Daryl Hurley

Former Australian Motocross Champion, Daryl Hurley began his illustrious career in much the same manner as many of his contemporaries - riding around the family farm on an 80cc junior motorcycle from the age of six.

Born and raised in Hawera on New Zealand's north island Hurley turned his attention to racing at the age of 14, competing in local motocross events and club days.

A star in the making, Hurley was quick to taste success, claiming his first national title - the New Zealand Junior Motocross Championship - at only 15.

Stepping up to the senior championships, Hurley began competing in the New Zealand 125cc Motocross Championship, where he had his first experiences of racing aboard a Suzuki.

A privateer deal for 1997 saw Hurley cross the Tasman to compete on Australian soil for the first time in the Australian Motocross Championship. This allowed Hurley to display his talents alongside the cream of Australian riders - an opportunity which was to pay great dividends for the young star.

The following season, Hurley landed a factory supported ride in Australia, allowing the young champion to turn professional. Quick to reward his new team's faith in him, Hurley collected second place in the 125cc Australian Motocross Series and won the Pro 650 and Pro Outright Thumper Nationals.

Back on home soil during that same year, Hurley clinched another national title to be crowned the New Zealand 125cc Motocross Champion.

Stepping up to the 250cc Australian Motocross Championship in 1999, Hurley claimed second place and again dominated the Thumper Nats Series to be the Australian 4-Stroke National Champion, this time clinching victory in the Pro 400 and Open classes.

In 2001, the talented New Zealander began his long association with team manager, Jay Foreman when he joined the Suzuki factory team; a relationship that was to produce strong results with Hurley winning the final round of the Australian Motocross Pro Lites Championship aboard his Suzuki RM125.

Continuing this success back in his home country, Hurley won the 2001 New Zealand Motocross 125cc Series title and came second in the 500cc class. Hurley was also crowned the New Zealand Supercross 250cc Champion, seizing victory in his second national title with Suzuki for 2001.

Hurley's exceptional form carried over into 2002, claiming second place in both the Australian Supercross Masters Pro Open Championship and the Australian Thumper Nats.

Repeating his outstanding results of the previous year, Hurley contested the 2002 New Zealand Motocross Championship, again winning the 125cc title and scoring second place in the 500cc class.

With support from Foreman, Hurley landed a guest ride with the Roger de Coster Suzuki factory team in America and subsequently acquired a much sought after ride with the international Motoworld Suzuki Team to contest selected rounds of the AMA 125cc West Region Supercross series, AMA 250cc Supercross series and the AMA 125cc Motocross Championship.

Racing in the AMA 125cc Motocross Championship in 2003, Hurley produced a string of outstanding performances including a personal highlight of finishing eighth overall at Budds Creek in Maryland - a stunning result for a privateer rider in the uncompromising U.S. competition.

Suitably impressed by Hurley's results, the Motoworld Suzuki Team signed him to compete in the U.S. and world championship events for 2004.

Winning round one of the THQ World Supercross Championship in Spain, 2004 began in the best possible fashion for the jubilant Hurley.

Completing his U.S. racing commitments Hurley returned to New Zealand at the tail end of 2004 to dominate the 125cc Senior Motocross Championship, claiming the title for the fourth time in his career.

Looking for the opportunity to return to a factory supported team, Hurley re-signed with long-term friend and mentor Foreman to contest the 2005 Australian Motocross and Supercross series with Team Shift Motul Suzuki.

Off to a flying start in 2005, Hurley won the New Zealand 250cc Supercross title for the second time in his career.

Racing Suzuki's all-new, four-stroke motocross weapon, the RM-Z450, Hurley charged to victory in the Australian Motocross Championship, securing the number one plate and the 2005 Rider of the Year Award.

Blasting into the Australian Supercross Championship, Hurley demoralised the competition in the opening rounds and looked certain to seal a second Australian title for 2005, before a devastating knee injury left Hurley sidelined and awaiting reconstructive surgery.

Making a full recovery, Hurley returned to competition in 2006 and led the Australian Motocross Championship from the opening round to round eight before suffering a second season-ending knee injury.

The Suzuki star subsequently endured the longest lay-off of his career ahead of the 2007 Australian off-road racing season.

He battled injuries to secure second place in the Australian Motocross Championship, before wrapping up both the New Zealand Motocross and Supercross Championships during the summer.

Now, with the revolutionary, all-new Suzuki RM-Z450 at his disposal, Hurley is eyeing Australian championships in 2008.