Early 1979. The argument burns between Kenny Roberts and the FIM. In this year, the reigning world champion takes on the status of the rebel leader, ready to do battle with the authorities in order to be more respected. This is the story of a fight that forever transformed motorcycle sport.
Let's go back a year. 1978 saw the arrival of the prodigy, who, for his first season in 500cc, captured the world title under his nose and beard. Barry Sheene. The Yamaha official is endowed with a unique talent accompanied by a fine and innovative riding style, directly inspired by the works of Jarno Saarinen.
Beautiful face, fast and charismatic. The perfect cocktail to become the face of a sport well behind the times.
Formula 1. It is important to specify that F1, a de facto competitive championship, has evolved significantly since 1973. The death of Ronnie peterson in Monza in
1978 will contribute to the appearance of new features dedicated to security.
At the same time, motorcycle sports are lagging behind. The discipline has always been less professional, less smooth, but also less evolved. Remember that the Tourist Trophy was still on the calendar in 1976, although none of the championship leaders took part. Moreover, even in 1979, the "world" championship is in reality only a small European championship to which we added a race in Venezuela. In other words, no one has yet had this long-term vision to progress the Grands Prix.
Photo: Yamaha Community
« King Kenny » wants to change things, even if it means falling out with the authorities. During the Spanish Grand Prix, a first altercation arose. The Jarama organizers simply refuse to pay him his departure bonus. Indeed, after missing the Venezuelan round at the start of the season, Roberts had to race to maintain his lead in the championship.
On Yamaha, he masterfully dominated the race (ahead of sixteen Suzukis) but refused the winner's trophy. “You can keep it. I understand you need money”
he said, ironically, to the president of the FIM. This will ultimately earn him a temporary suspension of his points. This warning is far from discouraging the “yellow dwarf”.
On July 1, upon arriving at the Spa-Francorchamps track, the drivers were categorical: The track was impassable. The route had been resurfaced but the hydrocarbons needed to make the tar had been poorly dosed, so much so that the rollers themselves slipped! However, five weeks earlier, FIM officials had given the green light.
At once, Roberts,
Virginio Ferrari, Sheene and Wil Hartog rebel. The Belgian authorities, very annoyed, insisted on cleaning the track all night under the direction of the public works manager Guy Mathot. According to the tenors, this is not enough. On Saturday morning, these few drivers gave an exceptional press conference, stipulating that they would not race.
Thunderclap. Shortly after, fans were outraged by such an outcome. In the Ardennes mountains, several fights broke out and countless supporters were arrested and injured. However, other drivers (including side drivers) maintain their commitment. Dennis Ireland, surprise winner, took advantage of the ludicrous situation.
Photo: Yamaha Community
This is too much. HAS Silverstone, these same pilots announced the creation of a parallel organization, the
World Series, to compete with GPs from
1980
! As incredible as it may seem, Kenny Roberts' plan was shared by the vast majority of the set.
The arguments put forward were simple: More security, more bonuses and two categories. Formula 1 (500cc) et
Formula 2 (250cc). Nicolás Rodil del Valle, president of the FIM, is at odds. Aside from threats, what can he actually do? Take the risk of losing your pilots? Or should it give ground?
The second option is obviously chosen. For the end of the 1979 season, the world federation was forced to let go and increase participant bonuses. It's a victory for Roberts and others. In reality, the World SeriesEdit could never have seen the light of day even though the “King” believed in it. This just served as leverage to make Rodil del Valle break.
If safety is not yet optimal, pilots live better. Roberts, champion 1979 then 1980, changed the face of sport. Of course, other episodes of discontent would follow, in particular the pilots' strike organized in Nogaro in 1982 – also led by Kenny – but overall, the environment is healthier.
Traditionally, the Roberts era . refers when we talk about “old times”. These pivotal years split the history of motorcycle sport in two. On one side the
Continental Circus and its murderous madness, on the other, a colder sport, certainly, but much more professional. In just a few years, “King Kenny” left an indelible mark on us, still perceptible today.
A tall man. Photo: Koen Suyk ANEFO
Cover photo: ANEFO
