Kevin James Schwantz (born June 19, 1964) is an American former professional motorcycle road racer . He was the world champion of the 1993 FIM Road Racing World Championship .
42-478: Schwantz, whose parents owned a motorcycle shop, learned to ride at the age of four. He began his competitive career as a trials rider, following his father and Uncle, Darryl Hurst (the original 34), in that sport. From trials, he progressed to motocross in his teens, becoming a top regional MX racer. After a serious crash in qualifying for the Houston Supercross in 1983 , he decided to quit motocross. At
84-464: A VN Commodore to several wins in 1990, while Jim Richards also raced an EA Falcon with some success. In 1990 the 1/2-mile (805 metre) Speedway Super Bowl at the eastern end of the Bob Jane owned Adelaide International Raceway also saw NASCAR racing, giving the category the chance to run on both a high banked speedway and a traditional flat short track. The slower Super Bowl was a welcome addition to
126-565: A class for air-cooled monoshock bikes, this covers machines up to around 1990. A competition event is called an "observed trial" or "trial" (not plural), unless referred to as an "observed trials event". A newer name for the sport, MotoTrial, is used by some organizations. However, it was recently dropped by the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme as a name for its observed trials competitions. Outdoor events are called Trial, while FIM indoor events are called X-Trial. As well as
168-2813: A guest appearance on Jay Leno's Garage (Season 3, Episode 10). He was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2019. Source: Points system from 1968 to 1987 Points system from 1988 to 1992 Points system from 1993 onwards. ( key ) (Races in bold indicate pole position, races in italics indicate fastest lap) ( key ) ( Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led. ) 1949 L. Graham 1950 U. Masetti 1951 G. Duke 1952 U. Masetti 1953 G. Duke 1954 G. Duke 1955 G. Duke 1956 J. Surtees 1957 L. Liberati 1958 J. Surtees 1959 J. Surtees 1960 J. Surtees 1961 G. Hocking 1962 M. Hailwood 1963 M. Hailwood 1964 M. Hailwood 1965 M. Hailwood 1966 G. Agostini 1967 G. Agostini 1968 G. Agostini 1969 G. Agostini 1970 G. Agostini 1971 G. Agostini 1972 G. Agostini 1973 P. Read 1974 P. Read 1975 G. Agostini 1976 B. Sheene 1977 B. Sheene 1978 K. Roberts 1979 K. Roberts 1980 K. Roberts 1981 M. Lucchinelli 1982 F. Uncini 1983 F. Spencer 1984 E. Lawson 1985 F. Spencer 1986 E. Lawson 1987 W. Gardner 1988 E. Lawson 1989 E. Lawson 1990 W. Rainey 1991 W. Rainey 1992 W. Rainey 1993 K. Schwantz 1994 M. Doohan 1995 M. Doohan 1996 M. Doohan 1997 M. Doohan 1998 M. Doohan 1999 À. Crivillé 2000 K. Roberts Jr. 2001 V. Rossi 2002 V. Rossi 2003 V. Rossi 2004 V. Rossi 2005 V. Rossi 2006 N. Hayden 2007 C. Stoner 2008 V. Rossi 2009 V. Rossi 2010 J. Lorenzo 2011 C. Stoner 2012 J. Lorenzo 2013 M. Márquez 2014 M. Márquez 2015 J. Lorenzo 2016 M. Márquez 2017 M. Márquez 2018 M. Márquez 2019 M. Márquez 2020 J. Mir 2021 F. Quartararo 2022 F. Bagnaia 2023 F. Bagnaia 2024 J. Martín Observed trials Motorcycle trials , also known as observed trials , often called simply trial or trials ,
210-718: A number of touring car drivers such as Charlie O'Brien , Greg Murphy , Russell Ingall , and the final ever series champion Andrew Miedecke . Other drivers included Bob Jane's son Rodney Jane and his nephew Kim Jane (his brother's son) who were also race winners in both AUSCAR and NASCAR, and in the case of Kim Jane a four-time NASCAR series champion. NASCAR in Australia also saw a number of drivers successfully move from AUSCAR, including Brad Jones who won five straight AUSCAR titles before winning his first series in NASCAR, and John Faulkner . As popular V8 powered sedans became less successful in
252-472: A popular favorite among race fans the world over. His last lap pass of Rainey to win the 1991 German Grand Prix at the Hockenheimring , with his rear tire fish-tailing on the verge of control, typified Schwantz' "do or die" riding style. He culminated his career in 1993 by winning his only 500cc World Championship . After suffering through a crash-infested 1994 season, the injuries he had incurred over
294-477: A score of 2. If they touch the ground three or more times, they earn a score of 3—as long as they complete the section without stalling the motor, dismounting, going out of bounds, or going backward. If the competitor fails to complete the section a score of 5 (sometimes colourfully called "a fiasco") is earned. The winner is the competitor with the fewest points at the end of the event. Some events are also timed with penalty points assessed to late riders. There
336-572: A single round of the series in Adelaide until the series folded in 2001. In 1992, plans were announced by Bob Jane and Channel 7 in Sydney (with help from speedway promoter and Seven's lead motor racing commentator Mike Raymond) to turn the 1/2 mile long trotting track at the Granville Showground that surrounded Sydney's Parramatta Speedway into a banked paved oval, thus giving a third oval track for
