Before MotoGP became the global spectacle it is today, there was a South African rider who tore up the world stage and made history with pure grit, raw talent and fearless determination.

Dylan Rogers recently caught up with motorcycle racing legend Kork Ballington for a truly special edition of Where Are They Now? — taking listeners back to one of the greatest chapters in South African sporting history.

Speaking on HOT Sport 60 with Betway from his home near Brisbane, Australia, Kork reflected on a life that has remained as full-throttle as ever. Now nearing 75, the four-time world champion still sounded full of energy, still riding, and still carried the unmistakable passion of a man who never really stepped away from the thrill of two wheels.

What made the interview so special was not just the nostalgia, but the way Ballington took listeners right back to those unforgettable years of 1978 and 1979 — when he achieved something extraordinary by winning world titles in both the 250cc and 350cc classes, in consecutive years.

It remains one of the most remarkable feats in motorsport history.

In the full conversation with Dylan, Ballington vividly recalled the physical demands of that era: winning one race, getting barely ten minutes to recover, and then climbing straight onto another bike for the next. No traction control. No electronic rider aids. Just instinct, bravery and supreme fitness.

There was a wonderful sense of pride when he spoke about being a “hungry South African,” taking on the world’s best factory riders and proving he belonged among the elite. For many listeners, the interview served as a reminder of just how dominant Ballington was at the height of his powers.

He also reflected on how the sport has evolved — from the close-knit paddock culture of his day, where riders would gather for a braai after racing, to the highly technical, showbiz world of modern MotoGP.

Kork also shared his thoughts on South Africa’s current star, Brad Binder, offering insight into the ups and downs of life at the top level.

For those who missed the conversation on HOT Sport 60 with Betway, this is one worth revisiting — a celebration of a South African sporting icon whose legacy still roars nearly 50 years later.

HOT Sport 60 with Betway airs Friday evenings from 6–7pm on HOT 102.7FM.