Pilotes de motos de courses de légende

Giacomo Agostini

Phil Read

Carl Fogarty

Kenny Roberts

Goeff Duke

Valentino Rossi

Angel Nieto

Eddie Lawson

Encore plus de

Honda

Kawasaki

Suzuki

Yamaha

Patrick Pons

Patrick Pons Champion du monde

Pour la première fois dans l’histoire des sports mécaniques un Français, Patrick Pons, devient champion du monde en remportant en 1979 le championnat de vitesse moto 750. Des pilotes émérites comme Kenny Roberts, Barry Sheene, Johnny Cecotto, Michel Frutschi, Graziano Rossi (le père de Valentino), Marc Fontan, Raymond Roche... Participent à ce championnat baptisé "Formule 750" par la FIM (Fédération Internationale de Moto) et qui est, même s’il ne fait pas partie des Grands Prix, l’équivalent d’un vrai championnat du monde.

Les courses se déroulent sur deux manches dans lesquelles les pilotes donnent le meilleur d’eux-mêmes, à l’instar du champion 1978 de la catégorie Johnny Cecotto, du Suisse Michel Frutschi et, bien entendu, de Patrick Pons.

Au terme d’une fantastique saison, Patrick est couronné avec 154 points devant Michel Frutschi 132 points et Johnny Cecotto 126 points.

Pilote moto de légende Valentino Rossi au Grand de France 2008 sur Yamaha

Valentino Rossi

Happy birthday, Valentino Rossi - 30 years! | 2005 Valentino Rossi Gallery | 2004 Valentino Rossi Gallery | 2004 Rossi Profile | 2005 Rossi Profile | 2006 Rossi Profile | 2007 Rossi Profile | 2008 Rossi Profile

Stats

• Date of Birth- February 16th 1979
• Weight - 59 kg
• Place of Birth - Urbino, Italy
• Residence - London, UK

Introduction

Career History

Valentino Rossi has had fame and success at an early stage and is a force to be reckoned with in the MotoGP series. He fought through to become the 125 and 250cc World Champion and has since been crowned the 500cc Champion. Rossi won his first title at the age of 15 in 1994, taught by his Dad, Graziano Rossi, one of the most popular Italian riders of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Rossi has broken many records at such a young age and has a great future ahead of him in MotoGP

• 1994 - Italian Sport Production- 125cc Champion (Aprilia)
• 1995 - Italian Sport Production -125cc Champion (Aprilia) and 4th in European 125cc Championship (Aprilia)
• 1996 - 9th in World 125cc Championship (Aprilia) li>1997 - World 125cc Champion (Aprilia)
• 1998 - Runner-up, World 250cc Championship (Aprilia)
• 1999 - World 250cc Champion (Aprilia)
• 2000 - Runner-up, World 500cc Championship (Honda)
• 2001 - World 500cc Champion (Honda)
• 2002 - World MotoGP Champion (Honda)
• 2003 - World MotoGP Champion (Honda)
• 2004 - World MotoGP Champion
• 2005 - World MotoGP Champion (Yamaha)
• 2006 - World MotoGP Champion (Yamaha)
• 2005 - Runner-up, World MotoGP (Yamaha)
• 2006 - Runner-up, World MotoGP (Yamaha)
• 2007 - 3rd, World MotoGP (Yamaha)

Rossi's Records

23 consecutive podium finishes following the victory in the opening round of MotoGP in 2004, beating Giacomo Agostini's previous record which stood for an amazing 35 years. In was August 2002 in Czech Republic when Rossi last failed to reach the podium.

Rossi is in the top five all-time podium finishes in the premier class on motorcycle racing, including the opening round of the 2004 season, he has 55 podiums, 34 of which were victories. His next victum in 4th is Wayne Rainey.

He is the first rider since Barry Sheen to win the opening round for four successive season, Sheen achieved it in 1976. '77. '78 and '79.

He is the first rider in the series history to win back-to-back races for two different manufacturers.

Valentino Rossi Timeline

1979: Rossi is born in Urbino, son of Italian GP rider Graziano Rossi.

1989: Rossi's motorsport career starts when he races go-karts, with his mother Stefani deeming bikes too dangerous.

1990: He wins a regional karting series in Italy with nine race victories.

1991: Rossi finishes fifth in the national karting championship in Parma, but by now he's also taken up racing mini-moto.

1993: Rossi begins road racing riding a Cagiva Mito 125 and claims pole position in Misano and scores his first podium.

1994: Cagiva boss Claudio Lusuardi gives Rossi a factory spec bike and he wins the title.

2000: Rossi quits 250 GPs and moves to Honda winning his first race at Donington Park before finishing second in the title.

2001: Rossi wins the last 500cc premier class world title with 11 wins.

2002: Rossi enjoys his best run of success in MotoGP when he wins in Jerez to spark a run of 7 successive vivtories and 11 in total for the year.

2003: Rossi helps Honda equal its own record with nine wins helping Honda win all 15 races before dropping the bombshell that he is to joi nYamaha.

2004: He wins on his Yamaha debut and takes nine out of 16 races to give Yamaha its first premier class title in 12 years.

2005: He claims11 wins, joining an elite club of five riders to have won five or more premier class titles in Yamaha's 50th anniversary year.

2006: He crashes out in the final race gifting the championship to Nicky Hayden. Rossi remains the most successful rider that year with 5 wins.

2007: After a promising pre-season on Yamaha's first 800cc YZR-M1, Rossi is embarrassed by Casey Stoner's Ducati, his worst season since his rookie campaign in 2000.

2008: Moto-GP World Champion.

