Last Aussie two stoke Kawasaki GP rider ?

[Big Al Glynn]

Who was the last aussie two stroke Kawasaki mounted GP rider (500cc or otherwise) ?
I can recall McCoy and Pitt on the four stroke MotoGP prior to West of course, but having arrived in OZ in the 90's myself, I cant recall anyone since Greg Handsford back in the late 70's, unless one of the Sayle brothers had a crack ? Surely it cant be that far back.
Anybody to give me a history lesson ?

[Big Al Glynn]

I meant 2 stroke not 2 stoke of course....(tell me stoke is not aussie slang)

[MadKaw]

Goody, an opportunity to go throught my Kawasaki Racers book..

Let me see now,
Kawasaki left GP racing in 1982 after racing the KR250 KR350 & KR500, Kork Ballington (born in Rhodesia) was there best rider in 82 though.
I believe Greg Hansford rode the KR500 in 81, broke his leg at Spa and ended his career.
Graem McGregor rode the KR250 in the British GP in 81

There was also an ill fated attept at getting a 250 gp bike on the grids in 92, Arron Slight (Kiwi) rode it in the states and in testing.
It entered a couple of GP's with a Japanese test rider on board, it was scrapped a year later.

I'm sure some of other historians will be able to clear it up.

[mick_dundee]

Paging Gos, aisle 3, your presence/knowledge is desired!!

[Neka79]

Madkaw has done us proud!!

good work oh leader...

i actually thought KHI pulled out of GP's around 79/80 ish...so he sounds about right...

[Big Al Glynn]

Thanks Dave and Neka, not a lot of takers on that one, which is probably good as it shows the errrh age a bit.........

[Strika]

Goody, an opportunity to go throught my Kawasaki Racers book..

Let me see now,
Kawasaki left GP racing in 1982 after racing the KR250 KR350 & KR500, Kork Ballington (born in Rhodesia) was there best rider in 82 though.
I believe Greg Hansford rode the KR500 in 81, broke his leg at Spa and ended his career.
Graem McGregor rode the KR250 in the British GP in 81

There was also an ill fated attept at getting a 250 gp bike on the grids in 92, Arron Slight (Kiwi) rode it in the states and in testing.
It entered a couple of GP's with a Japanese test rider on board, it was scrapped a year later.

I'm sure some of other historians will be able to clear it up.

From the Hazy old memory .......Hansford was the last Aussie to ride a Two smoker in the 500 class! I think....there's been a few pounds of LSD,Several tonnes of weed and numerous truck loads of Rum between then and now!!! But I was in my last years of High school when Hansford was Punting it around!!!!

[Neka79]

I think....there's been a few pounds of LSD,Several tonnes of weed and numerous truck loads of Rum between then and now!!! But I was in my last years of High school when Hansford was Punting it around!!!!

no wonder he didnt win the champ.... wish i was around during that age!!


oh..u mean it wasnt Hansford that was doing all that?? lol

[Gosling1]

pretty sure the last Aussie GP rider on a kwakka 2-stroke was Gregg Hansford. Definitely was for the 500 class, and also the 350 class (remember when they had a 350 class ?? ).

Will check the library and confirm......