• Raced by Gregg Hansford in Australia
• 1973 Australian 500cc and Unlimited Championship-winning machine
• Restored in the 1980s
• Bought by Kork Ballington in 1990
• Known ownership history

Prior to Dave Simmonds' World Championship in the 125cc class in 1969, Kawasaki had made little impact on the international Grand Prix scene. That all changed in 1970 when the factory made available a racing H1R version of its fearsome 500cc three-cylinder two-stroke roadster: the Mach III or H1. Claimed to produce 75bhp, the H1R race engine was carried in a tubular steel duplex loop frame equipped (initially) with drum brakes at both ends, the front being a double-sided TLS unit. Following a good showing at Daytona in March, the H1R was well represented on the grid when the European Grand Prix programme commenced in May. H1R riders Bill Smith, Martin Carney and Christian Ravel all finished on the podium during the year but the best performer was Ginger Molloy, who scored four runner-up places to finish 2nd in the World Championship behind MV Agusta's Giacomo Agostini.

Like the roadster it was based on, the H1R was not the best handling machine in its class, and for 1971 Dave Simmonds had his rebuilt around a Ken Sprayson-designed frame. The result was a transformation: Simmonds scored Kawasaki's first premier-class Grand Prix win at Jarama and ended up 4th in the World Championship despite missing four rounds.

With the arrival of the water-cooled Suzuki and Yamaha two-stroke fours, not to mention the latest development of the four-stroke MV Agusta, Kawasaki's air-cooled triple was simply outclassed. The factory did build a water-cooled 500cc triple that works rider Mick Grant put to good use in the UK, winning the Isle of Man Senior TT in 1975, but its participation in Grands Prix was at an end.

In Australia, Gregg Hansford's mother bought this H1RA from Brisk Sales, the Kawasaki agent in Buranda, Brisbane, in 1972. An up-and-coming youngster at the time, Hansford would eventually graduate from the national scene, competing in the World Championships from 1978 to 1981. He was twice runner-up in the 250cc World Championship, in 1978 and '79, finishing behind Kawasaki team-mate Kork Ballington on both occasions. He died in an accident during a Supertouring race at Phillip Island in 1995.

The 1973 500cc and Unlimited Australian Championships were held over six rounds at various venues. At the final round at Perth's Wanneroo Park, Gregg's main opposition, Ron Toombs, fell in the 500cc race, breaking his leg. Gregg won and became Australian 500cc Champion. He repeated the performance on the H1RA in the Unlimited race, taking the Unlimited title as well. In 1974, Gregg sold the Kawasaki to Bob McGarrow, who rode it in a few events. In that same year Bob McGarrow sold the bike to Derek Gill, who fitted a 750cc motor into the chassis.

In 1982 Geoff Howie bought the ex-Hansford H1RA from Derek Gill with the original 500cc engine parts in a box, and restored it to the immaculate original condition it is in today. Kork Ballington bought the Kawasaki from Geoff Howie in 1990. The purchase was prompted by Kork's fond memories of his own H1RA. In 1971 Kork's father had acquired a used H1R for him to compete in the 1972 South African National Unlimited Championship. After a season-long tussle with Les van Breda on a Suzuki Team-backed TR500, Kork took the title at the last round of the championship. He found it to be a fabulous motorcycle once the wobbles had been cured. According to Kork: "It has rather gorgeous classic lines and makes the sweetest sound of all two-strokes. In my opinion! It is with a heavy heart that I am parting with it but time marches on"

Kork rode the H1RA at the Barry Sheene Memorial event circa 2005 and again in a demonstration ride at Morgan Park Raceway near Warwick, Queensland, around 2007. According to Kork: "The bike has new cylinders, pistons and rings which I fitted for my first demo ride on it at the Barry Sheene Memorial a few years back. I fitted H1R cylinders because they are a milder tune than the H1RA cylinders and lower revving, which is good for longevity. The crankshaft was rebuilt when I got the bike so it should be good for many years if not abused". We are advised that the engine was in perfect working order when last run in 2015. Included in the sale is a most substantial quantity of very rare and equally valuable spare parts (list available), enabling the next owner to run the machine for many years to come.

A wonderful opportunity to own a very rare championship-winning Kawasaki racing motorcycle with impeccable provenance. A signed copy of Kork's autobiography, Ballington Uncorked, come with it, and he hopes its new owner will get as much pleasure from owning the machine as he has.