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Kawasaki
Pensioner Keith smashes 200mph barrier!
Cornish pensioner Keith Parnell isn’t ready to pick up his bus pass just yet – He’s too busy pushing himself to the limits on his hypersports Ninja ZX-12R motorcycle.
At an age when most people are looking forward to a more sedate pace of life, Keith, who celebrates his 67th birthday next month, is claiming to be Britain’s fastest OAP on two wheels.
At his third attempt in the space of a year, riding at the Woodbridge track near Ipswich, Keith shattered the 200mph barrier registering 204mph to record the second fastest time of the day in an open drag racing event that attracted 100 competitors from all over the country. With nothing comparable listed in the Guinness Book of Records, the feat could also be in contention for a world record.
Life for the energetic managing director of his own Kawasaki dealership, Keith Parnell Motorcycles in Redruth, revolves around bikes. The passion goes back more than half a century when as a teenager he clamped a 49cc, two-stroke, powerpack to the forks of his pushbike.
Keith graduated to an Excelsior Talisman Twin 250 which he purchased, second hand, for £49 and went on to pass his bike test in 1958. He’s been in the fast lane ever since and competing as a drag racer in the Seventies, became Europe’s fastest man over a quarter-of-a-mile from a standing start. He broke the nine second mark for the first time in 1975 recording 8.93/151.98 on a supercharged 750 twin ‘Rouge et Noir’.
“I’ve always had a thing about bikes ever since I can remember and it still gives me the same thrill today. When I topped the 200 mark I was walking round with a grin on my face all day,” said the father of three sons and six times grandfather.
“When I got home my wife Frances said that’s it then, you’ll be calling it a day, but it never crossed my mind. As long as I continue to enjoy it, I’ll keep on going. Besides I’ve only just got myself a new set of leathers and I’ll be getting Kawasaki’s new Ninja ZX-10R when it comes out next year.”
Keith’s next race date is 21 September when he competes in a National Sprint Association event at the Santa Pod track in Northamptonshire. In the meantime he’s busy managing the day-to-day affairs of his busy motorcycle dealership.
“Keith’s a phenomenon, incredibly devoted and knowledgeable when it comes to bikes and well respected. He was one of our first UK dealers having taken on his franchise in the mid-Seventies,” said Kawasaki Motors’ District Manager Peter Perrin.
For more details click on www.kawasaki.co.uk
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