Kenny Roberts Snr 1981 Yugoslavia GP 500cc Trophy

In 1978 Kenny Roberts Snr. made his debut in the premier class of racing, the 500cc World Championship. With a long and successful career on two wheels, Kenny’s entrance to 500cc GP racing was sensational. He won the World Championship in his rookie year and then triumphed again in 1979 & 1980, all while racing a Yamaha. By doing so, Roberts joined an elite class of riders to win three consecutive titles.

Roberts is also a two time winner of the AMA Grand National Championship and one of only four riders in AMA history to win the AMA Grand Slam, representing Grand National wins at a mile, half mile, short-track, TT Steeplechase and road race events.

Owning genuine rider Podium Trophies is next to impossible these days, so this opportunity to own a real Kenny Roberts Snr Podium Trophy is very cool and a part of racing history. In an eleven round 1981 season, Kenny won two races and finished on the Podium on another 3 occasions. Offered here for the very first time is Kenny’s 3rd place finish trophy from the Yugoslavian Grand Prix. Apart from tarnishing at the lower end of the Trophy, it does remain in its original condition.

Kenny personally signed this trophy during one of our recent private signings and this has been obtained directly from Kenny’s personal collection.

Roberts is a true legend in the world of Motor-Racing. After retiring from racing, Roberts first entered a team in the 1984 250cc World Championship with Wayne Rainey and Alan Carter racing Yamaha’s. In 1986 he entered the 500cc class with riders Randy Mamola and Mike Baldwin. In 1990, Roberts secured the financial support of the Marlboro cigarette company, and his team became the official Yamaha factory racing team. Rainey and John Kocinski won the 500cc and 250cc world championships in 1990, making Roberts the most successful team manager in Grand Prix racing at the time. Rainey went on to win three consecutive 500cc world championships for Roberts’ team. After Rainey was left paralyzed in a crash at the 1993 Italian Grand Prix, the Roberts team continued racing with Luca Cadalora as their main rider, but struggled during a period dominated by Honda and their rider, Mick Doohan.

This Trophy is backed by an Autographed Collectables 100% Guarantee of Authenticity, detailed letter confirming the Trophy and direct acquisition from Kenny Roberts Snr plus a photo of Kenny in front of this Trophy after it had been signed.

Trophy Size: 30 x 12.5cm / 12″ High x 5″ Diameter