Pat Hennen has died

Pat Hennen, the first American rider to win a 500cc Grand Prix and the first person to achieve a sub 20 minute lap time around the Isle of Man TT course, has died.

Hennen took his first victory in the 1976 Finnish GP at Imatra and became teammates to double world champion Barry Sheene in the official factory Suzuki squad.

He became a front-running world championship contender, taking three wins and 12 podiums across just 17 races – including victory at the first ever British Grand Prix in 1977. He was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2007.

Hennen set his impressive Isle of Man TT lap time in 1978 aboard a 500cc Suzuki in the Senior TT. Unfortunately, a circa 170mph crash later in the same race ended his career, having suffered a head injury in the incident.

Prior to the accident, he and Kenny Roberts Senior were separated by just one point at the top of the world championship standings, with Roberts then going on to become the first American to win the 500cc Grand Prix world championship.

“I’m still very interested in racing and certainly don’t feel cheated by the sport,” Hennen said in a pervious interview. “I honestly wouldn’t change a thing.”

All at MCN’s thoughts are with Pat’s family at this difficult time.