Gennady Liubimsky, Former Yoshimura Suzuki Superbike Rider, Dies at 62
Larry Lawrence | September 25, 2016
Friends Created this memorial photo of former road racer Gennady Liubimsky
Gennady Liubimsky, a leading AMA 250 Grand Prix rider in the late 1970s who later raced AMA Superbike with Yoshimura Suzuki, died on September 5 according to his wife Larisa. He was 62.
Gennady, who lived in Pacifica, California, went fishing that morning on the Russian River and was spotted later that afternoon by a kayaker and was pulled from the river unresponsive.
“It is a shock and a mystery,” said his wife. “He was a strong swimmer and had been to the doctor just two weeks before for a physical and he was in good condition. They don’t know if he somehow fell and drowned or if he had some other issue like a heart attack or stroke. They said it may be several more weeks before we know for sure.”
Liubimsky racing a Yoshimura Suzuki (No. 69) in the AMA Superbike race at Laguna Seca in 1981. (Cycle News Collection)
Liubimsky was survived by his wife Larisa Liubimsky and a step-daughter Daria Myakonkova.
Liubimsky emerged from the AFM club ranks to become a top AMA 250 Grand Prix rider. He scored a national podium when he finished third in the AMA 250GP race at Sears Point (now Sonoma Raceway) in 1979. He finished third in the championship that year behind Freddie Spencer and Eddie Lawson.
In 1981 Liubimsky raced select AMA Superbike races with Yoshimura Suzuki. He scored three top-five finishes and finished ranked seventh in the final 1981 standings. He also raced a few AMA Formula One races and finished fourth in that class at Road Atlanta in 1980.
A memorial service was held Saturday in Pacifica for Liubimsky and Larisa reported that many of his old racing friends attended.