Kork Ballington

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**Kork Ballington**
Motorcycle Grand Prix Career
Nationality	South African
Active years	1976 - 1982
Team(s)	Kawasaki
Grands Prix	56
Championships	250cc - 1978, 1979 350cc - 1978, 1979
Wins	31
Podium finishes	46
Pole positions	19
Fastest laps	16
First Grand Prix	1976 350cc Nations Grand Prix
First win	1977 250cc British Grand Prix
Last win	1980 250cc British Grand Prix
Last Grand Prix	1982 500cc German Grand Prix

Kork Ballington (born April 10, 1951) is a Rhodesian-born South African four-time Grand Prix motorcycle road racing World Champion.

Ballington had used his domestic production racing experience as a springboard to gain entry into the British racing scene. He raced an over-the-counter Yamaha twin for several years before taking a well-earned place in the Kawasaki squad. In the 250 and 350 classes, Ballington swept away the competition on his Kawasakis in 1978 and 1979, capturing consecutive double world championships.

In 1980, he campaigned Kawasaki's new KR500 but developing a new bike proved to be difficult in the premier class. After three years in the 500cc class, he couldn't repeat the success he enjoyed in the smaller classes and retired from competition.

[edit] Motorcycle Grand Prix Results

Year	Class	Classification	Machine	Victories
1976	250cc	13th	Yamaha	0
1976	350cc	12th	Yamaha	1
1977	250cc	6th	Yamaha	1
1977	350cc	5th	Yamaha	2
1978	250cc	1st	Kawasaki	4
1978	350cc	1st	Kawasaki	6
1979	250cc	1st	Kawasaki	7
1979	350cc	1st	Kawasaki	5
1980	250cc	2nd	Kawasaki	5
1980	500cc	12th	Kawasaki	0
1981	500cc	8th	Kawasaki	0
1982	500cc	9th	Kawasaki	0