Throwback Thursday: Assen Formula 750 (1978)
Larry Lawrence | January 27, 2022
Kenny Roberts Contested Three World Championships That Season
In this week’s Throwback, we dial back the time machine to September of 1978 and the world famous TT Circuit in Assen, Netherlands. Assen hosted the FIM Formula 750 Championship and this photo shows Australian Gregg Hansford (No. 5), on his Kawasaki, leading a field of international riders including American Kenny Roberts (No. 2), Japan’s Takazumi Katayama (No. 20), Venezuelan Johnny Cecotto (No. 4) and another American, Steve Baker (No. 1), who was the defending series champ. Amazingly Roberts competed in three world championships that season and was a race winner in all three. KR won the FIM 500cc Motorcycle Grand Prix title that year, becoming the first American to win the prestigious title. KR also raced a select number of FIM 250cc World Championship races as well as the completely separate Formula 750 World Series. Roberts was the wins leader in Formula 750 that year, winning four 10 rounds, and finished a close runner up in the final standings to Cecotto.
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