Rossi Wins by Circuit

• Mugello - 7
• Catalunya - 5
• Donington - 5
• Estoril - 5
• Jerez - 5
• Philip Island - 5
• Assen - 4
• Brno - 4
• Rio - 4
• Sepang - 4
• Le Mans - 3
• Sachsenring - 3
• Suzuka - 3
• Losail - 2
• Shanghai - 2
• Valencia - 2
• Welkom - 2
• Laguna Seca - 1
• Misano - 1
• Motegi - 1
• Indianapolis - 1

Wins by Manufacturer

• Honda wins- 33
• Honda starts - 64
• Yamaha wins - 36
• Yamaha starts - 82

Wins by Machine Type

• 2-stoike starts - 32
• 2-stroke wins - 13
• 4-stroke starts - 114
• 4-stroke wins - 56

Rossi Appearances (MotoGP)

• Appearances - 146
• World titles - 5
• Wins - 69
• Podiums - 42
• Fastest Lap - 56
• Pole - 41

* correct as at 19th September 2008.

Kenny Roberts

 

pilote-de-motos-de-course-kenny-Roberts-sur-sa-Yamaha-de-course-en-1978.

Pilote-de-moto-de-course-kenny-roberts-750-yamaha-flat-track-Etats-Unis.

 

 

Kenny Roberts arrived in Europe for his Grand Prix campaign in 1978 having dominated racing in the United States. Born on 31st December 1951 in Modesto, California, Kenny Roberts got his mother to lie about his age so he could go racing. Pretty soon the kid was winning races on his 100cc bike by such a margin that he was soon put into the 250cc class on his smaller machine! He joined the AMA national circuit in 1970 as a novice and was picked up by the Yamaha factory while still a junior. Kenny won the AMA Grand National Championship in 1973 in his second year as a 'senior' level rider - a feat which meant taking part in a gruelling schedule of events including: dirt racing on half-mile and mile ovals, TT racing (which was dirt-tracks with jumps), road-racing and short-track racing.

He won the title again in 1974, but by a much bigger margin. By now road-racing was beginning to be the focus of Kenny's amazing capacity for concentration and dedication. He had already raced in the British Trans-Atlantic races and taken on Giacomo Agostini at Imola so it wasn't surprising that he eventually went GP racing full-time from 1978 with Yamaha. To learn tracks faster, Kenny took part in the 250 and F750 races too, which was no mean feat on the punishing and often dangerous circuits of the day. He won the 500cc GP title first time out, winning it the next two seasons as well, making him the first rider to win three back-to-back titles since Agostini. The titles were the icing on the cake in a memorable career which included an amazing rivalry with Britian's Barry Sheene, as well as the classic title confrontation with Freddie Spencer in 1983 which went down to the wire at Imola. 'King' Kenny lost the title to Spencer by just two points.

Retirement after the 1983 season didn't slow him down. He ran a team with Wayne Rainey and Alan Carter in the 1984 250cc championship before taking a few years off to re-enter in 1986 with the Lucky Strike Yamaha team. In 1990 with Marlboro backing, Kenny steered the team to the 500cc championship with Rainey and the 250cc title with John Kocinski. Rainey would emulate the feat of his team-boss and friend by re-taking the title in 1991 and 1992. Kenny eventually decided to go his own way and become a race bike manufacturer in his own right in 1997, but his spirit and determination marks him out as one of the great Yamaha champions.

Race Stats

1. 1964: First race
2. 1969: Oregon State 100cc dirt-track Champion
3. 1970: US National Novice Champion
4. 1971: US National Junior Champion
5. 1972: 4th US National Expert Championship (Yamaha)
6. 1973: US Grand National Champion (Yamaha)
7. 1974: US Grand National Champion (Yamaha)
8. 1975: 2nd US Grand National Championship (Yamaha)
9. 1976: 3rd US Grand National Championship (Yamaha)
10. 1977: 4th US Grand National Championship (Yamaha)
11. 1978: 500 World Champion (Yamaha)
12. 1979: 500 World Champion (Yamaha)
13. 1980: 500 World Champion (Yamaha)
14. 1981: 3rd 500 World Championship (Yamaha)
15. 1982: 4th 500 World Championship (Yamaha)
16. 1983: 2nd 500 World Championship (Marlboro Yamaha)

 

 

Goeff Duke

 

Date of Birth - 29th March 1923

Lancashire born Geoff Duke came to prominence after winning the 1949 Senior Clubmans TT and the Senior Manx Grand Prix. He was snapped up for the Norton works team for the 1950 TT, finishing second in the Junior and shattering the lap and race records on winning the Senior! He took three more victories for Norton before changing to Gilera in 1953. In 1955 he won the Senior, and was declared the first rider to lap at 100mph, but this was corrected two laps later to 99.97mph. His final race was the 1959 Junior when he finished fourth on a Norton. Duke, a six-times TT winner and six-times World Champion took the sport to a whole new level with his professionalism. He was the first rider to wear revolutionary one-piece leathers, was crowned Sportsman of the Year in 1951, awarded the RAC Seagrave Trophy and, in recognition of his services to motorcycling, was awarded the O.B.E. in 1953.

At the start of his motorcycle racing career, Duke was unable to challenge the AJS Porcupine 500 and Velocette 350 of his competitors on his outdated Norton International. The McCandless brothers designed a new frame for Norton, the Featherbed, and it was a vastly superior machine. All that was needed was a rider to make the most of it. In 1950, the 500cc World Champion was the Italian Umberto Masetti on a Gilera. The next year Geoff Duke won both the 350 cc and 500 cc classes. This was due partly to the excellence of the new Norton frame, but above all to Duke's extraordinary skill and his ability to adapt his riding style to the single-cylinder machine.

