New South Wales rider Kim Ashkenazi was introduced to the sport of motocross at an early age through his father Steve, who was Australian Motocross Legend Stephen Gall’s mechanic when he won four Mr. Motocross Championships in the late seventies – early eighties.

Kim won several Australian and NSW State Junior Motocross Championships and, after John Warrien from Silkolene sponsored him in 1990, the thought of becoming a professional motocross rider first entered his mind.

Two years later, Ashkenazi blasted his way in to senior motocross, creating history in 1992 aboard his Suzuki to win all classes – 125, 250 and 500s – in the Australian Motocross Championships, joining legends Gary Flood (VIC) and Jeff Leisk (WA), the only other riders to achieve this feat.

But Ashkenazi’s effort was even more amazing! Where Flood and Leisk made a clean sweep when the National titles were staged on a single day, he in the inaugural year when the Championships moved to a three-round series across the country – WA, SA and NSW.

That year he was rewarded with selection in the Australia Team for the 1992 World Motocross des Nations (MXDN’s) the year it was held at Cosy Creek, Manjimup in WA, riding in the 125cc class and went on to represent Australia at the MXDNs five years in a row.

Between 1993 and 1995, Ashkenazi switched from Suzuki to the Peter Jackson Yamaha Team, winning three more Australian titles – the 500cc class in 1993 and back-to-back 250cc Championships in 1994-95, taking his tally to six titles.

He was also having success in Supercross, winning the prestigious Australian Supercross Masters series in 1994.