SA‘s Oldest Enduro Event

It all began over 30 years ago when a Port Elizabeth Kawasaki dealer, known as Brausch Niemann, and a group of friends went trail riding in the Winterhoek Mountains around the Elands Valley just behind Uitenhage. Of course, one thing led to another and the post ride conversations soon turned to racing. And so the “Castrol Winterberg” was born.

This exciting event is the oldest enduro event on the national circuit and the oldest continually run event in its original format on the national motorsport calendar.

The original Winterberg route was marked out using handfuls of bread flour to mark turns and riders often finished the event well after dark. Famous names from this era include Roy Browning, Keith Rivers, Jimmy Smith, Butch Hirsch as well as Kenny Skjoldhammer. However, it was local rider Mervyn Woods on the Honda MR250 who won the first 3 of those pioneer events from 1976 to 1978.

Of course, the exciting event soon built up a good reputation of being well organised with a route tough enough to challenge all champions, yet kind enough on the other hand not to alarm club riders.

Eventually, it all led to Castrol backing the 1979 race and today the Castrol Winterberg is both a household name in motorcycling circles as well as an institution.

Because of the well-marked and challenging route as well as superb organisation by the Rover Motorcycle Club, the Castrol Winterberg is regarded as the best run event on the national enduro calendar.

The first weekend of October will see the 32nd running of the Castrol Winterberg Enduro which takes place near Hankey, just outside the Nelson Mandela Bay. The Castrol Winterberg Enduro starts and finishes at the PPC grounds outside Hankey.

Whether wishing to participate or watch the excitement, do not miss this exciting event!