I lifted up my cracked UV visor with my thumb. 'Which way does the track go and what's the lap record?' I called out over the noise of the valve gear rattling and clanging between my legs. The flag marshal's eyebrows raised in disbelief. I could see him muttering 'And who the hell do you think you are - Mike Hailwood?' Four years later 'Croz' as he is affectionately known to millions of fans walked away from the glamour of world championship Grand Prix racing taking with him a bag full of trophies and his ever-present sense of humour. In that short time he had achieved more than most riders could ever hope for in a lifetime of racing. Become his pillion passenger as he takes you on a fast and furious journey from the grassroots of New Zealand motorcycle racing through Australia Japan the UK and Europe. Experience with him the crashes the pain the elation of winning and the international controversies. While the politics boycotts and tragic fatalities make enthralling reading the common thread is his determination to enjoy life and have fun. And win a few world championships.

Graeme Crosby now lives at Matakana, north of Auckland, where he and his wife are establishing their own piece of paradise. This is his first book. It doesn't show.