Update

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Approximately 2 000 bikers attended last weekend's Strawdogs Rally and the organisers of the three-day event are very pleased with how the rally panned out.

Steve D'Omingo, secretary of the club and member of the organising committee, told Graaff-Reinet Advertiser that the club would very much like to return to Graaff-Reinet nest year.

But not all Graaff-Reinet residents would welcome them back in 2020 and the Advertiser received several complaints after Saturday's burnout competition in Caledon Street. Local opinion is very much divided, with some enjoying the events and appreciating the revenue brought to town, while others see the event as noisy and disruptive.

Law enforcement confirmed that the bikers had municipal permission to perform stunts in the street and it took place under the supervision of the emergency services who enforced strict crowd control.

Locals, as well as bikers were employed to ensure security at the caravan park and to clean up after the drag racing.

Many members of the community went to see the stunts on Saturday morning, while the drag racing near the entrance to the airstrip, also proved to be popular.

Local rally supporters and Graaff-Reinet Advertiser Sales Executive, Suné van der Mescht (with sunglasses), enjoying the action.

The organisers were pleased that the venue for the drag racing made it possible to confine spectators behind existing fencing.

Feedback from the participants is extremely positive. Many bikers said they experienced Graaff-Reinet to be a biker-friendly town and appreciated the welcoming attitude from the locals.

The final auditing of the funds generated by the event is underway and D'Omingo said the final statistics will be available next week.

Up in smoke... Caledon Street looked like a film set during the burnout.
Photos: Christo Vermaak