Kiwi Rider June 2024 Vol.1 | Page 12

ROAD NEWS

VALE SIMON MEADE

Suzuki New Zealand ’ s recently-promoted executive general manager of motorcycle , marine and after-sales , Simon Meade , died on the Saturday morning of May 18 , following a motor vehicle crash . The accident occurred near Turakina , about halfway between his home base of Whanganui and Palmerston North . Meade leaves behind his wife , Jenny , and three children . He was aged 57 . Well-liked and well-respected among the motorcycling fraternity and also within the competitive water-skiing community , colleagues and friends alike remember him as a dedicated and focused individual who made many significant contributions to the industry and to motorcycle racing and water-skiing too .

The accomplished former motocross racer , with roots in the Manawatu Orion Motorcycle Club , had more than 25 years of service as an executive within the Suzuki company based in Whanganui . Simon had been instrumental in overseeing many aspects of motorcycle racing in New Zealand , the popular annual Suzuki International Series – which includes the iconic Cemetery Circuit street races each Boxing Day – one of the jewels in the crown for top-grade motorcycle racing in this country . He was also instrumental in the advent of the GIXXER Cup Suzuki series , a competition created to form a nursery ground for fledgling motorcycle road-racers and responsible for inspiring and kick-starting the road-racing careers for many young individuals who have since gone on to greater things nationally and internationally too .
12 KIWI RIDER