During the race that year someone fell early in this turn and the gas tank came off the bike and fuel was leaking on the racing line. A corner worker ran out to pick it up and in the process dropped it and all the gas spilled on the racing line and formed an 8 foot or so circle on the pavement.

For the first three laps everyone went around the gas, but then Kenny Roberts went through this gas mess on the racing line.

At the post race press conference I asked him about it and he stated his strategy was to “pick up a half second or so by going through the gas on the racing line and clean the tire off by spinning the rear tire up.” It worked……he won

Immediately after he said this, the room went silent for a moment, and every rider there just stared at him……..and for good reason!

I have to think one of the surprises Kenny Roberts had in his racing career along with many road race fans in America also came at Loudon when Gary Scott won the 250 race on the Aermacchi/Harley Davidson with Kenny in second. I was there in the same turn for that one race also….and afterwards I went over to the pit area and observed Kenny simply telling everyone he did his best (keep in mind most fans thought he would win every road race he entered at that time) and Kenny simply added he was looking forward to the next race …..which he did win in convincing fashion.

Kenny Roberts…… my vote for the best motorcycle road racer of all time and I have to believe the rider that would get the most votes from other riders as being the person they would not want right behind them with a few laps to go in any race.

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Sidebar: Few years later, my son would go to the road races with me and at the age 12 or so we went together to the Pocono AMA National. Fake press pass ploy once again of course. When we went to the infield eating area for lunch there he was…….Kenny Roberts sitting at a table eating. My son wanted his autograph, but was afraid to go over and ask so I told him this was a once in a lifetime opportunity and if I was him I would go over and stick my hand out for a handshake, introduce himself and ask for an autograph. He did exactly that …..Kenny was surprised for a just moment at a shy 12 year old doing this…..then shook my sons hand, smiled and gave his autograph and then he talked to him for a few minutes.

My son still talks about it and I have heard him tell this story a few times at DEI where he did the aero work there when they were winning the NASCAR superspeedway races. Everyone that heard this story… knew who Kenny Roberts was and he had not raced for 20 or so years.

Daniel