Motorcycle Pictorial History of Roy Hesketh Circuit, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa 1953 - 1981Older motor racing fans and nostalgists will know Roy Hesketh Circuit well. In its heyday, the 1960s and 1970s, it counted among its visitors many world champion drivers and riders.The Roy Hesketh Circuit was named after famous South Africa motorcycle and car racer tragically killed in WW2 and was host to many memorable race meets from 1953. The South African Government banned all motorsport due to the 1974 fuel crises and also due to the complaints of noise from residential home encroachment, but also because South Africa was now excluded from all international sporting events by sanctions, including motorcycle and car racing, the circuit had it last ever race meeting in 1981 and was sadly closed after only 28 years. Many budding South African motorcycle riders learned their trade there including Kork Ballington and Jim Redman who won ten World Championships between them. Other famous names like Giacomo Agostini, Mike Hailwood, Geoff Duke, Barry Sheene, Percy Tait, Ray Pickrill, Phil Read, Alan North, Paul Smart, Gary Hocking, Dickie Dale, Rod Gray and Mike Fogg to name a few all raced there. South African Jon Ekerold was 350cc World Champion in 1980 and also started his racing career at the Roy Hesketh Circuit.
