SA racing legend Gavin Ramsay dies at Killarney race track

Cape Town - SA motorsport has suffered yet another grievous blow as veteran Gavin Ramsay has been killed in a horrific crash.

Motorcycle rider Ramsay was killed in a crash at the annual Passion for Speed International Historic race at Killarney. Ramsay was the owner of Gavin Ramsay Motorcycles in Boksburg, Johannesburg.

Oil on the track

A rival motorcyclist had crashed on Turn 1. Witnesses saw Ramsay sliding in, causing him to lose control of his Suzuki GSX-R and crashing to the ground. 

Killarney’s executive manager Des Easom says an investigation into the accident – to determine the exact cause - has been opened. 

Easom said: “He was an experienced rider from Boksburg, and multiple South African champion. Unfortunately, he passed away from injuries sustained from the accident.”

Ramsay finished fifth in the day's first race in the international SA TT series for pre-1989 motorcycles. At the first event of the 2017 season held at Zwartkops, just a week earlier, he emerged the victor.

Ramsay has been stalwart of SA motorcycle racing; 30 years ago, as part of the Winston Yamaha team, he won the 1987 400cc Production Motorcycle championship, and in 1989 he was a double champion, winning both the 400cc and 600cc Production Motorcycle classes.