Turbocharged bikers getting ready for ex-forces race

Tuesday 19 March 2019

Ex-forces personnel living in Guernsey have formed a racing team with a Turbocharged Suzuki Hyabusa and are getting ready for the Straightliner Racing event in the UK.

The Ex Forces PTSD Racing Team are working with JL Innovations to get the bike ready in a bid to "raise awareness and funds for the benefit of those who have served and suffered".

The group was set up by former soldier and PTSD sufferer Martin McConnell around four years ago and he has helped raised more than £30,000 so far. Most of that money has been donated to Holiday 4 Heroes in Jersey which then provides holidays for PTSD sufferers and their families.

Guernseyman Dave Prevel met Mr McConnell two years ago at a fundraising event and they struck up a friendship based on their love of motor bikes, both being ex Forces and their desire to help others.

Since then, Mr McConnell has been racing a Kawasaki 1400 at Elvington airfield in the UK to help with raising awareness as well as funds for the charity. Initially aiming to reach 200mph, he borrowed a turbo charged Suzuki Hyabusa for a run which helped him achieve that speed.

From then on he was said to be hooked on racing, and he and Mr Prevel decided to join forces, sell the Kawasaki bike and buy a turbo charged Suzuki to enter more races. Within just a few weeks of that decision being made, the Ex Forces PTSD Racing Team was formed.

Pictured: The bike the Ex Forces PTSD Racing Team will be using. 

James Larbalestier, a friend of Mr Prevel and owner of JL Innovation, became involved and has generously offered to carry out a re-build of the bike in Guernsey and said he won't charge them for his labour time while he does the work. It's hoped it will be ready too race at the start of this year's season which is coming up in May.

Mr Prevel said amongst other fund raising events, Ex Forces PTSD Racing will then use this bike at venues across the UK to further raise awareness and funds for those ex military  and their families who are suffering under the cloud of PTSD.

As Ex Forces PTSD Racing Team is operated on a limited budget the group would welcome sponsorship from companies, businesses or other individuals.

They can be contacted via Facebook here. 

Pictured top: The Ex Forces PTSD Racing Team and supporters with the bike. Both photos with thanks to Keenan Butcher.