1999 Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300R

Crew: Ann-Maree

Best ET: 9.894 seconds

Best mph: 142.25

Acheived at Champion Dragway, Meremere, New Zealand.

Sponsors or thanks to:

Cycletreads, Auckland Motorcycles & Powersports, Wellington Motorcycles.

About the man.............

I am 31 and work as a builder specialising in concrete foundations. I was born in Wellington and grew up in Porirua. I became interested in drag racing about 10 years ago, helping friends with their cars.

The first time I raced was at the Porirua Street Drags (1995), where I ran a 9.9 over the eighth mile in my 350 Chev powered HQ Holden, that I had pretty much built myself. I had always been interested in motorbikes and decided to take my 91 GSX1100R to a meet in Masterton, and to my suprise won the DYO class.

Now I had the 'bug'!

My next bike was a 98 Suzuki TL1000R. I raced it at Masterton Motorplex, gaining a first place. I also campaigned the TL at the 31st NZDRA Nationals in 1999. But I had to go faster!

On a visit to Wellington Motorcycles, they (rather cleverly for them!) suggested I take the newest and fasted Suzuki for a test ride. I left the shop owning a brand new 1999 Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300R. Now I was cooking!

For the 1999/2000 season I placed third in the Champion Dragway Pointscore series and third at the 32nd NZDRA Nationals. Chris Mackrell was having an awesome year on his A/Drag Bike, and he took out both titles.

In the off season I had a major engine failure, thank you to Wellington Motorcycles and Suzuki New Zealand for their support in the repair work required to get the motor running again.

For the 2000/01 season, I was on target for winning the 33rd NZDRA Nationals, running consistant 10.0's. Unfortunately, I took the bike to a Night Speed Drag Wars the Friday night before the weekend of the Nationals for some practise and popped another engine. So that was that for the season. Thanks again to Wellington Motorcycles for their assistance with another engine rebuild.

Shortly after that I moved to Auckland and came back with a vengeance for the 2002/03 season.