My name is Max Maud and I’m a bit of a bike nut. Music and motorbikes are my life. The day job is Fyne Audio – a high-end audio brand manufacturing some of the Worlds greatest loudspeakers. I am a founder director and owner of the brand - sales and marketing director being my thing.
My motorbike journey stated in the mid 1990’s, early Blades, ZX9R and of course a Ducati 916 Biposto. This was at the dawn of CB500 racing as a support class in BSB. I was a bit of a track day junkie back then being a regular on Whitam’s Speed Freak’s days, where a 18 kid befriended (embarrassed) me on his CB500 - I was then riding the latest Ducati 996SPS – I couldn’t get close to him. He was leading the CB500 cup with James Ellison in second place, I discovered later.
I had to have a go on his CB500, so we swapped. He was very happy on a new 996SPS! Long story short, I ended up buying a CB500 in 1997 and sponsoring him. Lending him my new engine from the new road bike, and much more. We ended up second in the CB500 cup behind James Elllison, having lead it all year.
My race team was born as we then went into Supersport shoot-out in 1999/2000 then Stock 1000, 2001/2003 and ultimately privateer Superbikes in 2003, again finishing runner up with Dennis Hobbs my new rider. To this day I still quietly sponsor and help some kids where possible, like Harrison Dessoy who I’ve supported in recent years.
All this time there’s been a CB500 lurking somewhere, being used and abused in other club championships or at Cartagena, even touring down to Jerez for more abuse in the sun.
My own racing career started later in 2012 on MZ’s - I figured similar to CB500’s in many ways. I wanted to race with Bemsee as I had marshal friends already and knew the marshals, medics and official were excellent and the running of all things fairly.
I have always built all my race bikes, even the Super sport and Superbike’s were built by me at home. I like the technical side too, and I enjoy learning about all of it. I have a mass of CB500 stuff.
As far a rider coaching goes, there are much better, younger (faster) people than me – although not as good looking. I attained my national licence years ago and won the MZ Cup championship in 2021 – which is the B championship for the best of the worst. So, I can help newcomers and newbies – but Jeremy and his rider coaches for the faster guys for sure.
Definitely slowing down now as 60 looms next year – but determined to keep going as long as possible and help where I can. I have wealth of experience and contacts I’m happy to share, so being a point of contact for Bemsee and the new ThunderBike 500 championship will be a privilege.
Max Maud – 07733 263655
max.maud@gmail.com