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	Chassis: Engine: Cylinder Block: Compression Ratio: Inlet Valves: Valve lift: Supercharger: Fuel Injection: Clutch: Gearbox: Ignition: Wheelbase: Front Tyre: Front wheel: Rear tyre: Rear wheel: Wheelie bars: Bodywork:	Dave Branch Engineering (DBE) Suzuki GSX 1425cc DBE 12:1 32mm diameter 10.4mm Sprintex 1.1Ltr. Mechanical by DBE DB Engineering (2 stage for 2003) Orient Express 3 speed Mallory Supermag 3 84" 1.85 for 2003 DBE billet for 2003 12" (13" for 2003) DBE sidedrive with titanium spindle (2003) DBE aluminium 84" Carbon fibre

THE bike was ready to run in mid 1997 and by the end of the season had run a very encouraging 8.09 @ 166 mph. Bear in mind that having decided to be different to everyone else meant that finding someone to assist with tuning was very difficult.

IT is so easy to glance at a bike like this in the pits and not appreciate the immense amount of midnight oil burnt in its creation and running. For example the mechanical fuel injection is by DBE using an Hilborn pump. The system uses a throttle valve, and fuel bleed components by DBE. These control the amount of fuel from the pressurised system that is returned to the tank, and thus by implication the amount delivered to the injector nozzles.
An interesting component is the Nitrous Oxide solenoid which has served a number of functions; An idle (tickover) lean out to keep the engine hot (methanol burns very cool), and also a high speed lean out during the run. The latter is controlled by an rpm trigger from the datalogger.

WITH advice from a Top Methanol car team, among others, 2002 started with a new personal best of 7.81. As the year progressed it was pretty obvious from a spectators point of view that the bike was launching harder than in previous years, and this was borne out by a stunning 7.23 at the season closing National Finals. This despite a slight ignition problem!

I can't envisage what it must be like to ride a bike like Special Branch, so I asked Shaun if he could explain;

"Acceleration is a funny thing; the first time it scares you, the second time you love it.
Just think of so much acceleration and noise that you feel the bike is out of control, trying to drive out from beneath you, leaving you on the tarmac. Any slight movement and you will be flipped off the back.
"With 5 years experience running the bike, if all goes well its like a ride in the park; you do not even notice the acceleration."

FINALLY exciting news for 2003; a new 'Special Branch' will be under development with a larger supercharger and reversed cylinder head, top fuel style.