Descrição
This is Lot 390 in the Bonhams Spring Stafford Sale on April 20 & 21, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Unique prototype chassis designed by Randy Hall for Team Hansen
Authenticated by Randy Hall
Extensive in-period race history
Known ownership history
Present ownership since 2004
Professionally restored
Last ridden (by Scott Smart) at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2012
Comprehensive history file
When the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) established an upper capacity limit of 750cc for all types of racing motorcycle in 1971, it paved the way for the development of Formula 750, which in its day was the world's most exciting motorcycle race series. Formula 750 was quickly embraced by the UK's Auto-Cycle Union, and in 1975 the series was upgraded to European Championship status by the FIM; World Championship status followed in 1977. Honda and BSA-Triumph soon quit the series, leaving the contest to be dominated by the powerful multi-cylinder two-strokes fielded by Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha. Formula 750 rules required that engines be taken from production models, so Kawasaki's H2-R was based on that of their three-cylinder H2 roadster, which was housed in a frame essentially the same as the H1-R Grand Prix bike's.
The jewel in the Formula 750 crown was the AMA's Daytona 200, though the Bob Hansen-managed Kawasaki works team's first major success came in 1972 with wins at the Talladega 200 (Yvon Duhamel) and Ontario 200 (Paul Smart). Sadly for Kawasaki, neither the H2-R nor its water-cooled successor - the KR750 - would achieve that much sought-after Daytona win, and overall victory in the Formula 750 championships would prove equally elusive. Elsewhere, in 1975 Kawasaki works rider Mick Grant won the British Superbike Championship and set a new outright lap record at the Isle of Man TT aboard a KR750, adding the Classic TT to his, and Kawasaki's, tally in 1977.
The H2-R we offer was ridden by former AMA Grand National Champion Gary Nixon in 1972; by Hurley Wilvert in 1973 and 1974; and was Gregg Hansford's first H2-R in '74. It has one of the last wide-port engines of 1972 and is believed to be one of approximately six made that year. The early H2-R's major weakness was its poor handling, a shortcoming addressed by the adoption of various experimental alternatives to the stock Kawasaki chassis, which included a Seeley frame commissioned by Paul Smart.
Meanwhile, in the USA, Hansen's then development engineer, Randy Hall, designed his own frame over the winter of 1971, completing the task in January 1972. Building the frame was undertaken by Randy's close neighbours in Santa Anna, C&J Fabrications. The machine offered here is Hall's prototype, which was first tested in the season-opening event at Talladega. Unhappy with his H2-R's high-speed handling, Nixon tried the Hall-framed machine in practice and liked its improved stability and the way it coped with directional changes on the infield. Hansen decided to put Nixon's race motor in the Hall bike for the race. Nixon went on to finish 2nd behind team-mate Yvon Duhamel, and would use the Hall bike for other meetings in 1972.
Team Hansen mechanic Hurley Wilvert had been racing his privately entered Kawasaki H1-R, and in 1973 turned full-time racer with support from his former employer. Wilvert had at his disposal three Team Hansen H2-R chassis left over from 1972, one of which was the Hall prototype. Wilvert told Hall, who by now had reverted to his former role as road racing manager, that his machine was the most stable at high-speed and the best to use at the super-speedways, other frames being preferred for slower tracks. He chose to use the Hall bike at CharLotte Motor Speedway, finishing 3rd in the 75-mile race behind winner Duhamel and Yamaha's Kenny Roberts.
Wilvert retained the Hall bike for the 1974 season and used it at the Daytona 200 where he finished in 3rd place behind winner Giacomo Agostini and Kenny Roberts, both of whom were riding Yamaha's new TZ750. This would remain Kawasaki's best result in this blue-riband event until 1992! A signed photograph of podium-finishers Agostini, Roberts and Wilvert is offered with the motorcycle. Later in '74 the Hall bike was used at Laguna Seca by the up-and-coming Australian rider Gregg Hansford with the gracious support of Wilvert and his mechanic. Despite having to learn the circuit it was his first visit to the challenging Californian racetrack Hansford finished in a highly creditable 7th place. Hurley Wilvert continued to use the Hall bike all through 1974, competing in numerous races and decent finishes, including 6th place (and first Kawasaki) at Talladega and a gutsy 9th place at Ontario Motor Speedway despite riding with the handicap of a broken wrist. Switching to Suzuki for 1975, Wilvert endured a tough season and lost his factory seat at the end of the year. He started the 1976 Formula 750 season as a privateer riding a TZ750 but ran out of money and was forced to quit before the season's end. He died in 2018.
Our vendor purchased the Hall H2-R in November 2004 and had it shipped to England early in February 2005. He had bought the Kawasaki in California from one Dan Mazzoncini, proprietor of Dan's Glass of Concord, California. Dan had purchased the bike directly from Randy Hall, who acquired the stock of Kawasaki's USA factory race team as his severance payment when the team closed down. Dan had kept the H2-R for many years before Nigel Everett purchased it on behalf of the current vendor.
When the vendor made contact with Randy Hall, he sent him pictures and then spoke to him on the telephone. Hall verified the bike was the only one ever made with that frame, and said 'it's the real deal'. He also sent the vendor all the original engineering drawings he made in 1971/ 72 to have it manufactured by C&J Fabrications (see file).
Nigel Everett restored the machine for the vendor, including a full engine rebuild with original new-old-stock pistons, new bearings, rebuilt crankshaft, new gearbox bearings, etc. The carburettors are the original 'high top' units, fitted with special shower-type jets adopted specifically for high-speed banked circuits like Daytona. It also has the factory-modified crankcases, featuring welded ribs to prevent fracturing under extreme race use. The brakes have been cleaned and rebuilt with new pistons and seals (no fluid); the wheels are original and the machine also retains its original magnesium hubs and magnesium engine cover.
The Kawasaki has been returned to 'Nixon' specification (tank, wheels, etc) while the rest is the same as when Hurley Wilvert rode it. The tail piece and tank retain their original factory paint, while the transfers on the tank have been replaced. The transfers on the rear seat panel and the 'Stars and Stripes' are originals (lacquered over), while the frame still has its original paint (scrutineers' tag still attached). The paintwork restoration was carried out by a specialist the vendor has used for the other machines in his collection.
When purchased, the bike had three signatures on the fuel tank: Bob Hansen, Gary Nixon and Randy Hall. The vendor then got those of Kenny Roberts, Giacomo Agostini (which has faded) and Hurley Wilvert added. Displayed at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu between 2006 and 2011, the Kawasaki has attended events such as Motorcycle World and has taken part in the Goodwood Festival of Speed three times, running twice, on the last occasion in 2012 when it was ridden by Scott Smart wearing his father's original Team Hansen leathers. Kept in temperature controlled conditions as part of the vendor's private collection, the machine was last in run 2012 and will require careful recommissioning before further use. It is only being sold to free up space/ downsize.
This historic Kawasaki Formula 750 racer is offered complete with an extensive history file containing correspondence with Randy Hall; the original frame drawings; a copy of Randy Hall's autobiography; and two copies of Classic Racer featuring articles about Hall, Wilvert and Kawasaki. In Randy Hall's book it is featured on pages 73, 75, 115, 123, 127, 143, 185, 187, 189, 207, 211, 213, 215, 227, and 231.
An important piece of Kawasaki history, this ex-Team Hansen Formula 750 racer is rare in having fully traceable ownership and exceptionally comprehensive documentation regarding its provenance.
