Kawasaki hired Yvon Du Hamel in 1971 to be one of its factory riders. The company was known for making fast, three-cylinder, two-stroke racers, and it needed an expert rider to handle the explosive and narrow powerband of the bike. Du Hamel proved to be one of the few riders in the world who could tame this wild beast of a machine. He gave Kawasaki its first AMA national victory in September, 1971 at Talladega, Alabama. From 1971 to 1973, Du Hamel was the winningest rider for Kawasaki, earning five national victories for Team Green during that period. From 1974 to 1976, Du Hamel continued with Kawasaki, but a series of crashes and mechanical problems kept him from winning. This photo is from Bert Shepard’s Silver Shutter Collection. Photos from Bert’s extensive collection are available to purchase. You can reach him at silvershutter@aol.com

Kawasaki was known for making fast, three-cylinder, two-stroke racers, and it needed an expert rider to handle the explosive and narrow powerband of the bike. Yvon Du Hamel proved to be one of the few riders in the world who could tame this wild beast of a machine. (Bert Shepard/Silver Shutter Collection)