Adrenalin-junky clocks 343km/h on his Suzuki Hayabusa
His father died in a motorcycle accident, but this speedster knows his father would want him to continue with the sport they loved together.
Racers in McLarens, BMWs, Porsches and many more are not faster than Quinten Swanepoel on his Suzuki Hayabusa turbo bike.The 29-year-old Pomona resident was recently named Race SA’s Fastest in Land at a race in Pretoria.
With a speed of 343.75km/h over one kilometre, this is no wonder. Swanepoel started with the sport when he was only four and managed to land his first win in 1996.
“I was raised that you will fall and get hurt, but you always have to stand up again,” the health and safety consultant by day told Express in his neat garage.
In the corner stood a small plastic motorbike. Swanepoel is also the father of a four-year-old biking little boy.
According to Swanepoel, he got his love for racing from his father, who was also an avid racer. Sadly, his father died in a motorcycle accident when Swanepoel was 15 years old.
“My father would’ve wanted me to continue biking,” Swanepoel explained.
After his father’s death, bike lover Len Marshall took Swanepoel under his wing. “He became my mentor and I am very grateful to him.”
Swanepoel, a spiritual man, also thanked God. “He is very good to me. I know all of this is from above.”
When not working, racing or spending time with his son, Swanepoel enjoys building and painting bikes.
He hopes to see more people participate in the world of racing. “Events are not just for men. We have excellent female racers and even children who start on scooters. Anyone is welcome.”