378-554: A top speed of approximately 265 km/h (165 mph)). Like in the United States, many of the NASCAR drivers in Australia came from the ranks of dirt track speedway , with drivers such as Barry Graham, Gene Cook, Robin Best, George Elliot, Terry Byers, Neville Lance, Terry Wyhoon, Todd Wanless, and Max Dumesny all being regulars in the series. NASCAR, like the AUSCAR series, also attracted
420-457: Is Antoni Bou from Spain who is also the current indoor champion. He has been the sole outdoor and indoor FIM Trial World Championship champion from 2007 to 2024. With these 36 world titles (18 outdoor and 18 indoor), he is the most successful rider in history, surpassing Dougie Lampkin (7 outdoor and 5 indoor) and Jordi Tarrés who is third with 7 outdoor titles. In addition to the world championship events, there are other major events, such as
462-487: Is a non-speed event on specialized motorcycles . The sport is most popular in the United Kingdom and Spain, though there are participants around the globe. Modern trials motorcycles are distinctive in that they have evolved to become extremely lightweight, lack seating (they are designed to be ridden standing up) and have suspension travel that is short, relative to a motocross or enduro motorcycle. Motorcycle trials
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#1732854837248504-510: Is a world indoor and outdoor championship, as well as indoor and outdoor national team "world cups" ( Trial des Nations ). British competitor Dougie Lampkin is notable for winning seven world outdoor titles in the 1990s and 2000s, the same number that Spanish competitor Jordi Tarrés won in the 1980s and 1990s. Previous observed trials greats include Northern Ireland's Sammy Miller (1960s), Finland's Yrjö Vesterinen (1970s) and Belgium's Eddy Lejeune (1980s). The current outdoor world champion
546-455: Is often utilized by competitors in other motorcycle sports (such as enduro, motocross or road racers) as a way to cross-train , as trials requires fine throttle, balance, and machine control. The event is split into sections where a competitor rides through an obstacle course while attempting to avoid touching the ground with their feet. The obstacles in the course may be of natural or constructed elements. In all sections, regardless of content,
588-662: The 1988 Japanese Grand Prix in the opening round at Suzuka , Japan; it was only his seventh Grand Prix ride in total, having experienced wild card rides in 1986 on the old square four RG500 and in 1987 on the first version of the V4 RGV500. His archrival, Rainey joined the Grand Prix circuit, signing for the Team Roberts - Yamaha squad. For the next six years, the two continued their intense rivalry on race tracks all across Europe. The late 1980s and early 1990s are remembered as one of
630-693: The Australian Touring Car Championship due to Group A being dominated by imported turbocharged cars such as the Ford Sierra RS500 and various Nissan Skylines , NASCAR arrived in Australia at exactly the right time to exploit a dissatisfaction within Australian race fans and crowds were initially promising, although they faded. The installation of lights at the Thunderdome for night racing in 1991 brought crowds back to peak levels and for
672-756: The Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT) and the Scott Trial . Major current manufacturers of trials bikes are Gas Gas , Beta , Sherco , Montesa Honda , Scorpa , TRS and Vertigo. In the past there have been many manufacturers, from countries such as Spain, Japan, Britain and Italy. Classic classes exist for vintage bikes. Classes include pre-1965 or pre-1967 motorcycles (typically British), as well as newer vintage events for observed trials motorcycles with two rear shock absorbers. In most cases, twin-shock motorcycles were manufactured between 1967 and 1985 and are typically Japanese or Spanish. A recent addition has been
714-502: The Expert class championship winner being named British Sidecar Trials Champion. Long distance trials competitions involve a carefully planned route for the competitors to follow, making stops at various locations over a broad area, rather than at just one venue. These events takes place not only on roads but on off-road trails that may be steep, rough and loose-surfaced. As usual, penalty points are given to competitors for putting their feet on
756-669: The Thunderdome at the Calder Park Raceway , modelled on a scaled-down version of the Charlotte Motor Speedway . Australian NASCAR racing was sanctioned by Jane's Australian Stock Car Auto Racing (AUSCAR) authority on behalf of NASCAR in America but the relationship between the two was tenuous and drifted over time. AUSCAR was also the name of the second-tier category with cars based on the Australian made Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon running 5.0L V8 engines . In 1987 with
798-450: The body). Each time a competitor touches the ground with a foot (commonly called "dabs" or "prods"), the penalty is one point. The possible scores in each section consist of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 5. If a competitor makes their way through the section without touching the ground with a foot, they earn a score of 0 (which is called "cleaning the section"). If they touch the ground once, they receive a score of 1. If they touch down twice, they receive
