Gene Berrio
Born May 21st 1973 (37 years old) and residing in Rockland Massachusetts. Began racing in 2004 with CCS/ASRA Loudon Road Racing Series (LRRS). Earned Expert status in 2007.
1989 Honda NT650 Hawk GT 700cc (Henry Hawk)
Career highlights –
· 2008 Expert CCS Ultra Light Superbike National Champion
· 2008 3rd place Expert CCS LRRS Ultra Light Superbike
· 2007 3rd place Expert CCS LRRS Ultra Light Superbike
· 2006 Amateur CCS LRRS Achievement Award (1st Place) in Ultra Light Superbike
Hawk GT record at NHMS:
· Current track configuration. Stock motor 647cc 1:19.4
· Previous track configuration: Modified engine 700cc 1:17.2
Personal goals for the coming season – Multiple Top three finishes throught the year. Place top three overall in Ultra Light Superbike Championship. Get into the 1:16’s range
Team goals for the coming season – Represent ECK Racing in a professional well respected manner to share a wealth of knowledge and great times with all. Plan to help all team members achieve their goals with my knowledge and experience.
Other Info – As a commuting college student I wanted to save time by utilizing the commuter lane to and from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. In 1994 I took an Ironstone Venture Beginner Rider Course and obtained a 1992 Kawasaki ZX600 Ninja. In 1995 I embarked on a solo trip to visit family 1400 miles away in Florida to get my feet wet. In 1997 I graduated Wentworth with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering.
My first experience with a track occurred in 2001 when a friend of mine had asked if I wanted to attend a track day. I attended a Sport Riders of New England Track Day with brand new CBR 929RR and have been hooked ever since.
I obtained my Race license thru Penguin Racing School at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2004. My vehicle of choice was a 1989 Honda NT650 (Hawk GT). Having met the minimum required races and points I moved to Amateur status in 2006. As an Amateur I earned the Amateur Achievement Award (1st Place) for Ultra Light Superbike and finished 4th in points for Light weight Grand Prix. Also in 2006 I was invited to instruct for Tony Track Days.
In 2007 I advanced to Expert status and finished 3rd in points for Ultra Light Superbike. This same year I wanted to help out help out my fellow racers that crash on the track as well as improve my off track education by analyzing the track from a different perspective by joining the US Marshalls. I continued to challenge myself for 2008 and set some high goals for myself. One was setting the fastest Hawk GT Lap record. I achieved this the first weekend by besting the previous record by 2.8 seconds. The other goal I had set for myself was to place on the podium at the national event. With my strategic planning and methodical thinking I was successful in applying my plan to be the first one across the finish line to become the 2008 Ultra Light Superbike National Champion.
The past couple of years I’ve continued to work as a US Marshalls and Assistant Chief Instructor for Tony’s Track Day. My focus was just to enjoy watching my friend’s race, help and introduce new people to the sport, help anyone with tips and suggestions to make them improve and be safer on the track and street. In 2010, in an effort to raise money for an injured rider I got the competitive edge back. In talking with a fellow Hawker, they mentioned that they would be the first one to get into the 1:19 seconds. I set my goal that I would be the first one to achieve this. During the last event of 2010, my third weekend racing I achieved it and set the Hawk GT stock motor lap record.
Off the track –I am a Facilities Services Systems Manager for Tufts University.
Not only do I race the Hawk GT, I have a passion for this little cult bikes owning 5. I am also a renowned member of the Hawk GT Forum. In keeping fit for racing and track days I like to build up my stamina with extensive Cross Country Mountain Biking at local state parks. Mostly I am one that enjoys the tranquility of outdoor activities that include anything having to deal with mountains, rivers and streams. Different time periods have also intrigued ma and I have been lucky to travel with my wife to visit many parts of the world. Most of all I’ve always had a passion and love to experience any adrenalin activity.