Jack Ahearn ASM

Jack Ahearn ASM was a multiple Australian motorcycle champion who became a trail blazer for Australia’s world champions over the past three decades.

In 1964 Ahearn won the Finnish Motorcycle Grand Prix in the senior division and finished second to the great Mike Hailwood in the world championship.

He swore not to remove his winner’s medallion until another Australian won the title. Wayne Gardner did that 23 years later.

Ahearn began flat track racing prior to World War II , set land speed records at the Coonabarabran Sprints and won three Australian Senior TTs at Mt. Panorama.

He was nominated a member of the Auto Cycle Union’s Isle of Man TT team and used it to forge a career in Europe which spanned more than a decade.

He was employed by Suzuki to develop their two stroke four cylinder competitor to the all- conquering Honda Four which carried Kel Carruthers to victory in the World 250c.c.  Championship in 1969.

Ahearn was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for his contribution to motorcycle racing.

He died in 2007 aged 93.