IN
THE
WIND
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REMEMBER WHEN KENNY ROBERTS JR.
BECAME WORLD CHAMPION?
Kenny Roberts Jr. remains the only second-
generation rider so far in the history of the Mo-
toGP World Championship to take the 500cc/
MotoGP title.
Son of three-time 500cc World Champion
Kenny Roberts Sr, "Junior" as he was af-
fectionately known, clinched the title with
two rounds remaining in a tense and nervous
weekend at the 2000 Brazilian Grand Prix
by finishing sixth for Movistar Suzuki, won by
then rookie Valentino Rossi on the Nastro Az-
zuro Honda.
Roberts would never again challenge for
the world championship following his 2000
success and his title defense of 2001 was
nothing short of a disaster, dropping to 11th in
the standings.
Junior's title 2000 remains the last time
Suzuki has lifted the ultimate prize in motorcy-
cling, with their previous title won by another
American legend, Kevin Schwantz in 1993.
Check out this great short FILM by motogp.com
reliving that historic weekend for the Roberts fam-
ily in Rio de Janeiro. CN
AMA NAMES NEW BOARD DIRECTOR
G
ary Pontius, a motorcycle
rider and racer for 45 years,
has been elected to represent
the North Central Region on the
AMA Board of Directors.
Pontius, a resident of West-
field, Indiana, assumes the
seat held for two terms by Jim
Viverito of Chicago, Illinois. The
North Central Region includes
Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin,
Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota,
South Dakota, Nebraska and all
but the southern tip of Illinois.
"We welcome Gary to the
Board of Directors and look
forward to his input on the
important issues facing the AMA
today," said Maggie McNally-
Bradshaw, board chair. "At the
same time, we wish to thank Jim
Viverito for his years of service
on the board, and we hope that
he continues to bring his energy
and enthusiasm to future AMA
activities."
Pontius has worked with AMA
Congress for 26 years as a
promoter.
"My goal is to represent the
membership from my region and
work to make the AMA stronger
for all motorcyclists," Pontius
said. "I have truly enjoyed my
years of racing and riding motor-
cycles. It's been the passion of
my life, and I hope that the next
generation has the same ability
to enjoy the outdoors from the
seat of a motorcycle."
The AMA Board includes 12
members—six elected by individ-
ual AMA members, four elected
by corporate members and two
at-large members appointed and
ratified at the annual individual
AMA member meeting. To view all
board members, click HERE. CN
