Flying Kiwis - The Quest for Speed - The Event

The project, a 90-minute feature Documentary, will look at the unique situation which exists in Waitaha, Canterbury NZ of record numbers of world class motor cycle designers, riders, record breakers, innovators, and visionaries who have contributed to a significant history, present day land speed record attempts, and the carving out of an electric future which is evolving to continue the story of The Quest for Speed.

History tells us that over a period of 120 years, racing motorcycles along Brighton Beach, gathering for race meetings in rural Cust, the first Grand Prix Race meeting in Hagley Park, the advent of Aranui Speedway and other milestones were greeted with huge enthusiasm by the residents of the Canterbury Province. 1955 saw the success of the Burns/Wright team setting World Speed Records on Tram Road, John Britten went on to develop a world renowned super bike in the 1990's. Canterbury riders broke World Speed Records and became World Champions. Starting in the 1960's, Ivan Mauger won a record six World Championships; while other champions such as Barry Briggs, Ronnie Moore, Larry Ross, shared at least one thing in common, they were all Cantabrians.

With respect to circuit and road racing, the 1970's and 80's witnessed a 'coming of age'. Talented young motorcyclists from Christchurch proving they could compete internationally as riders and technicians.

The Flying Kiwi Team, based in Christchurch, headed by Phil Garrett has formed the modern day equivalent of the champions and innovators that went before them. In 2005 Glenn Hayward set a new World Land Speed record for Sidecar on a back road in rural Canterbury and the team including rider Rob Small are currently aiming to set a new Record on their innovative 45 year old Kawasaki aided by some interesting technological innovation and that super wired 'can do' Kiwi attitude.

The first motorcycle manufactured in New Zealand was built in the South Island by a 21 year old cycle mechanic, Raymond Henry Every. Fast forward to 2022 and we see the results of the electrical genius of Sytse Tacoma, a young Canterbury man, head hunted by giant American company Wisk and now one of their senior Project Engineers. Sytse is the Founder and Director of Motorsync Ltd here in NZ and has built the new high performance electric motorcycle the RSE-50.

Over that 120 year history, the landscape, that unacknowledged gift of tectonics, has nurtured an increased passion to challenge ourselves, to test our invention and accept failure, and more importantly, to vigorously applaud and adopt success.

This is what makes Canterbury unique in the motorcycling world and why motorcycling forms such a significant part of it's history, and stamps it's footsteps on the world stage.

THE TEAM:

RICHARD SCOTT - DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

 Richard Scott is a veteran of the New Zealand Film Industry whose career as a Cinematographer spans 40 years. His work includes feature films, TV series, Documentaries, TV commercials and music videos.

His career has taken him to all parts of the globe, however being based in the South Island he now has an opportunity to tell a story set in the landscape he feels so passionate about, and to shed light on people, places and and events whose quest for speed for over 100 years embodies the spirit of this land.

Through a combination of interviews, archival footage, existing photography, re-enactments and a glimpse into the future of motorcycling the team aim to tell a story that forms a unique part of Canterbury history.

Having been filming elements of this feature documentary for over a year now Richard feels more strongly than ever that this is a wonderful story full of potential and amazing characters whose ingenuity and feats have all the elements to make a visually stunning and extremely compelling film.

DR KERRY SWANSON - WRITER/ASSOCIATE PRODUCER

Dr Swanson has worked as a Geologist for over 45 years in both Private, Governmental and Educational sectors. In that time his research focused on the Evolution of Deep marine Ecosystems and their Associated Biota. To this day Kerry has retained an intense interest in optical and electron microscopy.

 The Motorcycle gene is dominant in the Swanson family and as a result Kerry is recognised as one of New Zealand's more important Motoring scribes, contributing to both local and overseas magazines and having four books published on car and motorcycle related subjects.

 If there is one coherent theme evident in those contributions...it is history. Kerry's writing not only simply a record of dates and events, but rather an investigation of individual's lives and circumstances.

When given the opportunity to contribute to Southern Screen Pictures proposed 'Quest for Speed' documentary, Kerry's response was immediate and enthusiastic....." Hell yes, sign me up !"

MARILYN HUDSON - PRODUCER

 After a significant career spanning more than 30 years in the Film and Television industry, Marilyn decided to pursue an entirely different direction in the early 2000's and gained a Degree in Criminology from Victoria University and a post-graduate qualification in Journalism from Massey University. However, a chance meeting with an old Industry colleague resulted in a shift back to the South Island (birthplace: Dunedin) and a renewed interest in telling South Island stories and utilising South Island talent to tell them. Southern Screen Pictures Ltd was formed in 2018 and a number of exciting and compelling projects are in various stages of development and pre-production.

 The idea for a 'Boosted' campaign came from left field as it was not initially considered as part of the planned financial package. However, after considerable development funding from both Southern Screen Pictures and other associated individuals it became clear that more development money was going to help ensure the project remained viable and, importantly, would provide a welcome show of support to potential major funders.