Kenny Roberts

For other people named Kenny Roberts, see Kenny Roberts (disambiguation).

Kenny Roberts
Roberts in 1975
NationalityAmerican
Born (1951-12-31) December 31, 1951 (age 72)
Modesto, California
Motorcycle racing career statistics
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Active years1974, 1978 – 1983
First race1974 250 cc Dutch TT
Last race1983 500 cc San Marino Grand Prix
First win1978 250cc Venezuelan Grand Prix
Last win1983 500 cc San Marino Grand Prix
Team(s)Yamaha
Championships500 cc – 1978, 1979, 1980
Starts Wins Podiums Poles F. laps Points
60 24 44 22 27 658

Kenneth Leroy Roberts (born December 31, 1951) is an American former professional motorcycle racer and racing team owner. In 1978, he became the first American to win a Grand Prix motorcycle racing world championship.[1][2] He was also a two-time winner of the A.M.A. Grand National Championship. Roberts is one of only four riders in American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) racing history to win the AMA Grand Slam, representing Grand National wins at a mile, half-mile, short-track, TT Steeplechase and road race events.[2][3]

Roberts left his mark on Grand Prix motorcycle racing as a world championship winning rider, a safety advocate, a racing team owner, and as a motorcycle engine and chassis constructor. His dirt track-based riding style changed the way Grand Prix motorcycles were ridden.[1] Roberts' proposal to create a rival motorcycle championship in 1979 broke the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) hegemony and increased the political clout of Grand Prix racers, which subsequently led to improved safety standards and a new era of professionalism in the sport.[4] In 2000, Roberts was named a Grand Prix Legend by the FIM.[5] He is also the father of 2000 Grand Prix world champion Kenny Roberts Jr.

  1. ^ a b Dennis, Noyes; Scott, Michael (1999), Motocourse: 50 Years Of Moto Grand Prix, Hazleton Publishing Ltd, ISBN 1-874557-83-7
  2. ^ a b "Kenny Roberts at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame". motorcyclemuseum.org. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
  3. ^ Amick, Bill (January 1975). "A Man For All Season". American Motorcyclist. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
  4. ^ "The Best Ever--Super Seventies". superbikeplanet.com. Archived from the original on 21 December 2010. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
  5. ^ "MotoGP Legends". motogp.com. Archived from the original on 19 January 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2010.