Widely regarded by his peers as one of the most naturally gifted riders of his generation, the Victorian teenager from Bacchus Marsh possessed breathtaking speed and racecraft. While he enjoyed success in both motocross and supercross, Burt is perhaps best remembered for his outstanding achievements under the lights during Australia’s supercross boom.

At just 16 years of age, Burt stunned an international field of professional riders when he won both the Brisbane round of the 1987 Supercross Masters Series and the prestigious Marlboro 125cc Gold Cup – all on the one night!

Having claimed the Australian Junior Motocross Championship (125cc 15–16 Years Class) in 1985, Burt quickly made the transition to the senior ranks. In only his second season as a senior rider, he campaigned a Kawasaki KX250 and captured the 20-lap Supercross Masters Grand Final against Australia’s leading riders, as well as top competitors from the United States and New Zealand – with the US contingent consisting of World Supercross Champion JoJo Keller and Gordan Ward.

The gruelling final at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre showcased Burt’s remarkable composure under pressure. Australian motocross legend Glen Bell, riding for Marlboro Yamaha, threw everything at the young Victorian in an attempt to seize the lead before crashing out. Later in the race, local favourite David Armstrong mounted a determined challenge aboard his Kawasaki, but Burt held firm to secure one of the biggest victories of his career ahead of Armstrong and American Ward.

The Brisbane triumph was just one highlight in a remarkable 1987 season. Riding for the Melbourne-based Cosway Kawasaki Team, Burt established himself as one of Australia’s rising stars, collecting victories in several major supercross events, including the Heathcote Supercross.

After supercross victories on both 125cc and 250cc machines, at the Australian Motocross Championships at Smithton in Tasmania on 24-25 October 1987, he finished runner-up in the premiere 500cc class behind legend Craig Dack. At that event, Burt rode in all three classes, finishing 4th and 6th in the 125 and 250cc classes, respectively.