Dave McKenna | |
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![]() McKenna and his Yamaha R6 | |
Born | |
Occupation | Stunt performer |
Website | www |
Dave McKenna (born 8 September 1987) is an Australian street bike stunt performer from Ballarat, Victoria.[1] He is the second person in the world to be sponsored by Yamaha Motor and the first Australian to be sponsored by a major Japanese manufacturer and is voted Australia’s #1 freestyle stunt rider.[2]
Biography
editEarly life
editMcKenna developed his passion for riding at the early age of 5 on Moto X bikes, influenced strongly by his father who was a former Moto X rider.[3]
Career
editMckenna started his career at the age of 20.[4] Having watched street bike stunt riding in his teens, he took up the sport professionally in 2007.[5] In 2013 he was the first Australian stunt performer to be signed by Yamaha Motor.[6] The official partnership then launched the new Yamaha MT-09 in the Australian market with a full length TVC and Yamaha providing Mckenna several MT-09’s to be stunt modified.[7] Resident in Sydney, McKenna performs both internationally and nationally all over the country at a range of events such as the A1 Grand Prix, China Super bikes Championship, V8 Supercars, Moto GP, Nitro Championships,[8] and more recently the Australian Tattoo and Body Expo,[9] Ballarat Swap Meet,[10] and York Motorcycle Festival.[11].
Charities
editHaving himself beaten cancer twice during his life, and losing his father at a young age to depression McKenna has undertaken charity works and awareness raising performances for a number of organisations including: Make a Wish Foundation; Cancer Council Australia; the Sony Foundation; Breast Cancer Network Australia;[12] and the Black Dog Ride.[13]
Sponsors
editMcKenna’s sponsors include Yamaha Motor Australia, Sony Australia, OGK Kabuto.[14]
Pop culture
edit- In 2009, McKenna relocated to China to live and work after being discovered performing on Youtube[15]
- In 2012, McKenna relocated to Sydney to join Servin' It Up Australia, a stunt riding team started in late 2006 by the creators of the "Servin' It Up collection of extreme DVDs".[16] McKenna also joined the Great Australian Ride on their 18 day trip from from Byron Bay NSW to Steep Point WA[17] whilst touring in Alice Springs.[18]
- In 2013, Yamaha Motor signed on McKenna as their factory backed stunt rider.[19]
- In 2014, McKenna featured in the new Australian commercial filmed by Zoom TV’s award winning creative director, Mark Toia for the global launch of the Yamaha MT-09.[20] The story parallels the motorcycle with the uncertainty principle of Heisenberg and showcases the motorcycle's agile, sexy and powerful nature and in an attempt at humour, concludes with a late night milk run highlighting the machines extreme versatility.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Bio". www.davemckenna.com.au. Dave McKenna Official Website. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
- ^ Cairns, Nicole. "Ballarat stunt rider secures major sponsorship deal". www.thecourier.com.au. The Courier. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- ^ "Dave Mckenna – Street Bike Stunt Rider". talentboxes.com. Talentboxes. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
- ^ Cairns, Nicole. "Ballarat stunt rider secures major sponsorship deal". www.thecourier.com.au. The Courier. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- ^ "Bio". www.davemckenna.com.au. Dave McKenna Official Website. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
- ^ Rapid Bikes Motorcycle Magazine, Editor (21 May 2013). "Top Aussie Stuntrider Dave McKenna Joins Yamaha". Rapid Bikes Motorcycle Magazine. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
{{cite news}}
:|first=
has generic name (help) - ^ "Yamaha MT-09 The Uncertainty Principle". www.yamaha-motor.com.au. Yamaha Motor. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- ^ Mckenna, Dave. "Dave Mckenna Stunt Rider at Yamaha Motor Australia Sydney, Australia". Linkedin. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
- ^ Gardiner, Emma. "Tattoo and Body Art Expo to add Auckland show". www.spicenews.com.au. Spice News. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- ^ "Stunt bike mania: don't try this at home". www.armidaleexpress.com.au/. The Armidale Express. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- ^ "2014 York Motorcycle Festival". www.mcnews.com.au. MC News. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- ^ "Charities". www.davemckenna.com.au. Dave McKenna Official Website. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- ^ "This Is No Stunt! Stunt Bike Rider Becomes BDR Ambassador". www.blackdogride.com.au. Black Dog Ride Australia. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- ^ "Sponsors". www.davemckenna.com.au. Dave McKenna Official Website. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- ^ Cairns, Nicole. "Ballarat stunt rider secures major sponsorship deal". www.thecourier.com.au. The Courier. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- ^ "Meet the riders". www.servinitup.com.au. Servin' It Up Australia. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- ^ "The Great Australian Ride: They made it!". /www.teammoto.com.au. Team Moto. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- ^ "The Great Australian Ride - Our Dave McKenna Experience". www.youtube.com.au. Youtube. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- ^ Rapid Bikes Motorcycle Magazine, Editor (21 May 2013). "Top Aussie Stuntrider Dave McKenna Joins Yamaha". Rapid Bikes Motorcycle Magazine. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
{{cite news}}
:|first=
has generic name (help) - ^ "Yamaha MT-09 - The Uncertainty Principle". Freedom Moto. http://www.freedommoto.co.nz/. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
{{cite web}}
: External link in
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External links
edit
Category:1987 births Category:Living people Category:People from New South Wales Category:Australian motorsport people Category:Motorcycle stunt performers Category:Australian stunt performers