In 1952, Masetti triumphed in the 500 cc category on his powerful Gilera, while Duke made the 350 cc class his own. The smaller categpries were dopminated until the end of the 1905s by the Italians Bruno Ruffo - who won titles riding Mondial (125 cc) and Guzzi (250 cc) machines - and Carlo Ubbiali.

Geoff Duke aroused further passions when he betrayed Norton and switched to its greatest rival, Gilera in 1953. The englishman then won three consecutive 500 cc Championships on the sophisticated four-cylinder Gilera with twin overhead camsgafts, thus consummating his treason.

Geoff Duke - Career Summary

• 500cc/MotoGP world championships: 4 – 1951, 1953, 1954 and 1955
• 500cc/MotoGP race wins: 22
• Total Career Wins: 33 (22 - 500CC, 11 - 350CC)
• Debut: 1950

Carl Fogarty

Date of Birth - July 1st 1966

Stats

• Height - 172cm
• Weight - 65kg
• Place of Birth - Blackburn, UK
• Residence - Blackburn, UK
• Marital Status - Married
• Children - 2, Danielle and Claudia

Introduction

Carl Fogarty was undoubtedly the king of World Superbikes (especially at Assen) and made it as popular as ever, increasing public awareness as a result of his four world titles. His accident in 2000 at Philip Island was a trajedy that broke a lot of WSB fans hearts. His domiance of the series meant that no one could touch him, his drive, determination and fignting spirit have inspired a lot of riders. It would have been great to see him compete in the MotoGP's but sadly it wasn't to be.

However, his short fuse and arrogance made him many enemies, but he didn't care, winning was his sole objective. If he couldn't win, he would probably rather crash. A true legend that many WSB fans will be hard to forget.

World Titles

• TT Formula One Championship - 1988, 1989
• World Endurance Champion - 1992
• World Superbike Champion - 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999

World Superbike Career Summary

• Superbike wins - 59
• Supbike double wins - 16
• Superbike pole positions - 21

Career History

• 1983 - Debut race at Aintree, Formula- 500, finished 2nd and disqualified
• 1985 - Wins Manx 250cc GP - 3 wins in English 250cc Championship riding a Yamaha
• 1986 - Runner-up in British Formula 2 - 12 wins on a Yamaha
• 1987 - Runner in British Super Two - 16 wins on a Yamaha
• 1988 - World TT Formula One Champion - riding a Honda
• 1989 - 15th in Superbike Championship - World TT Formula One Champion riding a Honda
• 1990 - 18th in World 500cc GP Championship - 19th in World Superbike Championship - Winner of the FIM TT Formula One Cup - Senior TT winner at the Isle of Man TT Races on a Honda
• 1991 - 7th in World Superbike Championship - 3rd in Suzuka 8-hour Endurance - 4th in Transatlantic Match Races on a Honda
• 1992 - Wins first Superbike race in second leg at Donington Park - 9th in World Superbike Championship riding a Ducati - World Endurance Champion on a Kawasaki
• 1993 - 23rd in World 500 GP Championship riding a Cagiva - Runner-up in World Superbike Championship riding a Ducati
• 1994 - World Superbike Champion riding a Ducati, winning 10 races, including 4 doubles
• 1995 - World Superbike Champion riding a Ducati, winning 13 races, including 4 doubles
• 1996 - 4th in World Superbike Championship riding a Honda, winning 4 races 60th in World Endurance Championship - 3rd in Suzuka 8-Hour on a Honda
• 1997 - Runner-up World Superbike Championship riding a Ducati, winning 6 races
• 1998 - World Superbike Champion riding a Ducati, winning 3 races - Awarded MBE in New Year's Honours List
• 1999 - World Superbike Champion riding a Ducati, winning 10 races, including 4 doubles
• 2000 - Retired from World Superbike Racing following an accident in Australia
• 2002-2003 - Team owner of Foggy Petronas Racing

Phil Read

Famously known in racing circles as 'The Earl of Speed', Phil Read was the first rider to achieve the triple honor of winning the 125, 250 and 500cc categories. In all, the Brit wook seven world titles, but for some racing fans he will always be best remembered as one of the original rebels of motorsport.

Born in Luton, England in 1939, this smiling and elegant rider who was a lover of luxury (he went to the tracks with his white Rolls) practically closed the glorious MV world championship cycle. MV called him in 1972, after he had already won five world titles with Yamaha, not only because of his class and experience, but also owing to his disposition. He was combative and meticulous, and impatient of secondary roles.

The 1968 season would go down in history as one of the truly great GP battles. While Giacomo Agostini cleaned up in the larger capacities, Read and Ivy fought for every inch of tarmac in all the lightweight events. By the closing races, Read was set to take the 125cc title while Ivy was on course for the 250cc crown. However, Yamaha were concerned that the fierce struggle between the two riders might stop the team from winning the 250cc title again. As a result, the company decided to make an executive decision: Read would take the 125cc title and would support Ivy in his quest for the 250cc crown. However, after his disappointments of the year before, the more experienced rider decided to disobey his team's orders and took the 250cc title as well. Ivy had to settle for 2nd in both categories and was understandebly furious.

It was precisely this aspect that made him an interesting stimulus for Agostini, who was anything but in disarmament, but who was too fearful of the Japanese offensive.

Read raced in 1972 with the 350, getting good results, and in 1973 with the 500 where, with full leeway, he was able to capture the title with ?Ago? coming in only third. He was left MV?s only leading man in 1974 and confined himself to just the top class, winning the title again without much difficulty. That was the last world trophy for the Cascina Costa manufacturer.

He retired from the World Championship at the age of 37 after 16 years at the top.