840-622: The completion of the Calder Park Thunderdome extensions the much delayed first NASCAR race late in the 1987 racing season with the first major event, the 1988 Goodyear NASCAR 500 following on February 28, 1988. Initially Winston Cup drivers such as Neil Bonnett , Bobby Allison , Michael Waltrip , Dave Marcis and Kyle Petty visited the Thunderdome but interest waned over time and big-name guest drivers were lured from circuit racing to bolster fields. Star touring car drivers Allan Grice and Dick Johnson were both early supporters of
882-679: The concept, with both travelling to the US to race in the Winston Cup Series, although success was limited. Another touring car star in Kiwi Jim Richards also raced successfully in NASCAR in Australia. At the Thunderdome, the top speed for the NASCAR's was around 300 km/h (186 mph). This compared to the Australian-based AUSCAR's (which while also using smaller V8 engines, ran on road tyres rather than racing slicks ) which had
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#1732854837248924-651: The cut and thrust of the more professional American series. Occasional forays onto other circuit began during the 1990s, first to Eastern Creek Raceway in Sydney before also racing as a support category at the Bathurst 1000 with the cars regularly being faster than the V8 Touring cars on the Mount Panorama Circuits 1.1 km long Conrod Straight, reaching over 310 km/h (193 mph), though overall lap times were approximately 10 seconds per lap slower than
966-429: The designated route is carefully contrived to test the skill of the rider. In many local observed trials events, the sections are divided into separate courses to accommodate the different skill level of riders, who compete in skill-rated classes. In every section, the competitor is scored by an observer (hence the sport's name) who counts how many times the competitor touches the ground with the foot (or any other part of
1008-528: The end of the 1984 season, he was offered a test ride with the Yoshimura Suzuki Superbike team, who promptly signed the Texan to a contract. In his first race for Yoshimura, he won both legs of the 1985 Willow Springs AMA Superbike National. He finished seventh overall in the championship despite only competing in half the races. He finished second to Eddie Lawson in the 1986 Daytona 200 on
1050-609: The final round being held at the Calder Park Raceway. The 2002 season was abandoned after races were held at Mallala, Oran Park and Queensland Raceway due to the collapse of The Power Tour; Andrew Miedecke was leading the championship after Queensland Raceway. Revival efforts continued through the 2000s and 2010s, Bob Jane attempted to get things going with the Holden Monaro, the Stockcar Australia Road Series
1092-519: The ground or falling off. However, these trials can also be expected to have time limits which raise the added possibility of riders incurring penalty points for not completing a particular section or arriving at a destination within the allotted timeframe. Some trials events cater to cars and/or vintage bikes in addition to modern motorcycles. NASCAR in Australia The American stock car racing category NASCAR raced in Australia from
1134-602: The late 1980s to the early 2000s. After strong initial interest, particularly in Melbourne at Australia's only purpose-built NASCAR style paved oval speedway , the Calder Park Thunderdome , the category collapsed in the early 2000s before returning in the 2010s with OzTruck and Stock Cars Australia. Bringing NASCAR to Australia was the creation of four-time Australian Touring Car Championship and Bathurst 500 winner, Bob Jane , whose personal A$ 54m investment created
1176-437: The made for road racing V8 tourers. By the end of the 1990s, the popularity of the series had fallen below viability with rounds cancelled in 2000, and with major sponsors favouring the heavily televised V8 Supercars , the series moved to an exclusively road course calendar in 2001 and was renamed V8 Stock Cars, The 2001 season was a road race series with races at Mallala , Queensland Raceway , Oran Park (twice), Winton , with
1218-464: The mid-1990s, with the cars ran under lights and utilised the shorter 1.96 km road course rather than the 2.6 km Grand Prix circuit. Throughout its run in Australia, NASCAR never ventured west of Adelaide and never went off the mainland which limited its audience (though this didn't stop Tasmanian drivers from competing, such as the winner of the first two Australian championships, Robin Best). It
1260-399: The most competitive eras of Grand Prix racing with a field rich in talent that included Rainey, Wayne Gardner , Mick Doohan , Eddie Lawson and Randy Mamola . He was often at a disadvantage in that his Suzukis never seemed to be as fast as those of his Yamaha and Honda mounted rivals. His determination to win at all cost meant that he seemed to crash as often as he won. This trait made him
1302-496: The new Suzuki GSX-R750 . Then, in what would become an all too common occurrence throughout his career, he broke his collarbone in a qualifying crash and missed several races. Once again he finished seventh overall in the Championship. The 1987 Superbike National Championship marked the beginning of Schwantz' fiercely competitive rivalry with Wayne Rainey . The two battled throughout the entire season, often coming into contact on
