Clipboard

Clipboard

RACE WATCH

Hamamatsu to Dakar

Suzuki is joining the ranks of those who have Dakar Fever. The company apparently is planning on entering the event next year in a big way: with two-time winner Gaston Rahier aboard. Rahier, who was with Suzuki during his 125 MX world-championship years, will be riding an 820cc Single, said to be based on a soon-to-be-released 750cc production dual-purpose bike. Both the works and and street/dirt models will have dual connecting rods for the single piston. If Rahier can pull off a win, it will be the first time in years that a single-cylinder motorcycle has topped the event.

The “real” Kenny Roberts

Will Kenny Roberts ride the Suzuka 8-Hour next year? Roberts says maybe, although the bike has to be right. “If the motorcycle is not up to my specs, as far as the way it handles and the way in which I can use it to look like Kenny Roberts, then I’m not interested, no matter how much money is offered. Last year I felt it wasn’t Kenny Roberts who rode Suzuka. I couldn't do the things on the bike that I wanted to do. I’m not going to just ride around and be somebody else.” E3