Wayne Gardner

The Wollongong Whiz who conquered the world's premier motorcycle class.

Wayne Michael Gardner (born 11 October 1959) is an Australian former professional motorcycle and touring car racer. He competed in the Grand Prix motorcycle racing world championships, most prominently as a member of the Honda factory racing team where he became the first Australian to win motorcycling's premier class in 1987. His success on the world motorcycle road racing circuit earned him the nickname The Wollongong Whiz.

Quick Facts

Nationality

Australian

Riding style

Aggressive
wheelie-driven
power-oriented

Lore & Background

Gardner was born in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. He began his racing career in 1977 at age 18 on a second-hand Yamaha TZ250. In 1981, he raced for Mamoru Moriwaki in the Australian Superbike championship. Graeme Crosby gave him his first opportunity in Europe. Gardner made his 500cc Grand Prix debut in 1983 with the Honda Britain team. He won his first Grand Prix at the 1986 Spanish Grand Prix. In 1987, he became the first Australian to win the 500cc World Championship, riding the Honda NSR500. He also won four Suzuka 8 Hours races (1985, 1986, 1991, 1992). After retiring from motorcycle racing in 1992, he competed in touring car racing from 1993 to 2002.

Reader's Guide

Gardner's 1987 World Championship saw a sharp rise in the popularity of Grand Prix motorcycle racing in Australia, leading to the inaugural Australian motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island in 1989. He won his home race that year. He also won the Australian Grand Prix in 1990. His touring car career included driving for the Holden Racing Team and forming his own team, Wayne Gardner Racing, in 1994.