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Metzler takes Endurance Title
Bike SA - January, 1986
Mike Eglington and Koos Zietsman powered to three
convincing wins on their Yamaha RD350 to claim the
prestigious 1985 Short Circuit Endurance Championship.
The series was run over four rounds on the very abrasive
and tight Zwartkops circuit near Pretoria. Needless to
say, Metzeler were there to help them triumph.
First Round - April 20
The Eglington/Zietsman combination qualified on pole
position and subsequently raced to their first win. They
set a six-hour Zwartkops record of 562 laps.
Second Round - June 8
Once again, the Eglington/Zietsman combo set the fastest
practice lap. Zietsman burst into an early lead only to
crash on the fourteenth lap. The incident cost them
almost ten minutes and forced them to continue on a very
bent machine. On lap 473 they pit stopped for a wheel
change which took just under three and a half minutes.
Their leaders at this stage were Cobie/Els/Boshoff on an
ill handling machine.
With half an hour to go, Eglington powered the Metzeler-shod
bike into the lead once again where it stayed until the
end. 554 laps were completed.
Third Round - September 14
Formidable opposition in the form of Robbie
Petersen/Mike Crawford (Honda NS400) and Clive
Spencer/Wayne Doran (Yamaha RD350) pitched up to do
battle with the all conquering due of Eglington/Zietsman.
A mammoth three-way dice developed - the lead swapping
constantly. On lap 310 the familiar Yamaha shop to the
fore where it was to stay. On lap 343 they had a stop of
four minutes for fresh rubber. They remained in the
lead, winning by fifteen laps, setting another Zwartkops
six-hour record and clinching the prestigious Endurance
title.
Fourth Round - November 16
After three flawless rounds something was bound to go
wrong. Starting from pole position they led until lap
106 when the gearbox pumped out all the oil, virtually
rendering the Yamaha useless. They lost 32 laps to the
leaders Boshoff/Els (Yamaha RD350). By the fourth hour
they were back in the groove finally completing 523
laps. this time the laurels went to Pete Els/Cyril
Wallace (Yamaha RD350).
The Mike Eglington/Zoos Zietsman title adds yet another
Championship to Metzeler's highly successful racing
year.
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