The race was controversial, because the major factory teams (Yamaha, Honda and Suzuki), which included top riders like Kenny Roberts, Barry Sheene, Freddie Spencer, Franco Uncini and Takazumi Katayama, largely or completely boycotted the event due to the dangerous track conditions. Some private drivers also boycotted the race, which led to the venue never reappearing on the calendar ever since.[2][3]
Gina Bovaird, who took advantage of the major factory team's boycott to qualify for the race, remains the only female rider to ever start a race in the 500cc/MotoGP class.
