Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125828
Page 31 October 2, 1973 Roberts ... Continued from poge 13 the factories compete in a GP race, where, say, Triumph can build one motorcycle really super trick, they could get one rider and he could probably win the race. But now they have to build 200 of them. And they can't afford to build 200 motorcycles. CN: What do you think of having a GP class and a Production class? KR: Well, not necessarily Production, but have a limit on what you can do to them. That would give the privateer something to look fOl'Ward to. The GP class would be everything goes, 750cc or 500cc, whatever they wanted to make it. That way Harley-Davidson and the others could make one motorcycle that was competitive, they wouldn't have to make 200. CN: Are you interested in any sports other than motorcycle racing? KR: Oh, 1 ride motocross and stuff to keep in shape. eN: We mean anything other than motorcycles? KR: Well, 1 don't have time for very many other sports. ) like horses. Golf, I'm taking up golf. CN: Do you know what your handicap is? KR: Yeah.) hit it too hard. CN: Do you have a numerical handicap? KR: No, ) just started playing this year and 1 probably haven't played more than five games. CN: What was your best score? KR: Uh, ninety-seven, ) think. CN: How long have you been married .. Ken? KR: About twelve months. CN: What does your wife think of racing as a career? KR: Oh, I don't know. I haven't asked her. She likes it: she likes coming to the racing. I've got a boy now at home; he's two months old. He'll be racing next month. CN: What's his name? KR: ~enneth Lee Roberts. CN: What about the future? Do you have a plan? KR: Just try to stay on top, try to stay ahead of everybody. This year ) flew 'around a lot so I could be home more. Next year ) think I'll just get a big motor home and travel around the circuit: CN: Plan to take the family along? KR: Yeah, next year. CN: Today you passed three guys in turn one at the start of the heat race. How did you do that? KR: ) just left the throttle on and they didn't. CN: How do you ieel about your relationship with Yamaha? KR: Better than ever. I've always had a good relatiohship with them: they've always treated me well, ) put in a hard ride for them and they treat me good because of it. Pete Shick, the racing manager, has been super aD year: made sure) had the right stuff and everything. Couldn't ask for anything better. CN: You wrapped up the title at Atlanta. What did you think of that disaster? KR: Yeah, it was a disaster, for the riders and the promoter, and the people. ) don't think there will be another race there. And if there is maybe they 'II buy a water truck. CN: What does your father do? . KR: He works for A & A Manufacturing in Redwood City. He helped me out as a Junior, and helped me a lot last year. He's still doing things on my bike, and we've got a Novice racing on a bike of mine; Skip AksJand has been winning at Ascot. CN: Was your dad into racing? KR: No, he messed around with Indian Scouts and all that, but he never actually raced. 1 got involved in racing with a friend of mine, Merle Mills in Modesto. He used to race; he's an older guy, about my Dad's age. And he just thought) was light and little and crazy, an.d that I'd make a good racer. CN: You're still light and little .Are you still crazy? KR: Yeah, still crazy. If) wasn't crazy) wouldn't be racing. CN: Is that a requirement. for a racer? KR: No, actually ) think that racing now requires more ability and knowhow; you just can't get by with a crazy head. Because everybody's competitive, and you have to do everything righi. Your bike's got to be there and your mind's got to be there, one hundred percent. And if they're not you end up seventh or eighth, instead of first through third. CN: This gas been a bad year as far as people getting killed in racing. How do you think it will affect the sport? KR: Well .. .! don't know. People get killed, you know, every day. All the pilots don't quit flying because one of the pilots got killed, and the taxi drivers don't quit wben a buddy gets killed. CN: That brings up the subject of track safety. What do you think about that? KR: I think the AMA have to get on the ball and have people who know what they're doing at these tracks. Like today, they had those disc j,ockeys out there on those stupid little mini bikes, and one fell off. ) thought he was dead: they had no helmets on, nothin'. He was jumping around on his bike, all happy Continued on page 37 wiII presents stuff designed to grab your greenbacks and otherwise deflate your wallet. SPECIAL WHILE THEY LAST $1.50 Carry it whether on your Hodaka or your 10 speed. The ideal way to carry your books to school or your lunch . & spare plugs on the trail. $2.!O. 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