It’s official. Altona North’s Garth Francis is Australia’s fastest man on two wheels atop his hand-built replica vintage motorcycle.
He came first in his category at this month’s Australian Historic Road Racing Championship held at Symmons Plains Raceway in Tasmania.
He and his brother, Ryan, travel the country to race their motorbikes, which are built at their Williamstown North steel fabrication and engineering workshop.
Garth took first place in the unlimited classic class, riding a replica of a pre-1962 Manx Norton British racing motorbike.
“They are all parts that are made to replicate the era of pre-1962, which classifies them as a classic bike,” he said.
“The unlimited class is from 501cc and above.
“It’s a Manx Norton racing frame with an Atlas engine.
“We have a top speed on the bike of about 200 kilometres an hour.”
Having raced motorbikes since he was a little boy, Garth said riding fast still gives him a rush.
“Then you have a good calibre of riders, so you have to be on your game to try and beat them,” he said.
“It’s a good adrenaline rush every time you go out there.”
