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Kenny Roberts

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Kenny Roberts

Kenny Roberts

USA

USA
Born: 1-Oct-51

Born October 1951, "King Kenny" was one of the most important figures of the World GP as well as in the USA. Making his debut in amateur racing in 1965 at the age of 14, he clinched consecutive AMA Grand National Championship titles in 1973 and 1974. As soon as he began racing in the World GP from 1978, Roberts made his name immediately by taking three consecutive championship titles. After losing to Freddie Spencer in a ferocious battle for the title in 1983, he teamed up with fellow rider Tadahiko Taira for the Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Road Race. Roberts enticed the fans with his overwhelming speed.

Roberts, the showman, left many other resounding impressions on the sport. Arriving in a huge motor-home, his aggressive riding style of sliding the rear tire (rear wheel steering), and his hang-off riding posture is now the standard in the GP. Robert's success brought along the insurgence of great American riders of the 80's, such as Randy Mamola, Spencer and Eddie Lawson. After retiring from racing, he headed, Team Roberts, bringing Wayne Rainey and John Kocinski through the ranks to become world champions. From 1997 he entered the MotoGP with his team KR on an original machine.

On the YZR500 in 1980

On the YZR500 in 1980

Racing career

YearClassResult & Pole positionMachine
1978 500cc Champion PP: 2 1st: 4 2nd: 3 3rd: 1 YZR500(0W35K)
1978 250cc 4th PP: 3 1st: 2 2nd: 2 3rd: 0 TZ250
1978 F750 2nd PP: 0 1st: 4 2nd: 2 3rd: 0 YZR750(0W31)
1979 500cc Champion PP: 5 1st: 5 2nd: 1 3rd: 1 YZR500(0W45)
1980 500cc Champion PP: 2 1st: 3 2nd: 2 3rd: 1 YZR500(0W48/0W48R)
1981 500cc 3rd PP: 0 1st: 2 2nd: 2 3rd: 1 YZR500(0W54)
1982 500cc 4th PP: 3 1st: 2 2nd: 1 3rd: 1 YZR500(0W60/0W61)
1983 500cc 2nd PP: 6 1st: 6 2nd: 3 3rd: 0 YZR500(0W70)

*Results for years with a Yamaha factory team, riding a Yamaha factory machine or ranked 5th or higher riding a Yamaha production racer (World GP, World F750)

Gallery

  • Argentina GP in 1982

    Argentina GP in 1982

  • In 1981

    In 1981

  • Competing in 1981

    Competing in 1981

  • On the YZR500 in 1980

    On the YZR500 in 1980

  • In the 1980 series

    In the 1980 series

  • On the YZR500 in 1982

    On the YZR500 in 1982

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