From amateur racer to four-time world champion. While fate can often be unforgiving, some magnificent stories are written within the world motorcycle championship. That of Kork Ballington, the famous bespectacled legend, is at once joyful, exciting, and motivating. Let's hop on the time machine and head to 1961 and Pinetown, South Africa.
Young Kork, born in Southern Rhodesia, became interested in motorcycles thanks to his brother Dozy. At just ten years old, he attended his first race: he was overwhelmed by the spectacle, stung to the quick. Since that day, racing himself has haunted the young teenager. With the help of his brother, he achieved his first dream at 16. The world of competition finally opens up to himIn 1972, four years later, a major event was scheduled for a circuit not far from Durban. The prizes awarded to the winner were tempting, especially for the two friends who wanted to fight it out.
Here in 1982.
The winner of the race will receive two plane tickets to England, two motorcycles shipped by sea, and £200 for maintenance and living expenses. Riding a modest Kawasaki H1R, Kork takes home the top prize. Our young enthusiast flies off to the old continent, accompanied by his girlfriend Browny and his brother Dozy.Once there, resourcefulness is paramount. The three thieves thought they would return at the end of 1973 after having had fun, far from suspecting the exploits to come. Broke, they lived from day to day, flinging from race to race.
Europeans quickly discovered a diamond in the rough. Ballington was already holding his own against factory riders in exhibitions. In 1976, still equipped with rustic Yamahas, he won his first 350cc Grand Prix in the World Championship. on the unforgivable Montjuïch circuit.
Huge results followed, leading to a signing for a factory team. In 1976, Kork signed with Kawasaki, the same company on which he won the aforementioned Durban race. At 25, he can't believe his eyesWhat was supposed to be a fun gap year turns into a fairy tale.
On the KR250 and KR350, Ballington crushed the competition in both categories. He placed 57 points ahead of Takazumi Katayama in the 350cc class but only beat his teammate Gregg Hansford by a few points in the quarter-litre class. The climb is absolutely crazy.
Ballington has already participated in the Bol d'Or, in 1979 with Jean-François Baldé.
In 1979, he repeated his success. Kork Ballington made history by once again achieving the 250cc – 350cc double in style. Kawasaki could not have dreamed of a better result. The company, convinced of the talent of its riders, think it's wise to focus on the 500cc category.
A disastrous strategic choice. The forgettable KR500 was a resounding failure, while Hansford finally managed to beat Kork in the 250cc class. After three years of mediocre results in the most prestigious of categories, Kawasaki withdrew, as did its star rider: to everyone's surprise, Ballington hung up his riding boots. A premature decision he later regretted.
He managed to beat Wayne Rainey twice in 1986, riding a Honda NS500 loaned for the occasion, all in the AMA championship. A testament to his immense talent, recognized by the Hall of Fame MotoGP in 2018.
With his goggles under his helmet and his green motorcycle, Kork Ballington was instantly recognizable.A story worthy of an American film, yet very real. A witness to another time, when you could win world races while sleeping in a Ford Transit that was far too small for three people. Today, far from the engines, Ballington can enjoy a well-deserved retirement.
Did you know this unusual legend? Tell me in the comments!
Here in Belgium, in 1978.
