VOLUME 59 ISSUE 2 JANUARY 11, 2022 P123
have been other dynasties that
achieved great things.
The first to come to mind
has lapsed into abeyance, after
a string of achievements that
likewise completely overshad-
owed humble beginnings. By no
coincidence, the Roberts family
is also American. The land of op-
portunity, indeed.
The Roberts clan's driv-
ing force came from a rider of
overwhelming talent and deter-
grand prix history.
The feat was equaled in 2021,
when Remy Gardner's Moto2
title followed father Wayne's
1987 500cc crown, the first for
an Australian rider.
Nothing else quite compares
with either of the American
dynasties, though there are
plenty of father-son examples.
Barry Sheene, for one, was
brought into bike racing by his
father Frank, a one-time rider
pops making a nuisance of
themselves and in some cases
forcing reluctant sons to make
efforts even if their own ambi-
tions might lie elsewhere. Men-
tors are preferably drawn from
outside the family, from a small
group of professional coaches,
often themselves ex-riders.
The Marquez family is a prime
example. Father Julia was huge-
ly involved in both of his sons'
years or racing infancy, but when
END OF A DYNASTY
and later noted racing tuner
and patron, in an era before
teams other than those of the
major factories. Valentino Rossi
is another whose GP-winner
father Graziano steered his early
racing career, though he'd have
much rather his son had stuck
with four wheels, his own career
having been prematurely ended
through injury.
Nowadays, the role of moto-
cross dad has fallen into some
disrepute, thanks to pushy
Marc and subsequently also Alex
showed exceptional levels of tal-
ents, he sensibly stepped aside,
relinquishing control to former
125 champion and general grand
prix Svengali Emilio Alzamora.
All of which merely lends
distinction to Earl Hayden, the
achievements of himself and his
sons, and the legacy he leaves
behind.
My condolences to the surviv-
ing members of his family, and
my thanks for the memories.
CN
mination. Kenny Senior didn't
go racing to make friends, and
in his early years in Europe that
showed. But the force of his per-
sonality, and his own fertile line in
sharp-edged humorous banter,
changed that over the coming
years, as he grew from rider to
team manager to team owner to
racing constructor—a vision and
ambition that knew no bounds.
The dynasty was affirmed by
his eldest son Kenny Junior, the
first father-son champions in
