Durban - This week’s photographs from reader Toosie Hudson feature Snell Parade, with Grosvenor Court in the background.
The first photograph shows the motorcycle race that took place along the beachfront in 1950 or 1951. A keen motorbike enthusiast, Hudson said that between 1950 and 1955, motorcycle racing was organised by the Natal Motorcycle Club (NMCC) and the Park Hill Motorcycle Club Natal. From 1939, Snell Parade in Durban became a
well-known venue for motorsport racing events for cars and motorbikes.
In 1950, there were 61 entries, with riders from Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Zimbabwe. Many of the riders who participated represented South Africa at the Isle of Man races. South African champion rider from Westville, Keith Crawford, competed in the 1953 event on a Matchless, going on to be awarded Springbok colours in 1965.
The second picture shows Snell Parade as it is today, with Grosvenor Court on the left-hand side of the picture.