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Photo - Hayden's Repsol Honda - Kiwi, Pete Benson's responsiblity:
There are a number of kiwis who have left these islands and gone on to some remarkable achievements. Ran a posting a few weeks ago asking for info on a kiwi, Pete Benson who has been chosen to fill the big shoes of the now legendary Jeremy Burgess, who defected to Yamaha with the 'Doctor'.
Bits and pieces have filtered through on Repsol Honda's crew chief to Nicky Hayden;
I understand that Pete served his motorcycle mechanic apprenticeship with Haldane's in Auckland. He has dabbled at road racing competing on a range of bikes from RD400s through to a TZ125, TZ250 and TZ750. Following that, he raced a midget at Western Springs for a few years.
Pete's been with Honda for about 10 years now. Initially, he was Aaron Slight's mechanic in Superbikes. Since then he’s worked in GPs with a number of riders that include Okada, Ukawa, Rossi, Barros and now the 23 year old Kentuckian, Hayden.
Pete lives most of the year in Europe, getting back home between races when they are around this side of the world for a couple of days and is usually down here for a month or two around Christmas.
Thanks to the guys who have filled in some of the gaps on a guy who has quietly achieved and we will watch the team's progress with the kiwi connection in the upcoming series.
