tire choices more suitable for the track. GSX1100SXZ The GSX1100SXZ "Wire-Wheeler" was an even rarer and peculiarly southern-hemisphere factory-built variant of the standard Katana 1100SZ. Faced with the single-seat Honda CB1100R, which on paper looked likely to be the dominant machine in the upcoming local production racing series, the New Zealand Suzuki distributor at the time asked Suzuki for a new, upgraded machine to beat the Honda. Suzuki responded by building 20 units of the New Zealand E27-spec GSX1100SXZ. During this period, Suzuki sales were at an all-time high in New Zealand (with around 42% market share) due in large part to Suzuki's racing successes. In 1981, Kiwi Suzuki rider Graeme Crosby had finished fifth in the World 500cc championship and successfully defended his TT Formula One title. The E27 SXZ was fitted with wire wheels, more powerful GS1100GZ front brakes, Mikuni round-slide oval-bore VM32SS carburettors, larger 33mm bore mufflers (same as fitted to the previous Castrol 6 Hour special, the GSX1100T), performance camshafts (thought most likely to be Yoshimura profiles as Pops Yoshimura was building Suzuki superbikes and TT machines for competition during this period), braided brake lines, and an extra set of bronze sintered clutch plates. Twenty units of the E27 were delivered to South Pacific Suzuki distributors, as 20 units was the minimum required to homologate the machines as production motorcycles rather than racing specials under the rules of the New Zealand Autocycle Union (then the governing body for motorcycle sport in New Zealand). The GSX1100SXZ was crowned the overall 1981/1982 NZ National Production Champion (with riders Dave Hiscock, Neville Hiscock and Robert Holden), but failed to win the 1981 Castrol 6 Hour, Suzuki's only Castrol 6 Hour loss for 5 years. 25 more units of the same E27-spec SXZ machines were built by Suzuki and exported to South Africa. Australia also received the Australian-market E24. This model received a number of modifications, including lightweight wire wheels with high-performance tires, heavier brake disks, 98 link chain and sprockets, a grab strap to the rear of the seat, a unique front fender, and mounting hardware along with alternate mirrors and a lever activated ignition safety and stop switch. The Australian machines were fitted with standard SZ engines, which received improved carburetors and a new inlet manifold. The 1100s were raced with mixed success in Australia in 1981, but rule changes for the 1982 Australian Castrol 6 Hour saw