Career Stats

• 1964 - 250cc World Champion
• 1965 - 250cc World Champion
• 1968 - 125 and 250cc World Champion
• 1971 - 250cc World Champion
• 1973 - 500cc World Champion, MV Agusta
• 1974 - 500cc World Champion, MV

Barry Sheene

Date of Birth - September 11th 1950

Introduction

Sheen took after his ex-racer Dad, Frank, who also ran a succesful tuning business. Sheene's debut was on a 125 cc Bultlaco at Brands in 1968, although he crashed out after suffering from a seized engine. As a result of his father's links with the Bultaco factory, he was fortunate enough to get a works ride the following season. Sheene purchased Stuart Graham's ex-factory Suzuki 125 cc twin and almost got the 125 cc world title, failing at the final round in Spain being beaten by Angel Nieto.

In 1972 he switch to Yamaha, without success but his luck changed when he switched to Suzuki as an official rider. However, Sheene suffered an horrific accident at Daytona in March 1975 while riding a 180 mph three-cylinder Suzuki. He made a speedy recovery and raced again 5 weeks later. In 1976 on a works Suzuki he won five out of ten rounds to take the world title. An amazing feat as he did not finish four rounds and runner-up at the other. The following year he retained the title by winning six rounds

In 1978 (2nd) and 1979 (3rd) he experienced some great races with Kenny Roberts, who won the titles both years. Sheene then raced with a Yamaha, sponsored by Akai but found that the privateer bike was no match against the works machinery. At the end of 1981 Yamaha offered Sheene a contract and he won the final round in Sweden and finished 4th in the title. In 1982 he suffered a further serious accident while practicing for the Silverstone British GP, again he recovered but failed to make an impact in the GP's. He officially retired in 1984 and emigrated to Australia

A true legend, 2 times 500 cc World Grand Prix Champion in 1976 and 1977 made famous for winning the GP 500 World title and also for two horrific crashes, but continued to race despite all obstacles. He will be sadly missed by all that were fortunate enough to remember his career.

Stats

• Residence - Australia
• Marital Status - to Stephanie
• Children - 2, Sidonie and Freddie

Race Stats

• 1968 - Made debut at age of 18 at Brands Hatch but crashed, but gains 1st win a month later
• 1970 - 125 cc British Champion
• 1971 - 125 cc runner up in British Championship and runner up in 125 World Championship
• 1975 - 1st win in 500 cc at Assen, beating Giacomo Augustini at the last corner. Sevaral months later he crashes at Daytone while doing 170 mph
• 1976 - 500 cc world champion with 5 wins
• 1977 - 500 cc world champion with 6 wins from 9 starts
• 1978 - Loses title to Kenny Roberts, awarded MBE
• 1979 - Loses title to Kenny Roberts again
• 1981 - Last GP 500 win at Angerstorp, still the last Brit to win a GP 500 race
• 1982 - In contention for the Championship up to a horrific crash at Silverstone in practice for the GP race
• 1983 - Makes comeback and returns on a sub standard Suzuki, appears in the film 'Space Riders' based on the GP year
• 1984 - Retired and went to live in Australia

Kevin Schwantz

Kevin Schwantz was one of the most spectacular riders from the 'golden era' of GP racing (1988-1993). Had it not been for bad luck, inhuries and the genius, Wayne Rainey, he would undoubtedly have won more than one world ttle. His style was wild and he often road to the limit. In 1994 Schwantz sustained an injury while mountain biking, followed by a big crash at Donington, left his in a poor state to defend his world title, but still finished fourth. He crashed again at 1995 at Philip Island and he decided to retire, since then he has established his own riding school and driven in the Nascar Championship.

Stats

• 1983 - First road race
• 1985 - 3rd in Daytona 200
• 1986 - Trans-Atlantic Challenge Winner
• 1987 - 2nd in AMA Superbike Championship
• 1988 - 8th in 500 cc Grand Prix World Championship
• 1989 - 4th in 500 cc Grand Prix World Championship
• 1990 - 2nd in 500 cc Grand Prix World Championship
• 1991 - 3rd in 500 cc Grand Prix World Championship
• 1992 - 4th in 500 cc Grand Prix World Championship
• 1993 - 500 cc World Champion
• 1994 - 4th in 500 cc Grand Prix World Championship
• 1995 - Retired from 500 cc Grand Prix

Joey Dunlop

Date of Birth - February 25th 1952

Introduction

Joey Dunlop achieved a huge amount of success at the annual TT races at the Isle of Man, he was an incredible talent that many will never forget. He continued to ride when many would have retired but he continued to win races and will be sadly missed by all.

Stats

• Place of Birth - Ballymoney, Co Antrim
• Residence - Ballymoney, Co Antrim
• Married - To Linda
• Children - Julie, Donna, Gary, Richard and Joanne

Race Stats

• First Race - 1969, Tiger Cub, Magherabuoy
• First TT win - 1977 Jubilee Classic
• 1977 - TT Jubilee Classic winner
• 1980 - TT Classic winner
• 1983 - TT Formual One Champion
• 1984 - TT Formual One Champion
• 1985 - TT Formual One Champion, 250 cc and Senior Champion
• 1986 - TT Formual One Champion
• 1987 - TT Formual One and Senior Champion
• 1985 - TT Formual One Champion, 250 cc and Senior Champion
• 1992 - TT 125 cc Champion
• 1993 - TT 125 cc Champion
• 1994 - TT 125 and 250 cc Champion
• 1995 - TT 250 cc and Senior Champion
• 1996 - TT 125 and 250 cc Champion 1997 - TT 250 cc Champion
• 1998 - TT 250 cc Champion
• 2000 - TT Formula One, 125 and 250 cc Champion

Career Summary

• Five time TT Formula One Champion, 26 TT wins

Wayne Gardner

 

Date of Birth - October 11th 1959

Introduction

The immensely talented Wayne Gardner left a deep imprint to the World Championship, partly due to his immense hunger for victory. His wins and some amazing crashes on the Honds NSR500 earned him the respect and admiration of a generation of motorbike fans and competitors

At the age of 18, in 1977, he began his first season on a second hand Yamaha TZ-250, secured a sponsorship with local motorbike dealer, Karl Praml and made an impression at virtually every event, he either won or crashed.