Kevin Schwantz - Misplaced Pages Continue
1344-504: The next five years enjoyed success. This success was limited though with only one circuit available. While most of the cars used were those seen in America at the time such as the Chevrolet Monte Carlo , Chevrolet Lumina, Ford Thunderbird , Oldsmobile Cutlass , Oldsmobile Delta 88 , Buick LeSabre , and Pontiac Grand Prix , locally developed Holden Commodore 's and Ford Falcon 's were also raced with Allan Grice notably driving
1386-475: The passenger is to balance the sidecar and prevent the sidecar wheel from lifting which would cause the driver to restablise the outfit by using his foot (incurring a score of 1). Sidecar Trials is predominantly British, however there are events run in Europe and Australia. The British Championship is the highest level of competition, held over 10 rounds with 3 difficulty levels; Clubman, Intermediate & Expert, with
1428-636: The second most successful American roadracer behind Eddie Lawson. In a display of respect, the FIM retired his racing number (34) as a testament to his popularity. In the late 1990s, Schwantz ran a couple of seasons of the Australian NASCAR Championship before returning home to the United States where he competed in the NASCAR Busch Series , running 18 races with two top tens, an ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series event, and touring car races. Schwantz
1470-521: The series as it offered a new challenge with its short straights and much tighter turns which unlike the 24° banking at the Dome that allowed for high speed, was only 7° at AIR. When compared to the much faster Thunderdome, the Bowl earned the reputation of a bull-ring (NASCAR's lapped the Thunderdome at over 140 mph (225 km/h) while lapping Adelaide at around 78 mph (126 km/h)). NASCAR continued to run
1512-553: The series to use. However, the plans never got past the planning stage. The Australian NASCARs were supporters of the Gold Coast Indy 300 run by CART on the Surfers Paradise Street Circuit during the early years when CAMS sanctioned categories ignored the race meeting in 1992 giving the category its first run on a road course in Australia. NASCARs only other regular stop became Sydney's Oran Park Raceway from
1554-633: The track. Rainey eventually won the National Championship but Schwantz closed the season winning five out of six races. So intense was their rivalry that they continued their battle during the 1987 Transatlantic Trophy match races in which they were supposedly teammates competing against a team of British riders. Schwantz began 1988 by winning the season-opening Daytona 200 in what would be his only win in that prestigious event. He then departed for Europe as Suzuki promoted him to its 500cc Grand Prix team where he made an immediate impact by winning
1596-419: The traditional solo motorcycle trials, there is a form of the sport on 3 wheels known as Sidecar Trials consisting of a driver and a passenger. The competition is run in the same way as a standard motorcycle trial with the only exception being additional ways to be given a score of 5. This involves the passenger, who will earn the competitor a 5 if any part of the passenger's body touches any terrain. The role of
1638-425: The years began to take their toll on him, as did the career ending injuries suffered by his rival Rainey, at the 1993 Italian Grand Prix that left him paralyzed from the chest down. Early in the 1995 season, after a conversation with Rainey, Schwantz decided to retire from motorcycle competition. Schwantz had accumulated 25 Grands Prix wins during his career, one more than his great rival, Wayne Rainey. This made him
1680-522: Was at Oran Park in 1995 where 1993 500cc Grand Prix motorcycle World Champion, American Kevin Schwantz , made his NASCAR debut. Schwantz won that race at Oran Park driving a Chevrolet Lumina and later went on to be a regular in the NASCAR Busch Series in the United States, chose to "cut his teeth" in the more relaxed Australian championship to gain valuable experience rather than jump straight into
1722-605: Was attempted followed by Historic Stock Car Racing Series Australia and a revival finally gained some traction with the introduction of OzTrucks to Australia before Stock Cars Australia arrived on the scene under the leadership of Brian Walden before Zac O'Hara taken over leadership duties and brought Stock Car racing home to Calder Park Raceway in August 2023. Stock Cars Australia is currently holding stock car races in Australia, they race at locations such as One Raceway, Sydney Motorsport Park, Winton Raceway and Calder Park Raceway, they use
Kevin Schwantz - Misplaced Pages Continue
1764-790: Was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999. The FIM named him a Grand Prix "Legend" in 2000. Schwantz co-designed the Circuit of the Americas racetrack with Tavo Hellmund and German architect and circuit designer Hermann Tilke . Schwantz has operated a riding school since circa 2001 in Birmingham , Alabama . In 2003, he was featured in the motorcycle racing documentary film Faster . In 2011, he rode Marco Simoncelli 's bike in his honor in Valencia, Spain . In 2017, he made
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