My name is Mark Sullivan, better known as Max. I am a qualified motorcycle technician and have been in the motorcycle trade for over 20 years. I am currently the Operations Manager for Sydney City Smash Repairs in Clyde, NSW Australia. Sydney City Smash Repairs is part of the Sydney City Motorcycle group with retail stores in Lane Cove, Kogarah and Campbelltown. Check the Links tab for more information.

I have been the Chief Engineer for GHR Honda Off Road Team from 2001-2004, specializing in desert and endurance racing. Although my work commitments prohibit me from being too involved with the ever growing GHR Off Road Team, my services were still employed in major events each year such as Condo 750, Finke Desert Race and Australian Safari up until 2011. My love of motorcycles, desert racing and dirt bike riding has provided me with many unique opportunities. I have been able to provide race and technical support both in Australia and overseas, in events such as the Dakar Rally.

Over the last nine years I have combined this with another past time, photography, which ultimately led to this site. Although adventure/sports photography is my primary passion, I also enjoy trying my hand at different types of photography. If you require a photographer for any reason, or any occasion, why not contact me and lets discuss your needs.

If you would like to contact me, please send an email to maximum1@iinet.com.au

Photo A.Wall

To give you an idea of who I am, here are a few interesting points.

• For the first fifteen years of my trade, I worked in Yamaha dealerships. My knowledge of the Yamaha product led me to compete in Yamaha Motor Australia's first Technicians Grand Prix held in 2001. After competing against the best technicians in Australia and New Zealand, I emerged the Oceania Champion.

• I competed in the inaugural Yamaha World Technicians Grand Prix in Japan during 2002. I finished third in the world out of 17 competitors from 11 different countries. Unfortunately Yamaha Japan stipulates each competitor only gets to compete once. I was unable to improve my position as entry into the subsequent competitions in Australia and Japan was not allowed.

       2002 Yamaha World Technicians Grand Prix Japan

• I have been the Chief Engineer for the GHR Honda Off Road Team from 2001-2004, preparing desert race bikes in my spare time for races such as The Australian Safari, Condo 750 and Finke Desert Race. Although not able to assist full time, I still attend major events and offer assistance when needed.

  The Honda Off Road achievements I have been involved with, are as follows....

  2001 Australian Safari - 2nd Outright

  2001 Sunraysia Cross Country Rally - 1st, 4th Outright

  2001 Riverina Cross Country Rally - 1st, 2nd, 3rd Outright

  2002 Australian Safari - 2nd Outright

  2002 Sunraysia Cross Country Rally - 1st Outright

  2002 Western Plains Cross Country Rally - 1st Outright

  2003 Australian Safari - 2nd, 3rd, 7th Outright

  2003 Condo 750 - 1st Outright, 4th Outright

  2004 Finke Desert Race - 1st, 3rd, 9th Outright

  2004 Condo 750 - 1st, 2nd Outright, 1st in class 250cc four stroke

  2004 Australian Safari - 1st Outright

  2005 Condo 750 - 1st, 3rd Outright, 1st in class 250cc four stroke

  2005 Finke Desert Race - 4th, 5th Outright

  2006 Condo 750 - 1st, 2nd Outright, 1st, 2nd 450cc four stroke

  2006 Finke Desert Race - 3rd Outright, 2nd 450cc four stroke

  2007 Condo 750 - 2nd Outright

  2007 Finke Desert Race - 1st Outright

  2007 Australian Safari - 1st Outright

  2008 Australian Safari - 1st, 3rd Outright

  2009 Australian Safari - 1st Outright

• In July 2004, I traveled to Makati City, Manila in the Philippines to conduct a  five day training course on motorcycle mechanics. I met some great people and still found time to trail ride in the jungle as well as join some friends on a road ride to Subic Bay.

• For the past seven years I have been able to assist Australasian Dirt Bike Magazine with Tech Tips, Photographs and technical advice. Recently I have been more involved, both photographing and writing technical articles. For samples of my work, please click HERE.