Gardner had a glittering career racing motorcycles, with significant victories on two and four stroke bikes. When he retired from bike racing in 1992, it was no surprise when he started racing on four wheels, winning some significant victories. He now lives in Monaco with his wife and children.

Stats

• Height - 172cm
• Weight - 73kg
• Place of Birth - Wollongong, Australia
• Residence - Monaco
• Married
• Children - Remy and Luca

Race Stats

• 1979 - 1st Castrol 6-hour, 750 cc class
• 1980 - 1st Castrol 6-hour
• 1981 - 1st, Swann International Series, Australia
• 1982 - 1st Castrol 6-hour
• 1983 - British Superbike Championship, British TT Formula One Champion and ITV World of Sport Champion, UK
• 1984 - 7th 500cc Championship, TT Formula One Champion and Swann International Series Champion, Australia
• 1985 - 4th 500 cc World Championship, 1st Suzuka 8-hour (Japan), ITV World of Sport Champion (UK), Swann International Series (Australia), British 500 cc Champion and MCN Masters Champion (UK).
• 1986 - 2nd 500 cc World Championship, Suzuka 8-hour Champion (Japan)
• 1987 - 500 cc World Champion
• 1988 - 2nd 500 cc World Championship
• 1989 - 10th World 500 cc Championship
• 1990 - 5th World 500 cc Championship
• 1991 - 5th World Motorcycle Championship and 1st Suzuka 8-hour (Japna)
• 1992 - 6th World 500 cc Championship

Mik Doohan's

Date Of Birth - June 4th 1965

Introduction

No rider of modern times has a record as impressive as Mick Doohan's, he won five consecutive titles at a time when the competition was fierce. Mick was determined to finish his career on a high but a crash at Jerez in 1999 ebsured that he would never compete again.

Stats

• Place of Birth - Brisbane, Australia
• Residence - Monaco

Race Stats

• 1984 - Road Race debut, Surfers Paradise Raceway, Australia
• 1987 -Winner of the Yamaha TZR Cup
• 1988 - Winner of both of the newly created World Superbike Championship races in Australia
• 1989 - 500cc Grand Prix debut, Suzuki, Japan - finished 9th in championship
• 1990 - 3rd in 500 cc Grand Prix World Championship on Rothmans Honda
• 1991 - 2nd in 500 cc Grand Prix World Championship on Rothmans Honda
• 1992 - 2nd in 500 cc Grand Prix World Championship on Rothmans Honda
• 1993 - 4th in 500 cc Grand Prix World Championship on Rothmans Honda
• 1994 - 500 cc Grand Prix World Champion on Honda Team HRC
• 1995 - 500 cc Grand Prix World Champion on Repsol Honda Team HRC
• 1996 - 500 cc Grand Prix World Champion on Team Repsol Honda
• 1997 - 500 cc Grand Prix World Champion on Team Repsol Honda
• 1998 - 500 cc Grand Prix World Champion on Team Repsol Honda
• 1999 - 17th in 500 cc World Championship and retired from racing

Summary of Career

• 500 cc Grand Prix starts - 137
• 500 cc Grand Prix wins - 54
• 500 cc Grand Prix podium finishes - 95
• 500 cc Grand Prix pole positions - 58
• 500 cc World Champion - 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998

World Records

• 1997 - Most 500 cc Grand Prix wins in a season - 12
• 1997 - Most 500 cc Grand Prix pole positions in a season - 12
• 1997 - Most 500 cc Grand Prix successive pole positionswins - 12
• 1997 - Most 500 cc Grand Prix points in a season - 340

Eddie Lawson

Date of Birth - March 11th 1958

Introduction

Like Kenny Roberts, an American graduate of the dirt tracks, Eddie Lawson was born in 1958 and from an early age was very much a motorcycle star in the making. He first lept to fame by winning thr 250cc race in 1979 on a Yamaha

His wins in the US Superbike Championship in 1981 and 1982 were commemorated by the much-prized Eddie Lawson Kawasaki Z1100R replica. Coming at such an early stage in his career this is a lasting testament to the impact he made in American domestic racing during the early 1980s.

Suceeding the 'King' Kenny Roberts as the number one rider at Team Marlboro Yamaha was probably the hardest act in racing to follow. But Lawson's great drive and telent saw him through. His records speaks for itself, winning the all-important 500cc world championship in 1984, 1986 and 1988. His forth grand prix crown in 1989 for Rothmans Honda made Lawson the only rider to win the world 500cc title in consecutive seasons on different machines.

He signed for the Italian Cagiva team in 1990 for one of the biggest fees ever seen in bike sport. The Californian's win for the Italian factory at the Hungarian 500cc GP in 1991 was the team's first GP victory in 10 years. Factory boss Claudio Castiglioni was so pleased that he promptly gave Lawson a Ferarri Testarossa.

Eddie Lawson retired from GP motorcycle racing at the end of 1992, to pursue a new career in American Indy Lights' cars.

