Pat Hennen. A surname that probably doesn't mean anything to you, and that's quite normal. Nowadays forgotten, the American marked the world championship 500 tsp
of the 1970s. A glorified era, considered the golden age of “Continental Circus”. Yet Pat's story says quite the opposite. Talented and pioneering, everything suggests that he will become the standard of an entire country. A look back at a poignant story.
The sad epic begins in Uncle Sam's country. Born in Arizona, the land is first of all his favorite terrain. In the early 1970s, aged seventeen, he's already hitting the screen.
The possibility of changing to asphalt does not take long to present itself. In 1974, he joined the AMA championship convinced that his experience on dirt would help him reach the top. He is not mistaken. The motorcycle world in the United States became aware of the young man's potential.
If the nation dominated part of the history of Grands Prix, it took a relatively long time to start. At the time of our story, only a select few managed to climb onto a world podium. Exactly : Ronald Grant, one of these precursors, comes to the aid of young Pat.
hens is gradually getting closer to an official handlebar in the world championship. During the Daytona 200 1976, he impresses the paddock by standing up to the biggest names. It was during this year that he exploded into the eyes of the general public. Suzuki, who had been following the prodigy for a while, hired him alongside Barry Sheene et
Teuvo Länsivuori.
According to many observers, Hennen was one of the most talented of his generation.
A truly dream team. Having reached the podium at Assen, his first success did not take long. In Finland, Pat definitely enters the history books. Before the Kenny Roberts, Eddie lawson and other
Kevin schwantz, he becomes the first American winner of a World Grand Prix, 500cc category please.
1977 is approached in the most serene way. But internally, things are not going as planned. Barry Sheene, star of the team, does not look favorably on the American's convincing results. As a reminder, Suzuki Great Britain plays a big role in the competition department.
hens knew he had the best equipment, but not for how long. Author of another victory in England and four other podiums, he once again failed in third place in the championship. A beautiful result, discreet compared to that of Sheene, titled for the second consecutive year.
However, the tide turned in 1978. The icing on the cake: another American, Kenny Roberts, appeared. The pressure doubles on Hennen's shoulders, who is only progressing. He is the only one who can contain the rookie at the start of the season. Only three points separate them before the Dutch Grand Prix, a very important round.
However, Pat won't go there. Nor to others for that matter. Suzuki needed to be represented in Britain, if possible at Tourist trophy. Suzuki GB manager Maurice Knight couldn't convince Barry Sheene to start. “
Bazza » refused categorically for obvious security reasons.
Hennen had, however, signed a clause in his contract at the start of the season, stipulating that he would not start the legendary event. A little before Christmas, Knight makes a phone call to the American. The manager had promised additional equipment, but it could not arrive in time... Unless Pat decided to change his opinion on the Tourist Trophy. Thus, he would benefit from a bonus and be able to buy what he wanted.
The legendary RG500, machine of Pat Hennen and Barry Sheene (among others) at the end of the 1970s. Photo: Rikita
Blackmail, pure and simple. Hennen, strongly influenced, thus participated in the TT. While he leads the event, he achieves the first lap under twenty minutes in history. HAS
Bishopscourt, he hits a curb at 257 km/h. The result is a terrible accident from which he emerges alive,
this is the main.
Alive yes, but in a bad state. The unfortunate man suffered brain damage as well as multiple injuries. The doctors are categorical: He must stop his career. Never again did Hennen drive at the highest level, he who was promised a brilliant future.
Kenny Roberts won his first title in front of Barry Sheene. The latter is not entirely clear in the story, but the affair will be told in a future episode. The early retirement of his sacrificed ex-teammate did not seem to affect him that much to remain polite. History will remember this magnificent driver, who opened the way for the Americans in the Grand Prix. Not even bitter, Pat Hennen recognizes today that nothing needs to change in his career. High class.
