This year’s inductee into the coveted AMCN Hall of Fame is 1964 500cc Motorcycle Grand Prix World Championship runner-up Jack Ahearn.

Never one to mince his words, the straight-talking Aussie was happier riding as a privateer than for a factory. He never raced on slick tyres or enjoyed half the luxuries that modern MotoGP riders have, and he credits his long and celebrated international racing success to not letting anyone else touch his machinery.

The story of Jack Ahearn is one you won’t hear in the modern era of motorcycle racing. Paying his own way and playing the roles of both rider and mechanic, Jack Ahearn finished second in the 500cc World Championship as a fully fledged privateer.

At 29 years of age he made his first trip overseas to compete in the Isle of Man TT on a Norton 350 – the second round of the 1954 350cc World Championship. It was the beginning of a career that would span two decades and eventually finish where it began, racing in the 350cc Junior TT at the Isle of Man in 1974.

For the inspiring story that was Jack Ahearn’s career, watch our excusive interview and get the full story in the special Heritage Issue of AMCN on sale now.