California superbike school founder, author, world famous riding coach and all-round cool dude Keith Code was in town recently. We caught up with him at Eastern Creek…

The 2004 Goodwood Revival once again played host to the inaugural Barry Sheene Memorial Race, won last year by Wayne Gardner.

Handmade racers began about 25 years ago in a shed at the back of my father’s home in Cambridge, England. My first attempt at making something of my own was with a CZ250 twin! The kick-start doubled as a gear lever and you had to swing it around, bump it down and kick the snot out of it until p’ting, p’ting, the throbbing weapon became a living, smoking thing.

Welcome to Lake Gairdner, SA. A massive salt lake where those who are brave enough pit themselves against the forces of nature to go as fast as possible on two wheels.
The lake is hot and dry; as hard as concrete yet as slippery as ice. But this is one bloody awesome place.

OK, so I should take that intro back. There were no maniacs on the Australian Hayabusa Club’s inaugural Snowy Hoot. Just a bunch of like-minded individuals who love riding, sliding, speed and don’t mind the odd drink afterwards. In other words we were all in Nirvana!

Heather and I are discussing the similarities between our own coastal hometown of Umina, NSW, and Rossi’s, as we wander aimlessly along the streets of Tavullia. They’re both nice and close to the beach and the bush. They share a common sense of community that all coastal towns enjoy. And, I point out, they have both produced freakishly fast yet dazzlingly charming motorcycle racers!

A lap of Tassie with my mates, where the corners go all day, the food and beverages flow all night and the fun, well, never seems to end. It’s motorcycling Nirvana.

Talk about throwing myself into the deep end. There I was, happily caning my Mac keyboard with yet another horsepower-filled story when the phone rings.