Chris Matheson

At 63 years of age, Australia’s most renowned Top Fuel Drag racer Chris Matheson became the first to break the six-second barrier for the quarter mile – a feat equivalent to running the four minute mile.

Born outside Tamworth in 1961 Chris was always meant to do great things on two wheels.

Early dirt bike experience confirmed his skill and balance, but a career in property development got in the way of his competition ambition.

His 50th birthday changed all that. Chris imported a top fuel drag bikes from the states and set out in pursuit of the elusive five second pass.

Over a decade, he became our country’s pre-eminent racer – eight championships, 50 wins, 70 podiums, 60 top qualifying performances. It didn’t come easily.

Matheson’s proud claim is that at 379kmh, it was the fastest motorcycle crash in the world in which the rider survived.

Undaunted he set out to build a bike even faster. Top Fuel bikes are powered by 1.5 litre four cylinder supercharged engines – incredibly developing two thousand horsepower. Each component made from a single billet of steel.

Ten years to the day after the crash he achieved his sub-second goal at Sydney Dragway.

Chris retired on the spot. His wife and five kids appreciated that. Now he’s working on building the first twin cylinder Harley to go under six seconds anywhere in the world: but someone else will ride it.