Engineer John Britten and his team built a motorbike that beat world records – in Britten’s Christchurch workshop, on a budget, by hand. Just 10 Britten V1000s, and two earlier versions, were made.

The Britten V1000 was beautiful and powerful. It had a radical new engine, lightweight carbon-fibre body, and streamlined design. It turned heads from the first time it appeared on international racetracks, in 1990.

The Britten bike broke four world speed records for motorcycles 1000cc and under – clocking 302 kilometres per hour in 1993.

Sadly, two years later, Britten died from cancer, at age 45. His passion, creativity, and can-do attitude continue to inspire.