Guernsey Press

200mph is aim of PTSD awareness rider

MOTORBIKE enthusiasts are preparing to go over 200mph to help raise awareness and funds for post-traumatic stress disorder.

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Martin O’Connell, left, will be at the controls of the Suzuki Hyerbusa on the 200mph attempt in the summer. Also pictured are James Larbalestier, centre, the owner of JL Innovations, which is preparing the bike, and co-owner Dave Prevel. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 24155975)

Martin McConnell and Dave Prevel acquired a turbo-charged Suzuki Hyerbusa recently, which is being kitted out in preparation for a straight line attempt at going over 200mph, in the UK this summer.

Through doing this the pair will be raising funds and awareness for the charity, Holidays4Heroes.

It raises money to take ex-forces members suffering from PTSD, and their families, to Jersey for a week long holiday.

‘We are ex-forces and we all know people who are suffering from PTSD,’ said Mr Prevel.

‘The whole mental health issue is more open now, more people are talking about it and PTSD is part of that.

‘This is about raising awareness just as much as it is about raising money.’

Mr O’Connell will be the man holding the handle bars when the bike reaches 200mph.

‘This bike will get to that speed in about 18 to 20 seconds,’ he said.

‘It’s exhilarating but it goes so quickly you don’t have time to think.’

A PTSD sufferer himself, Mr O’Connell said it was important to help people suffering from mental illness.

‘This is about getting people interested,’ he said. ‘90% of the money we raise goes to Holidays4Heroes.

‘In the last three years we have sent them £22,000 and we have already sent them £5,000 this year.

‘But it is getting harder and harder to raise money.

‘Through the events like the 200mph challenges we can get sponsors for the bike.

The bike is being rebuilt free of charge by local specialist JL Innovations.

Company owner James Larbalestier said that the team would like to find local sponsors for the bike.

‘Our aim is to build Guernsey’s fastest land speed bike, and there is no reason that we shouldn’t,’ he said.

‘We would like to find sponsors from both here and Jersey, get the Channel Islands spirit behind the project.’

The bike should be ready in May or June and will be attempting to reach 200mph at Elvington airfield in Yorkshire, the venue where Zef Eisenberg was seriously injured in a high-speed accident in 2016.