Australian motorcycling ace Warren Willing has passed away after a battle with cancer.

Remembered for some epic battles with Gregg Hansford in what many regard as the ‘golden years’ of Australian motorcycle racing, Willing went on to become one of the sport’s leading international engineers.

Willing’s career spanned more than four decades from 1970 when he began road racing in Australia and New Zealand, before progressing to the 750cc World Championship and the 200 miles of Daytona.

His riding career ended in 1979 when he was involved in a massive accident in Northern Ireland which almost cost him one of his legs.

Two years later, Willing’s second career started as a team manager and technician.

His biggest success was the triple 500cc crown of Wayne Rainey in 1990, 91 and 92, when he worked as a crew chief in the Kenny Roberts Marlboro team – Roberts having scored three consecutive 500 cc titles himself a decade prior to Rainey.

In 2000, Willing was one of the key figures within the Suzuki factory team, leading Kenny’s son Kenny Roberts junior to the 500cc crown.

From 2004, Willing worked as a consultant and chassis constructor for KTM in the 125cc, 250cc and MotoGP category before consulting with Ducati.

One of Willing’s last major public appearances came at the Barry Sheene Festival at Eastern Creek in March.

Willing’s Kawasaki Mach IV that had been ridden in the old Chesterfield Superbike Series and immaculately restored by his brother Glenn, was lined up in pitlane beside the new Kawasaki superbike ‘R’ version.

Later Glenn did some demonstration laps in an old pair of Warren’s leathers while Warren and his daughter Nicole followed for a tribute lap in a convertible car.

Willing is survived by his wife Wendy and daughter Nicole.

Speedcafe.com extends its deepest sympathies to Warren’s family, friends and the wider motorcycling community.