Mark
Hanna – Race Mechanic and Superbike Builder
Mark has a wealth of experience and contacts within the
British Superbike Paddock having worked there since
1990. He has raced himself and ran his own racing spares
business, so Mark knows the biking world from all
angles.
1997 saw Mark working for Mike Edwards British
Supersport Champion and then moving on to Lee Dickinson,
former 250 Champion. The lure of Europe and the European
Championship was next on Mark’s agenda, working for a
Swedish rider and working on Ten Kate machinery.
Coming back to the UK, Mark started his stint with
Honda, looking after Jim Moodie, John McGuinness and
Steve Brogan. A move to Dienza performance followed with
Bill Simpson and Ian Simpson, former Supersport
Champion.
Dienza took on Ducatis in 2003, so Mark got his hands
dirty prepping the Italian beauties.
His most significant career move came in 2004 when he
joined Crescent Suzuki working for Yukio Kagayama and
teaching him English swear words! This year he spannered
for out going British Superbike Champions John Reynolds.
Road racing has also been part of Mark’s career working
for Joey Dunlop, Richard Britton, Martin Finnegan, Iain
Duffus and Jim Moodie.
Mark has worked on everything form RC45s, to factory
Ducatis and Ten Kate machinery. He builds bikes because
he is passionate about them and will build any race or
road based bike that his customer wants. You can rest
assured that it will all be to the highest standard, as
Mark doesn’t do anything by half.
After working for JR in 05 I ended up working for Shakey
in 06 which was great as I had worked for Shakey before
in 99 on a Supersport bike with Rob Frost. So it was
great to work with him again, It was Shakey's come back
year from MotoGP.
In 07 brought CW back to Suzuki and I really enjoyed
working for Chris that year , shame he didn't get a
second year on the bike.
08 brought Atsu Watanabee from Japan, it was a very hard
year for us on our side of the garage as he was
struggling with the big move from Japan , new tracks ,
new language etc, now he has moved on to TAS Suzuki for
09 and I wish him all the best, top rider and top bloke.
For 09 we had to let the other side of the garage go as
that bloody credit crunch really hit us hard as it has
so many company's, I feel so lucky to still have a job
in racing .
Anyway we have signed Sylvain Guintolli for this year
and am really looking forward to working with him this
year.
This year has also seen me being reunited with one of my
all time favourite riders of my era, Mike the Spike
Edwards, Mike will test my RMZ and further help develop
it, we will contest the first round of the Thundersport
championship and see how it goes but after that I don't
know what will happen with the bike, no funds to do any
more rounds unless we can find a sponsor to get involved
with the project, otherwise I will sell the bike. Anyone
interested in the project either get in touch with me
Mark Hanna are else log on to Mike Edwards racing .net
and follow diary on the whole project.
After joining us due to injury we had to replace Sylvan
with M Rutter for a couple of rounds who did a awsome
job for us, then we had the chance to give Tommy Hill a
run out at Mallory park which he really impressed the
whole team with his professional approach and his
riding, which rewarded him with a full time ride this
year, I am his full time mechanic for 2010, which is
going great
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