A quarter of a century after it was built in a Christchurch backyard, the Britten motorbike continues to attract fans, including one of the world’s most famous motorcycle racers, Guy Martin.

The TT racer-turned-movie-star at Manfeild went for the ride of his life.

The Britten for Martin is more of a revelation and exclamation.

• EXTENDED INTERVIEW: Guy Martin

The Isle of Man TT star has raced pretty much everything. But the New Zealand-built bike is his ultimate ride. He even had a helmet painted in Britten colours.

“Ever since I’ve known about motorbikes, which is ever since I’m a kid, I’ve known about the Britten. I’ve always thought the man was a genius. I’ve read all the books, seen all the pictures, but I’ve only ever seen one in the flesh, and that was last year at the Ulster GP.

“This is only the second time I’ve seen one in the flesh. I’m going to ride it.”

Just a few days earlier, Martin was dirt racing with his good mate, Valentino Rossi in Spain. For many riders that would be a career highlight, but the Lincolnshire truck mechanic’s hero is the late John Britten, who built the V-1000 in his Christchurch backyard 22 years ago.

“What made him want to be different, and it’s all right building it and saying, ‘I’ve done it,’ but he then wanted to go and race around the world and succeed. He did, winning bears champs, Daytona and racing at the TT, and even now nothing has come close to this.”

This is the second Britten ever built, and the only one still on the track. When it was new the V-1000 cost $150,000. Today it’s now valued at more than $1 million.

Kevin Grant, who’s owned it for 17 years, is understandably nervous.

“Guy will get the comment before he goes out, because he’s got to bring it home,” says Grant. “Otherwise there are 4 million Kiwis chasing him because it’s their bike.”

Four million Kiwis, a million-dollar bike – no wonder Martin gets off to a cautious start. But he soon finds his rhythm around the Manfeild circuit.

Even 15 years past it’s racing prime, the backyard creation is still able to amaze.

“This is it, as good as it gets.”