Bikes and Cars

Growing up in South Africa during the 1960s, my brother and I were fortunate to have been introduced to the exhilarating world of bikes and cars by my late stepfather, Wally Dunn. He played a pivotal role in shaping our early years, filling them with the roar of engines and the thrill of speed. At that time, Wally and my mother were dating, and their shared passion for motorsports drew us into a world of motocross, sidecar racing, Formula 1, and MotoGP. We witnessed races on both pavements and dirt tracks around Natal and the renowned Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit near Johannesburg.

Motorcycles and motocross became a significant part of our recreational activities. We were among the first to race junior motocross in South Africa, creating homemade bikes that carried us through unforgettable adventures. As a teenager, my primary mode of transportation was a bike. At 16, I started with a modest 50cc, gradually upgrading to 100cc two-strokes, and eventually moving on to 125, 350, 550cc, and finally, 1000cc 4-cylinder road bikes. My love for motorcycles extended beyond just riding; I competed in motocross and sidecar racing until 1982, when I decided to take an extended break to pursue another passion—sailing.

The early 1990s marked a significant turning point in my life. As a new resident in the USA, I fulfilled a childhood dream of owning a Mazda RX-7. This dream materialized with the purchase of my first 1987 Mazda RX-7, a beautiful turbocharged streetcar that introduced me to the world of drag racing. Friday nights at the local drag strip became a regular part of my life, igniting a new passion that would drive me to achieve remarkable milestones.

My journey in drag racing began with the ownership of three rotary-powered Mazda’s. Competing on a national level in the NHRA’s Import Drag Racing Series, I achieved notable success, finishing third in 2001 in my streetcar. The following year, the series evolved into the Sport Compact Drag Racing Series. In 2003, I narrowly missed the championship title in the normally aspirated All-Motor Class, finishing second by a mere eight points.

Determined to push the boundaries further, in 2005, I built a new Mazda RX-8 to compete in the Modified Class, featuring turbocharged 3/4 chassis vehicles. This project culminated in a record-setting achievement in 2007, where I set a World 1/4 Mile Record as the fastest 2-Rotor, rotary-powered vehicle, clocking an impressive 7.2 seconds at 190 MPH. That year, I won four events and finished second once again in the Modified Class Championship, a battle that went down to the wire at the last race of the season in Pomona, California.

Reflecting on this journey, my love for motorsports has been a constant source of joy and fulfillment. From the early days of motocross in South Africa to competing on national and world stages in the USA, each experience has added a unique chapter to my life story. The camaraderie, the thrill of competition, and the relentless pursuit of excellence have shaped who I am today and continue to inspire me to chase new dreams and set new records.

My journey from motorcycles to drag racing has been an incredible adventure filled with passion, dedication, and unforgettable moments. The support and encouragement of my family, particularly my late stepfather Wally Dunn, played a crucial role in this journey.

Following Drag Racing, I tried my hand at Road Racing for a couple of years. An entirely new discipline that would again force me to learn how to set up a car and modify it into a winning vehicle, and a local Texas Championship.

Fast forward to 2024 and now retired, I would pick up the motorcycle bug again. This time, to pick up where I left off in 1989 which was to complete the restoration of my 1946 Ariel VG500 motorcycle.