Roberts Wins, Loses, Protests

ROBERTS WINS, LOSES, PROTESTS

RACE WATCH

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King Kenny Roberts won in Spain and Yugos1avia to wrest the world 500cc road racing championship points lead away from Suzuki’s Virginio Ferrari. In Spain, Roberts set off a furor when he refused to accept the trophy and winner’s wreath, and instead retired to his motor home. Roberts’ dispute with the Spanish organizers and the FIM centered on start money. According to the FIM rule book, as reigning World Champion Roberts is entitled to 3000 Swiss francs (about $1770). But the Spaniards refused to pay the minimum, so Roberts declined to take any money and refused—on the rostrum—to take the trophies.

In Assen. Holland, Roberts set fast time in qualifying and proclaimed that his Yamaha YZR500 “never worked better.’’ But a monoshock problem that didn’t show up in a final, rainy practice session surfaced on the warm-up lap for the 500cc final, and made the bike almost unrideable during the race. Roberts finished eighth, and Ferrari again had the points lead.

Roberts, Ferrari and dozens of other top riders in all classes refused to race at Belgium because the newly-resurfaced racetrack was oozing oil. While Roberts said that it would have been possible to ride on the track, it wouldn’t have been possible to race on it. For his part in the protest, Roberts was suspended (along with Ferrari) by the FIM jury at the scene. The suspension was later reversed but Roberts and Ferrari were each fined 5000 Swiss francs, about $2950.