Until the 1970s, North America was considered a backwater with respect to world championship–level motorcycle road racing. European racers viewed American riders as being less talented and rode around in circles on tracks made of dirt. That all changed when Kenny Roberts exploded onto the Grand Prix racing scene and became the first American to win the world championship in motorcycle road racing's premier class. Roberts' success launched an era of American dominance that lasted for nearly 20 years and still echoes through the annals of the sport. This is the story of the legendary American riders who beat the Europeans at their own game, including Freddie Spencer, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Kevin Schwantz, Kenny Roberts Jr., and the most recent American world champion, Nicky Hayden. With additional chapters about the American World Superbike champions and those Americans who competed for the World Championship, this is the story road racing fans have been waiting decades to read.
This official history of the FIM Grand Prix motor cycle racing World Championship, since its formation in 1949, records the action from a sport that has seen massive changes during the last 50 years with Japanese manufacturers eclipsing their European rivals, purpose-built race circuits replacing true road courses and a reduction in the number of Grand Prix classes. In other respects it has enjoyed remarkable continuity, as motor cycle racing has remained the domain of the major manufacturers anxious to promote the awareness of their road machines. Contemporary Grand Prix designs are clearly descended from the bikes raced in the 1950s. This book traces the major trends and developments during the last 50 years and it profiles the legendary riders, teams and innovators that have dominated the sport during this period. Concluding the history is a comprehensive and detailed results section which provides an invaluable source of reference for any motor cycle enthusiast.
Officially licensed and published in the 60th anniversary year of World Championship motorcycle racing, this book presents a fact-packed and statistics-laden year-by-year history, concentrating on the premier class (500cc, then MotoGP) but not forgetting the other categories along the way. Beautifully illustrated and designed, written by acknowledged experts and featuring extensive data compiled by MotoGP’s official statistician – all these elements combine to create a history book with a difference.
Get two guides in one! Prima's strategy guide takes you to the track and gets you ready like a pro in "Ridge Racer V." Inside the same guide you?ll also get "Moto GP: Prima's Official Strategy Guide" to help you become a motorcycle-racing machine. Whether you prefer cars or bikes on the track, this guide will prepare you for any competition that comes your way! "Ridge Racer V" strategy includes: Complete stats and upgrades on all 21 cars Crucial racing maneuvers for every Grand Prix level Special cornering diagrams for the 28 toughest turns in Ridge City Comprehensive drive-throughs for every track, including reverse courses Tips for mastering grip and drift cars Racing tutorials to improve your driving skills "Moto GP" strategy includes: Detailed circuit maps Stats and specifications for all licensed motorcycles and competing riders List of all Challenge requirements and rewards Winning techniques for throttle control and braking Tricks and tips for the best performance on each circuit
People have been enjoying and racing motorcycles since 1901, when the extreme vehicle first emerged on the scene. This age-appropriate book gives readers a comprehensive look at motorcycle racing, with a focus on today’s most popular events, such as Motocross and Supercross. “Fast Fact” fact boxes and sidebars teach readers about the sport’s most famous men and women, as the text includes tips on how readers can get involved themselves. The text concludes with a graphic organizer of the most common motorcycle racing flags.
Valentino Rossi's retirement brings down the curtain on an incredible career in the MotoGP motorcycle world championships. With his nine titles, including seven in the premier class, he is widely regarded as the greatest motorcycle racer ever, and his 26 seasons of Grand Prix racing make him unique across both motorcycling and Formula 1. Rossi has been captivating fans since he won his first Grand Prix at the age of 17 and even in his final season, at the age of 42, he has been riding faster than ever. In Valentino Rossi: All His Races, by top journalist Mat Oxley, each and every one of these races comes under the microscope, complete with perspectives about Rossi's achievements, the controversies, his character, and analysis of his bikes. This is a Valentino Rossi book like no other, with photos by Henk Keulemans, who was shooting grand prix racing when Rossi's father Graziano was winning races. Early days, from karting and minimoto bikes to a first GP win, on a 125 Aprilia in the 1996 Czech GP, then onwards to claim the 125cc world title in 1997. Moving up to the 250cc class in 1998 brought four consecutive end-of-season wins riding for Aprilia, followed by a decisive title in 1999 with nine victories. Grabbed by Honda to race its super-successful NSR500, Rossi graduated to the 'class of kings' for 2000, almost becoming champion that season -- but the following year he sealed MotoGP, for 990cc four-stroke bikes, took over and Rossi immediately reigned supreme aboard his Honda RC211V, securing back-to-back titles in 2002 and 2003, before a surprise departure to uncompetitive Yamaha. Rossi rates his first year with Yamaha, 2004, as his best: defying expectation, he won first time out on the YZR-M1 and took a fourth successive title with nine wins. In six more seasons with Yamaha, 2005-10, Rossi collected three more championship crowns, his 2008 success especially sweet because it involved a fightback after two leaner years. Rossi's move to Ducati looked to be an appetising all-Italian prospect but his two winless seasons there, 2011 and 2012, were disastrous. A return to Yamaha never quite recaptured his greatest glories, but Rossi was championship runner-up three times and came very close to another title in 2015. Beautifully designed and comprehensively illustrated, this book is the complete record of Valentino Rossi's remarkable career in motorcycle racing.
Mike Hailwood has often been described as motorcycling's greatest rider. A superb all-around rider, Hailwood took eight world titles in the 250cc, 350cc and 500cc classes. This lavishly illustrated volume contains coverage of the British Championships and early Continental races in 1959 and 1960; riding for MV Agusta and Honda in 1960-61; back with Honda and four more world titles, 1966-68; BSA and the American Daytona classic, 1970-71; plus his incredible comeback in 1978 winning the Isle of Man TT on a Ducati and winning the Senior TT title on a Suzuki. Foreword by Giacomo Agostini. Hardbound, 10" x 10", 208 pages, 225 b&w illustrations, 16 color pages
This book examines the classic period of Grand Prix racing from 1960 to 1969, and the men and machines involved. Covering the emergence of the Japanese factories and the struggle for supremacy between 2- and 4-stroke technologies, it is a fascinating exploration of the last decade of 'traditional' Grand Prix racing, before significant events changed the nature of the sport forever.