• Lawson's first GP race was in 1983, his first pole position was in 1984, his first podium was in 1983 and his first win was in 1984
• 1984 AMA Pro Athlete of the Year. 1984 AMA Pro Athlete of the Year
• The most successful American GP rider ever
• Lawson earned 78 podium finishes in his GP career! 31 of these were victories, in the most competitive era of GP racing against the likes of Roberts, Spencer, Rainey, Mamola, Doohan, Gardner and Schwantz History......in detail
  

Stats

• Marital Status - Married

Race Stats

• Debut - 1981 (250 cc), 1983 (500 cc)
• 500cc Grand Prix starts - 134
• 500cc Grand Prix victories - 31, 23% win rate
• 500cc Grand Prix podiums - 76
• 500cc World Championships - 4, 1984, 86, 88 and 89
• Ridden for - Kawasaki, Yamaha, Honda and Cagiva
• Pole position - N/A
• Fastest Laps - N

Freddie Spencer

Friendly, enthusiastic and wildly talented on the track, Freddie Spencer rocketed to fame in 1983 when he became the youngest ever 500cc World Champion. On 4th July - the USA's Independance Day, at the age of 20, he became the youngest ever 500cc GP winner at Spa riding the Honda NS500. Two years later he recaptured the title as well as the 250cc championship winning an amazing 14 races. Ironically, he consider becoming a Protestant minister before turning professional as a rider.

Born in 1961, he first raced at the age of five in TT Scramble dirt track events in Dallas, Texas, USA. By the time he was 11, Freddie had already won ten state titles in short and dirt track racing. In 1972 he made his first foray into road racing, riding in the 0-250cc 'Stock' class on a 100cc Yamaha at Green Valley Raceway in Dallas. By 1977 he had won 12 national road racing championships, competing in both AMA and WERA sanctioned events.

He turned professional in 1978, winning every race in the AMA 250cc Grand Prix novice class. The following season he went on to win the 'Expert' division - finishing in 1st place in all but one race. In 1980, he signed with Honda America to race in the AMA Superbike Championship. He also had his first taste of international racing that year and won the opening races of the Trans-Atlantic Match series on a production based Yamaha TZ750, beating World Champion, Kenny Roberts and former title holder Barry Sheene - both of which had full factory support.

In 1980, he also competed in the European GP in Belgium for the official Yamaha team, qualifying in 6th position. The following year, Spencer signed with the main Honda squad to race in selected GP events as a lead-up to his first full World Championship series in 1982.

In 1983 he returned with a vengeance, winning the 500cc GP title by two points winning 6 races and 6 pole positions on the last race of the season. he played a major role in the development of the new four-cylinder NSR500 for Honda in 1984. Unfortunately, due to teething problems he started only five races but still won four and finished fourth in the championship.

In 1985 he became the only rider to win the 250cc and 500cc titles in the same season. In the smaller class he raced in ten events, took pole six times and won seven races. At 500cc level he qualified first nine times, set nine new lap records and won seven out of eleven races. Incredibly, he also won all three major divisions, 250cc, 500cc and SBK at the AMA National at Daytona. He remains the first and only rider to do so.

Unfortunately, the strain of such competition too its toll and Freddie was struck with severe tendonitis in his forearms. The 1986 season was a disaster and after three years of struggling to finish, the ailement finally finished his professional racing career. He competed again in 1993 but it was a fiasco and at the age of 32 he finally retired.

Race Stats

• 1982 - 3rd in 500cc World Championship
• 1983 - 500cc World Champion
• 1984 - 4th in 500cc World Championship
• 1985 - 250cc and 500cc World Champion
• 1987 - 20th in 500cc World Championship
• 1989 - 16th in 500cc World Championship
• 1993 - 37th in 500cc World Championship

John Surtees

 

The legendary John Surtees occupies a unique place in the history of motor racing. He not only won seven motorcycle world titles between 1956 and 1960, he also switched to four wheels and went on to claim a further crown in the Formula 1 World Championship.

When MV approached him at the end of the 1955 season, young 21-year-old Surtees, who was born into a well-to-do family of motorcycle enthusiasts in Catford, had already won 77 races, mainly with Norton 350s and 500s.

Inventor of a new style that was challenged and that is at the roots of todays riding technique with the body outstretched towards the inside of the curve, he won another six titles in the 350 and 500 classes between 1958 and 1960. Of course they were easy years for MV due to the fact that the leading rivals pulled out. But we have to remember that Big John, as he was called, really ran wild, shattering records previously set on racetracks throughout Europe on a regular basis.

In 1959, Surtees' results were even more spectacular, he triumphed in all the races in both 350cc and 500cc classes. A year later, he won both classes again, prevailing in five out of his six 500cc races. By the end of 1960, Surtees had scored an amazing 38 GP victories on two wheels.

In 1961 he turned to the world of automobile racing, entering the annals of history as the only rider who was ever able to win the world championship title with both motorcycles and cars. Indeed, he won the 1964 F1 title with Ferrari.

Following his long car-racing interlude - first as a driver and then as a builder and engineer - today he has returned to his first love by willingly entering revival races, still fast and a great stylist.

F1 World Champion

Surtees displayed the same passion, skill and professionalism in F1 as he had shown in motorcycle racing. He moved to the Ferarri team in 1963, after first learning the ropes at Lotus and Parnell. It was a smart move, as he was soon rewarded withhis first GP win at the Nurburgring. Just one year later, he was crowned the F1 World Champion. After spending much of 1965 recovering from a major crash, he then left Ferarri midway through 1966. He was apparently fed up with the team's manager, Eugenio Dragoni and the internal politics of the Italians.

In 1969, he became an F1 constructor with his friend, Mike Hailwood. However, the marque never enjoyed the racing success of either of its founders and was closed in 1978. Surtees then went on to become a property and a respected wroter. In 1979, he returned to the Isle of Man to the scene of his first victory and rode an exhibition lap.

