CS models, managing 3.4115 litres/100km and 3.441 litres/100km respectively, second and third in class A.

Peter de la Rey (fifth, R1) and Mike Peel (seventh XT660X motard) flew the flag for Yamaha.

The top 10 was rounded by Con Barnard (sixth CS) , Garth Jager (eighth, CS), Jenny Gill (ninth, CS ) and Westley Hammerich (10th, GS).

Class A: first three in this (up to 700cc) were Du Preez, Dougherty and Gurnell on their "lawnmower" BMWs.

Class B (up to 1 050 cc): Mephius, also the winner of the trophy for best performance by a RMC member, was followed by De la Rey and Neil Smith (Suzuki GSXR 1000)

Class C (1 051 cc and over): Denver Biggs rode the new BMW R1200ST sport tourer to first in this class 4.0203 litres /100km), Brian Stobbart was second (Buell XB 12 S) and won the trophy for best perfomance by a PMC member and Rean Barnard third (Suzuki GSXR 1300 Hyabusa).

Class D (Touring Motorcycles): all three entrants rode BMW R1200RT models: Johan Nelson 4.9011 litres/100km), Harry van Heerden and Willem Pretorius

Class E (dual-purpose motorcycles up 700 cc): Garth Jager 3.9598 litres/100km, Westley Hammerich (second ) and Martin van der Schyff (third), all on BMW F650 GS models.

Class F ( dual-purpose motorcycles over 700cc): Abri Marais of Pretoria (first, Triumph Tiger 955i 4.128 litres/100km), Henk Gouws(BMW GS1200, second ) and Steve Lilford ( Triumph Tiger 955i, third>).

Class G ( cruisers); Gus Barbosa ( Harley Davidson Softtail Night-train , first) Ian Humphreys (Harley Davidson Deuce, second) and Bruce Joelson (BMW R1200C, third)

Class H(pillion class): Con Barnard and Maureeen (first BMW F650CS), Chris Nel and Gayle(second, Yamaha TDM 850) and Marius Spies and Lize- Marie (third, BMW R100RS).

Class I (pre-1990 motorcycles): Shelley Wayne ( Honda VFR 750, first)

Ken Gould (second, Suzuki GS1000G), Kurt Schmid (third, Honda CB400F).