From the early days painting over graffiti to racing two-strokes at Jennings GP, and now sharing the open road with my son.
There is nothing quite like the sound and smell of a liquid-cooled two-stroke twin. Back in the day, I spent my time at Jennings GP in Florida pushing a Suzuki RGV250 to its absolute limits.
Track days were where I learned the real mechanics of speed, control, and focus. It wasn't just about going fast; it was about precision, understanding the machine, and respecting the physics of the ride.
Pushing the Suzuki RGV250 liquid-cooled two-stroke twin at Jennings GP.
My career in the powersports industry eventually led me deep into the world of Italian engineering. I spent significant time working with Ducati, which even landed me on the cover of Dealernews back in April 1999 for the "Italian Renaissance" feature.
Being around those machines - from the classic 916s to the modern superbikes - gave me an incredible appreciation for design and performance. There's a reason they call it the Ferrari of motorcycles (though sometimes we literally parked them next to actual Ferraris).
The April 1999 cover of Dealernews: "Italian Renaissance: DUCATI Manhattan".
Long before the track days and the magazine covers, I was just a kid in North Camp causing a different kind of trouble - the good kind.
We formed the "Elite Graffiti Force" to paint over vandalized walls at the Queen's Hotel in Farnborough. We even made the local paper for it. That same drive to build, fix, and create something better has stuck with me ever since, whether it's software architecture or rebuilding a carburetor.
The original "Elite Graffiti Force" - Farnborough, UK.
These days, the track has been replaced by the open road, and the best part is I don't ride alone. My son and I spend our weekends cruising the Ohio river roads, hitting spots like Defiance and Bowling Green.
I'm on my Suzuki GSX 750 S, and he's riding his Kawasaki EX300 ABS. Sharing this passion with him, teaching him the ropes, and just enjoying the ride together - that's better than any trophy I ever chased on the track.
The current lineup: My GSX 750 S and the kiddo's Kawasaki EX300 ABS.
More two-stroke action at Jennings GP.
Italian engineering at its finest.
Classic leather and orange paint.