‘King Kenny’s R1’ up for grabs!

A special, one-off Yamaha R1 which is to be ridden by GP legend ‘King’ Kenny Roberts at the US MotoGP this weekend is to be auctioned off for charity.

Fans of the three times 500cc world champion will be able to bid for the bike, which features a special ‘Yamaha 50th anniversary’ red/white paintscheme and a selection of Yamaha performance parts, in an auction at Monterrey on August 18 to be hosted by TV star Jay Leno.

Roberts will not only be completing demo laps aboard the R1 at Laguna Seca this weekend, but will also be reunited with his 1980 world championship-winning YZR500. “I’m really looking forward to it,” Roberts said. “As this will be the first very first time I’ve ridden at the USGP and my 31-year-old YZR is ready to go!”

All proceeds of the R1 sale will go to Bailey’s Café, a school of the arts for children in the Bronx, New York.

Yamaha’s Bob Starr said: “This auction is another great part of our activities for Yamaha’s 50th anniversary of world GP racing. To have Jay and Kenny involved in such a worthy cause is a great way to celebrate!”

For more information go to: www.yamaha-motor.com, auctioneers www.mecum.com or www.baileyscafe.org