Grand Prix Motorcycle Racers: The American Heroes

Description

THIS IS THE STORY OF THE AMERICAN RIDERS WHO CONQUERED THE WORLD. In the 16 seasons from 1978 to 1993, Americans would win the 500cc world championship 13 times, cementing a tradition of U.S.—bred excellence that lives on in the sport today. These are the stories of the American world champions, told through interviews and with input from the riders themselves. With additional chapters on the American riders who competed at the top level of Grand Prix racing and those who won the World Superbike Championship, this is the story American racing fans have been waiting decades to read.

Synopsis

For decades, Grand Prix motorcycle road racing was a world championship in name only, a distinctly European sport run on road courses in the European tradition, with little connection to the dirt track roots of American two-wheeled racing. Then everything changed in 1978 when a hotshot American racer named Kenny Roberts arrived in Europe and proceeded to thrash the establishment, beating the Europeans at their own game and kicking the door open for a generation of racers who would go on to dominate the sport. Grand Prix Motorcycle Racers: The American Heroes profiles the lives and careers of the legendary riders who rewrote the world championship history books. Author Norm DeWitt, with input from the champions themselves, tells the story of Kenny Roberts, Freddie Spencer, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Kevin Schwantz, Kenny Roberts Jr., and the most recent American title-winner, Nicky Hayden. With additional chapters profiling the American champions of World Superbike and the top American stars who competed in but never conquered the world championship, this book is a must-have for every motorcycle racing fan's library.

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