BMW Motorrad hosts 879 participants at the 2017 GS Trophy South Africa in Mpumalanga.

Midrand. BMW Motorrad South Africa successfully hosted the 2017 GS Trophy South Africa this past weekend (4^th – 7th May) at Badplaas Resort in Mpumalanga. The event, which was attended by 879 participants, was the largest in the event’s eight year history (previously known as the GS Eco), with a 3.5 percent increase in attendance compared to 2016.

“Our customers are fans – not just of the GS model range but also of the lifestyle it entails. Through the GS Trophy South Africa we give our customers the opportunity to live and celebrate the spirit of GS. We are grateful for their loyalty,” says Edgar Kleinbergen, General Manager, BMW Motorrad South Africa.

Previously hosted at the AKTV Resort in Drakensville, the 2017 GS Trophy South Africa featured several off road routes, specially plotted for the event. In the afternoon, provincial teams also put their mettle to the test during the GS Trophy Provincial Finals, which decided the winning province.

GS Trophy Provincial Finals

In the afternoons, the seven provincial teams and three women’s teams who had qualified at the 2017 GS Trophy South Africa Qualifiers in April also put their mettle to the test during the skills challenges.

After two days of rigorous challenges – similar to those conducted with the teams at the International GS Trophy – Team Gauteng were crowned the victors. The team was made up of Eugene Fourie, Mark Dickinson and Alfred van der Westhuizen.

The winning Women’s Team was made up of Elzelda van Jaarsveld, Linda Steyn and Antoinette van Rensburg.

“The GS Trophy is a unique opportunity for GS owners to share their passion, while testing their riding skill and commitment to team work at a national level. The calibre of all the riders who participated in the Provincial Finals was outstanding and we are very fortunate to have customers who have such a high level of skill. We are also encouraged by the increasing interest in women participating in the event,” said Kleinbergen.

The BMW Motorrad 2018 International GS Trophy

All members of the regional teams have the opportunity to qualify for the team that will represent South Africa in Mongolia at the 2018 BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy. The National Qualifiers will be held from the 9^th to 13^th August.

The 2018 International GS Trophy will also feature International Women’s teams. Qualifiers and the final teams will be announced at a later stage. Members of the three regional Women’s Teams also qualify to compete for a place in one of the International Women’s Teams.

Confirmed teams for the 2018 International GS Trophy are:

1. Argentina                                                                            
2. Australia                                                                               
3. Canada                                                                                
4. China                                                                                               
5. France                                                                                  
6. Germany                                                                              
7. Japan                                                                                               
8. Latin America                                                          
9. Mexico                                                                                  
10. Russia                                                                                  
11. Southeast Asia                                                         
12. South Africa                                                                         
13. South Korea                                                                         
14. UK           

For more information about the National Qualifiers please visit www.bmwmotorrad.co.za.

For any questions on this press release, please contact BMW Group South Africa’s Group Communications Division as follows: 

Thando Pato

Manager: Product Communications (MINI, BMW i and BMW Motorrad)

BMW Group South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Email: Thando.Pato@bmw.co.za

Tel:   +27-12-522-2070

Mobile:   +27-71-666-2070

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