He scored more then 350 vitories on both 2 and 4 wheels in a diversity of races. (350cc, 500cc, F2, F5000, F1, CanAm).

Career Stats

• 1949 - Started racing riding a Vincent Grey Flash. He developed it while he was doing his engeneering apprentiship with the Vincent HRD Company.
• 1954 - British Champion, Norton
• 1955 - British Champion, Norton
• 1956 - 500cc World Champion
• 1957 - 3rd in 500c World Championship
• 1958 - 350cc and 500cc World Champion
• 1959 - 350cc and 500cc World Champion
• 1960 - 350cc and 500cc World Champion
• 1964 - Formula 1 World Champion , Ferarri
• 1965 F1 - 5th in Championship Ferrari
• 1966 F1 - (Monaco and Belgian GP for Ferrari), Ferrari; F1 - 2nd in Championship, Cooper, CamAm series Champion, Team Surtees Lola T70-Chevrolet
• 1967 F1 - 4th in Championship, Honda
• 1968 F1 - 7th in Championship, Honda
• 1969 F1 - 11th in Championship, BRM
• 1970 F1 - (South African, Spanish, Monaco and Dutch GP only for McLaren) McLaren F1 - 17th in Championship Surtees
• 1971 F1 - 18th in Championship, Surtees
• 1972 F1 - only Italian GP with no point score, Surtees
• 1973 F2 - winner of Japanese and Imola, Surtees

Steve Webster

Steve Webster is undoubtedly one of the greatest all-time sidecar racers but unfortunately his efforts go un-noticed to many as the sport is not publicised as much as it should be. However, you don't get an M.B.E. for nothing. Well done Steve for your achievements in the industry and keep up the good work.

Team Castrol Suzuki’s sidecar racing legend Steve Webster M.B.E. has announced his immediate retirement from the sport. Amid emotional scenes at the Circuit van Drenthe at Assen, Holland on Sunday, the ten time World Champion announced he was going to hang up his leathers and helmet for good.

His decision calls to an end a magnificent and unparalleled record-breaking career that has seen him rise from a 19-year-old club racer to the most successful sidecar racer in the history of the FIM World Championships.

Steve 'Webbo' Webster MBE won 62 World Championship races on the way to collecting 10 World Titles in a career spanning 25 years from novice rider to the undisputed king of 3-wheels.

Race Career - Facts and Figures

Sidecar World Championship/F.I.M World Cup Wins;

• 1987 - STEVE WEBSTER/Tony Hewitt (GB)
• 1988 - STEVE WEBSTER/Tony Hewitt GB)
• 1989 - STEVE WEBSTER/Tony Hewitt (GB)
• 1991 - STEVE WEBSTER/Gavin Simmons (GB)
• 1997 - STEVE WEBSTER/David James (GB)
• 1998 - STEVE WEBSTER/David James (GB)
• 1999 - STEVE WEBSTER/David James (GB)
• 2000 - STEVE WEBSTER/Paul Woodhead (GB)
• 2003 - STEVE WEBSTER/Paul Woodhead (GB)
• 2004 - STEVE WEBSTER/Paul Woodhead (GB)
• 2005 - Retires from motorsport

  Sidecar World Champion/F.I.M.World Cup Race Winners Merit Table (All-time top ten);

• 1. R. Biland (CH) - 82 Wins - (1975-1997)
• 2. S. WEBSTER (GB) - 57 Wins - (1986-2003)
• 3. K. Enders (D) - 27 Wins - (1967-1974)
• 4. E. Streuer (NL) - 22 Wins - (1982-1992)
• 5. A. Michel (F) - 18 Wins - (1976-1991)
• 6. E. Oliver (GB) - 17 Wins - (1949-1953)
• 7. F. Scheidegger (CH) - 16 Wins - (1959-1966)
• 7. K. Klaffenbock (A) - 16 Wins - (1997- 2003)
• 9. M. Deubel (D) - 12 Wins - (1961-1965)
• 10. H. Fath (D) - 11 Wins - (1960-1969)

  Sidecar World Championship/F.I.M. World Cup Title Wins - 1949-2000 (TOP12);

• 1 S.WEBSTER (GB) - 9 Wins - 1987/88/89/91/97*/98*/99*, 2000/03
• 2 R.Biland (CH) - 7 Wins - 1978/79/81/83/92/93/94
• 3 K.Enders (D) - 6 Wins - 1967/69/70/72/73/74
• 4= M.Deubel (D) - 4 Wins - 1961/62/63/64
• 4= E.Oliver (GB) - 4 Wins - 1949/50/51/53
• 5 E.Streuer (NL) - 3 Wins - 1984/85/86
• 6 H.Fath (D) - 2 Wins - 1960/68
• 6= W.Noll (D) - 2 Wins - 1954/56
• 6= F.Scheidegger (CH) - 2 Wins - 1965/66
• 6= W.Schneider (D) - 2 Wins - 1958/59
• 6= R.Steinhausen (D) - 2 Wins - 1975/76
• 6= Darren Dixon (GB) - 2 Wins - 1995/96

  Steve Webster G.P./FIM World Cup Results

  Wins

• 1986 - BEL
• 1987 - ESP(Jer), GER(Hoc), GB(Don)
• 1988 - GB(Don), SWE, CZ
• 1989 - USA, GER(Hoc), NL, GB(Don)
• 1990 - ESP(Jer), GER(Nur), FRA(Lem)
• 1991 - USA, ESP(Jer), ITA(Mis), A, EUR(Jar)
• 1992 - ESP(Jer), GER(Hoc)
• 1993 - GER(Hoc), SWE
• 1997 - HUN, NL, GER(Hoc), SWE, CZ, CRO
• 1998 - A(Salz), NL, GB(Don), Ger(Osch)
• 1999 - AUS, ESP(Alb), ITA(Mon), A(Zel), NL, GER(Hoc)
• 2000 - AUS, GB(Don), ITA(Mon), ITA(Mis)
• 2001 - GER(Lz), ITA(Mis), GB(BH), ITA(Im)
• 2002 - SA(Kya), GB(BH), Ger(Osch), NL
• 2003 - Esp(Val), Ger(Osch), GB (Sil), GB(BH), NL, NL(2)

