Three times Top Bike champion Chris Matheson’s life in the commercial and industrial property game keeps his mind busy, though perhaps not as much as when he is aboard his 350kmh nitro-fuelled Top Bike.
The quiet times without a phone or email to intrude are valued and for Matheson he finds that solitude on the cross country trips he makes to travel at Perth Motorplex each season in rounds of the ANDRA Drag Racing Series.
“The 4500 kilometre road trip is an enjoyable trek we have taken since starting some four years ago in the sport,” he said. “I enjoy the solitude, no phone, only the rattle and whine of a 20 tonne 1977 Kenworth transporter.”
Australia’s native wildlife does provide some challenge out on the seemingly infinite highway.
“It’s a big deal crossing Australia, especially out there, with minimal phone coverage and the fact you need to rely on your wits to keep the transporter moving to get to civilization,” he said. “Camels, kangaroos, dingos, wombats, rabbits, wild horses, goats, pigs, you name it, it’s out there and none of them have any road sense.”
The trip to Perth is a critical one as Matheson looks to follow up victory at the Australian Nationals just over two weeks ago. With a handle on top end handling the key is now to get the early part of his runs to a quicker pace.
“We still struggled with our early times, however, the bike got moving in the second half, and we were running the bike out past the finish line on each pass,” he said.
“We have a strong track record in Perth and said it’s an important round in the championship, as it usually sets the tone for the rest of the series.”
The ANDRA Drag Racing Series is back at Perth Motorplex on November 30 and December 1. Click here for more information.
Image courtesy Fred Dwyer.