SA Kawasaki BCperformance’s Kyle Buckley is one of the most highly-rated Supersport racers in the country, currently leading the Australasian Supersport series with just one round remaining. We tracked him down for this latest Unplugged.

Image: Keith Muir.

My Way

Greatest moment of your career?

Winning a few of the Supersport races at the end of 2015 after an extremely difficult year.

Toughest race ever?

WSBK 2012, the morning after a fatal crash in my race the day before.

Long-term goal?

To be racing in the world championships, oh and to beat [Wayne] Maxwell.

Favourite track?

Winton, before they resurfaced it. The bumps made it hard to ride!

Arch-rival?

At this moment I’d have to say Mitch Levy, been neck-and-neck all year.

If you weren’t a racer, you would be?

Probably just an electrician like I am now – obviously a very bored electrician though.

Greatest inspiration?

Casey Stoner. Watching him win the world championship at 21 was pretty cool!

Superstitions?

Not too many, don’t want to think about it too much or that might change.

Training methods?

Pushy, running and a bit of weight training.

Off the Wall

Non bike-related hobbies?

Not much that doesn’t involve bikes to be honest, but don’t mind hanging out with mates.

What car do you drive?

Id rather not say, but a VW Golf [laughs].

What’s on the iPod?

Bit of everything, not too heavily into music to be honest. Top 20?

Best thing about racing in Australia?

I love travelling around with the team, airports and hire cars make for a lot of laughs.

Who will win WorldSBK this year?

JR.

And MotoGP?

MM.

Tell us something we don’t know about you?

I don’t have my bike licence.

First and Last

First bike?

QR50.

First proper injury?

Broke a few ribs getting run over in in junior road racing at 13.

First time you got in a fight?

Primary school [laughs].

Last holiday?

Went up to North Queensland in January with the family. Good fun!

Last big crash you had?

Hayshed at Phillip Island in Febuary for WSBK. I lost the front at over 200km/h and felt that one for a week or two.

One or the Other

Faster circuits or more technical circuits?

Technical, they seem to suit my style more.

Monster or Red Bull?

Don’t drink it heaps, but Red Bull would have to be the pick.

PC or Mac?

PC.

McDonalds or KFC?

KFC.

MotoGP or WorldSBK?

GP for sure.

Print or digital magazines?

Either, as long as its about bikes!

Blonde or brunette?

Either, as long as not ginger [laughs]!