Ex-Cycle News Editor Gary Van Voorhis On King Kenny Roberts’ 70th Birthday
Sometimes you get lucky and are in the right place at the right time. I got lucky more than once. And unlucky as well.
And you learn damn quick that asking Roberts even a simple question is asking to be slapped down as only Kenny could do. Over the years covering Roberts I felt a lot of sympathy for any track announcer who had to interview KR.
Daytona International Speedway, early 70’s. He wasn’t “King Kenny” yet or even ‘prince Kenny’ but 80y made people notice his style; his speed; and a bit of swagger even way back.
Daytona through the years became a love hate relationship for Roberts, a win some and lose more but not because he didn’t ride the wheels off his mounts.
Before KR went off to the GP wars he was the hero (or nasty Yank if you were a Brit) when racing in the 1974 Easter-time Trans Atlantic Match Race Series.
Roberts reputation as America’s hottest racer preceded him, and the Brits – led by 500ccGP World Champion Barry Sheene – – gleefully anticipated a royal butt whipping.
Whoops. Sheene, the Rolls Royce-driving hero of Britannia, and his mates quickly found out that KR was for real.
As the series raced through Mallory Park and Oulton Park and then Brands Hatch (all tight and twisty ‘scratchers tracks’ in Brit slang) the smile on Bazza’s face (Barry Sheene) disappeared and so did the walkover plans.
Nothing like watching Roberts, wrapped in Old Glory, sitting next to Sheene in the back of a convertible touring the tracks for the riders parade. Steely Roberts playing head games and winning. The team won the series and another chapter in Roberts’ history was written.