  2nd

• 1985 - GER(Nur)
• 1986 - A, NL, GB (Sil)
• 1987 - NL, SWE
• 1988 - GER(Nur), BEL, FRA(Ric)
• 1989 - BEL, FRA(Lem), CZ
• 1990 - USA, ITA(Mis), A, CZ
• 1991 - FRA(Ric), GB(Don), RSM(Mug)
• 1992 - NL, HUN
• 1993 - NL, FIM(Jar)
• 1994 - GER(Hoc)
• 1996 - NL, CZ
• 1999 - GER(Nur), RSM(Mis)
• 2000 - SA(Kya), GER(Hoc), ESP(Val), GB(BH), GER(Osc), GB(BH)
• 2001 - ESP(Val)
• 2002 - ITA (Mon) ITA(Im)

  3rd

• 1984 - GER(Nur)
• 1985 - A, SWE
• 1986 - FRA(Ric), GER(Hoc)
• 1987 - FRA(Lem), CZ
• 1988 - POR(Jer), A, NL
• 1989 - SWE, CZ
• 1990 - YUG
• 1991 - CZ, VIT(Lem)
• 1992 - GB(Don)
• 1993 - CZ
• 1994 - GB(Don)[1st race], GB(Don)[2nd race], CZ, NL
• 1996 - ITA(Mug), GER(Hoc), GB(Don)
• 1998 - CRO, ITA (Mis)
• 2003 - ITA (Mis)

  Key Facts;

  From 172 Grand Prix and World Championship races entered, but 169 race results to date, as 1985 GB (Silv), 1993 Austria (Zelt) and 2001 Australia were cancelled on race day after qualifying due to adverse weather conditions;

• Wins - 57
• Second Place - 37
• Third Place - 27
• Rostrum Places - 121
• 143 Points Scoring Rides/Race finishes
• 121 rostrum places from 143 finishes means 84.6% of Webster’s race finishes have been top three places.
• 40 Pole Position and Wins at same race
• 78 Pole Positions (counts 2003 NL two races as one pole, as only one qualifying session for two races)
• 1st GP - 1983, GB - finished 5th
• 1st Rostrum - 1984, Germany-finished 3rd (5th ever GP)
• 1st Pole Position - 1985, Holland
• 1st Win - 1986, Belgium
• 1st World Title - 1987

  Passengers:

• 1983 - 1989 - Tony Hewitt - 43 races, 10 wins
• 1989 - 1993 - Gavin Simmons - 42 races, 13 wins
• 1994 - Adolf Haenni - 8 races
• 1995 - 1999 - David James - 29 races, 16 wins
• 2000 - Paul Woodhead - 40 races, 18 wins

  World Championship/F.I.M. World Cup* Results:

• 1983 - 16th
• 1984 - 8th
• 1985 - 4th (didn't complete full season due to Assen crash)
• 1986 - 3rd
• 1987 - 1st
• 1988 - 1st
• 1989 - 1st
• 1990 - 3rd
• 1991 - 1st
• 1992 - 2nd
• 1993 - 2nd
• 1994 - 2nd
• 1995 - 19th (only entered one race - last of season, and finished 5th)
• 1996 - 3rd
• 1997 - 1st
• 1998 - 1st
• 1999 - 1st
• 2000 - 1st
• 2001 - 2nd
• 2002 - 4th
• 2003 - 1st

  Steve has won nine World Titles, been runner-up four times, third three times and 4th twice.

  Other titles:

• British Clubman's Champion - 1982
• British Champions - 1985-86-87-88
• British Supercup Champions - 1989, 1992

ANGEL NIETO

Né le 25 janvier 1947 à Zamora (Espagne) :

1967 4° du championnat du monde 50 cm3 (Derbi)
1968 2° du GP d’Espagne 50 cm3 (Derbi)
1969 Champion du monde 50 cm3 (Derbi)
1970 Champion du monde 50 cm3 (Derbi)
2° du championnat du monde 125 cm3 (Derbi)
1971 2° du championnat du monde 50 cm3 (Derbi)
Champion du monde 125 cm3 (Derbi)
1972 Champion du monde 50 cm3 (Derbi)
Champion du monde 125 cm3 (Derbi)
1974 1° du GP d’Italie 125 cm3 (Derbi)
1° du GP en Yougoslavie 125 cm3 (Derbi)
1° du GP en Belgique 125 cm3 (Derbi)
1975 Champion du monde 50 cm3 (Kreidler)
1976 Champion du monde 50 cm3 (Bultaco)
1977 Champion du monde 50 cm3 (Bultaco)
1978 2° du championnat du monde 125 cm3 (Minarelli)
1979 Champion du monde 125 cm3 (Minarelli)
1980 3° du championnat du monde 125 cm3 (Minarelli)
1981 Champion du monde 125 cm3 (Minarelli)
1982 Champion du monde 125 cm3 (Garelli)
1983 Champion du monde 125 cm3 (Garelli)
1984 Champion du monde 125 cm3 (Garelli)
1986 13° du championnat du monde 125 cm3 (Ducados)

Angel Nieto 12 + 1 titres de champions du monde de moto

Angel Nieto en 1982 world champion 125 cc

Angel Nieto champion du monde sur Derby, Espagne