Most influential rider

I think what we have established here is that King Kenny took the sport that was motorcycle racing and basically pioneered it into the sport we know and love today. And he continues his involvement still, what a guy.

But does anybody else have any other suggestions, as far as i can think, other peoples influences have been minor in comparison. you could argue that freddie spencer invented the injury/excuse that is racers wrist/arm pump/carpell tunnel syndrome. What about criville for being spains one and only premier class champion, plenty of spaniards trying to emulate that nowdays.

Or how about this. Randy Mamola, the original class clown. the first guy to really play up for the crowd, make a huge effort to entertain and celebrate victories elaborately. And he continues his invlovement in the sport, co-founder of riders for health, comentating, and riding the two seat bike. I'd say hes done a lot for the sport.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CaptainSnow @ Jan 12 2007, 01:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>King Roberts for President!

I see you quoted me here. Does that mean I'm out of the doghouse?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (basspete @ Jan 12 2007, 01:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>For me I cant decide between Mike Hailwood Kenny Snr and

Totally agree with you about Hailwood, I though about this alot, and frankly, Hailwood was on the very short list. I think he certainly had more success as a rider, and by virtue of his accomplishments impacted the sport; however, King Kenny won out in my mind for legacy and the development of the sport as we know it today.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Jan 12 2007, 02:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>But does anybody else have any other suggestions, as far as i can think, other peoples influences
Interesting. I was thinking of Hailwood. But here is my dilemma. We could easily make a short list of who’s who for the best ever in this sport, but as it relates to “influential” its alittle tuff for me to make a case for the great Hailwood. But if I may be so bold as to say “influential” and “Pioneer” are siblings, then yes, I could make a case for Mike Hailwood as a “pioneer”. His GP career started in 1958, and during that time six plus different makes of motorcycles, most of the time wining races in the 250, 350, and 500 classes. And unbelievably won all three races the same day on several occasions! He did this without the help of an entourage of mechanics and engineers or managers. I can’t remember how many times he won the Isle of Man (10 plus for sure and in different classes: TT125, TT250, TT500s ), and he did this on different bikes, now think about that for a moment, we are talking about a GP champion, which makes him one of the most diverse and versatile riders ever; and in so doing, “pioneered” the sport from obscurity (which was supremely popular in Italy thanks to Ago) and took it into a budding international sport.

I think I'm pretty much in agreement with everyone here with the most influential riders. I really gave this question some thought and I found it incredibly hard to pin point one and I just kept wandering to a group of people, and thats mainly the riders of the 70s/80s especially all the American's that came over and dominated a sport with their revolutionary riding style, guys like Pat Hennen, Kenny Roberts Snr who influenced other greats such as Rainey, Spencer, Lawson and Schwantz. But then that got me thinking about Jarno Saarinen whose career was ended before it could really blossom, I believe he would have been more influential if it wasn't for that crash. But then theres one of my personal heroes, Barry Sheene who pushed forward the safety of the sport with adding (homemade) protection to his riding gear; such as knee padding and back protectors. Hmmm I suppose I best make a choice, I think I'm going to go with...........Pat Hennen for being the first American GP race winner and paving a path for so many greats to come over to race.

Robin, i like what you've written, and i like the way you've got Pat Hennen in there. It was tough for me think about this, because Roberts may not have been the first to do some of the stuff he was credit for, Hennen was the first american, Saarinen leaning inside his bike first, and Sheene campaigning safetey improvements. But King Kenny did all of these things, to a greater level and then did even more. but there seems no doubt that the sport grew up a lot at the end of the 70's early 80's

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Jan 13 2007, 12:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Robin, i like what you've written, and i like the way you've got Pat Hennen in there. It was tough for me think about this, because Roberts may not have been the first to do some of the stuff he was credit for, Hennen was the first american, Saarinen leaning inside his bike first, and Sheene campaigning safetey improvements. But King Kenny did all of these things, to a greater level and then did even more. but there seems no doubt that the sport grew up a lot at the end of the 70's early 80's


I have to agree with this, Ive mentioned jazz bass guitartist Jaco Pastorious before for his quote "It aint bragging if you can back it up" and there are plenty similarities between him and Roberts. Brash Americans who knew they were the best at what they did, but also, they were not nessecarily the first to do many individual things, but they were the ones who put everything together into one devastating package.

But I have to say, I cant chose between him and Hailwood, the guy was amazing.

And I'll finish with a quote from the king himself. I remember him saying something along the lines of "I may have beaten Sheene on the track more, but he always beat me in the post race conferance!"


Pete

Think every1 has named all those in my head.

After Roberts, I would say Sheene. Jumkie pionted out that Roberts did a lot for the working conditions for riders concerning Safety and Prize money, but in that sense I think he was following on from Sheene's work. Sheene was the one who refused to race at the IOM TT, removing the dangerous race from the callender. As people mentioned, there was his attitude to safety gear, and of cousre his "rock star" personality. He was like the Rossi of the 70's. I remember after he died, I was reading an obituary, and I can't remember when or where, but at one GP Sheene burnt down the sub-standard toilet block to force circuit owners to build a new one.
He was also responsible for his own rider protests, aimed at increasing prize money. In some ways, he paved the way for Roberts to really professionalise the sport. But I still belive King Kenny has had a bigger overall impact on GP racing.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Racejumkie @ Jan 12 2007, 09:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Would love to: King Kenny is the "King".
See, that wasn't too difficult was it?

AAron Yates for sure!!!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ogunski @ Jan 16 2007, 09:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>AAron Yates for sure!!!
Joke. King kenny has to be number one for sure. Number two for me has to be Steady Eddie Lawson. To me he epitomized the I dont need a better bike to eat you attitude. Four world championships. He raced against everyone from King Kenny, and Fast Freddie Spencer to Rainey Schwantz, and Gardner. The reason I think he is number two on this list is the fact that finally there is a person (alledgedly) that has even less charisma/personality than Eddie. Dani Pedrosa.

I'd go with Geoff Duke. The original superstar. created the one peice racing suit. oh and faster than anyone.