• I have been a regular contributor to both Dirt Action Magazine and Trailrider Magazine with Pictorials as well as interviews, event articles and regular Tech articles. For samples of my work, please click HERE.

• I have also been a sweep rider for the Honda Michelin Trail Ride Series running from 2001 to 2006. This also extended to dealer rides and bike releases such as the CRF250X and CRF450X. Not always fun out in the darkness looking for a lost rider, but at least I get to ride the race bikes I prepare!

• I attended the start of the 2005 Barcelona to Dakar Rally in Spain this year. Not only was it awesome to see the start of the largest race in the world, I managed to score a press pass and take all the photographs I could! Check out the pictorial published in Dirt Action Magazine March 2005.

• At the end of 2005, I traveled to Portugal with my girlfriend as well as fellow GHR sweep, Allan Wall to see the start of the 2006 Dakar Rally. We offered some help and advice to Australian Privateer Christophe Barriere-Varju in his first Dakar Rally. To read all about our foreign adventures, check out issue 11 of Trailrider Magazine.

• February 2006 saw my first assignment as an adventure photographer. I accompanied a group tour, on a seven day, 2000km ride down the Baja Peninsula in Mexico. This was an awesome experience, with a great group of guys. The scenery was spectacular, and the margaritas tasted great.

• At the end of 2006, I headed off to Lisbon, Portugal once again for the Dakar Rally. The 2007 Dakar would be the first time I would attend the whole rally, as a mechanic. I spannered for Australian rider Christophe Barriere-Varju, as well as Patrice Carillon from France, and Enio Cuccarachi from Italy. All three of my riders finished the event. Check out the Dakar page for more info and images.

• January 2008, my application for Accredited CAMS (Confederation of Australian Motorsport) Photographer was successful. My current CAMS photographer number is 1080141

• On Christmas Day 2010, I flew to South America to join the rest of the GHR Honda Team, in preparation for the 2011 Dakar Rally. The Rally covered 9000km from Argentina, crossing the Andes to Chile and then back to Argentina. Four riders started, only one finished. No mechanical DNF's but a very tough race.

• September 2011 saw a change at Safari. After 11yrs with Honda, it was time change colours. CPW KTM offered me a position on the team. Some bad luck came their way after a dominating 2010 Safari. I am pleased to say my rider, Troy O'Connor finished! It was a great opportunity to get to know three times Dakar Winner, Cyril Despres who joined our Team. Some valuable advice for the upcoming Dakar was given to me by Cyril's long time mechanic, Roland Bruckner. Again a great friendship was struck up in the deserts of Western Australia.

• On Boxing Day 2011, I again flew to South America. I was spannering for Mark Davidson on his KTM450 Rallye Replica. This time the Dakar started in Argentina, went through Chile and ended in Lima, Peru. Unfortunately fatigue took its toll on day five and Mark retired from the race. Less than half the field ever complete the race.

• In September 2012 attended my 10th Australian Safari. I have been to every Australian Safari since 2001, and have only missed the years the event was cancelled. In 2012 I went back to my roots, working with Yamaha Australia as Team Manager for three riders. Rod Faggotter, Shane Diener and Vern Strange. Unfortunately a knee injury brought an early end to Shane's race, while Rod suffered from a rare wheel bearing failure while fighting for the outright lead.

• At the end of December 2012 I once again flew to South America to take on my 4th Dakar Rally. This time spannering for Troy O'Connor on his KTM450RR. We teamed up with the Polish "Orlen" Team, along side the KTM Factory guys. A freak rock found its way to Troy's oil cooler, puncturing it and draining the engine of vital oil. Unfortunately the engine would not re start and Troy's dream of finishing Dakar finished at 4am on day 6. 

• Dakar number 5 is coming up in January 2014.... stay tuned for the adventures....