Kenny Roberts Jr. leads the pack early in the WERA Air-Tech Formula 2 race at Road Atlanta in March of 1991. It marked Roberts’ American pro debut. Roberts Jr., on a Yamaha TZ250, is leading local hero Franklin Knight on his Honda CBR600. D’Aluisio is just behind Knight. (Larry Lawrence photo)
Kenny Roberts Junior made his highly-anticipated American pro racing debut at the WERA Pro races at Road Atlanta in March of 1991.
The 17-year-old rookie was pretty impressive racing in the Air-Tech Formula 2 class. Roberts battled with veteran road racer Brad Sawyer all the way to the checkered flag, with Sawyer just nudging Roberts out of fourth place on the last lap.
Chris D’Aluisio won the race over Nick Ienatsch and Alan Scott (who was Roberts Jr.’s Otsuka Electronics Yamaha teammate).
The Air-Tech Formula 2 class pitted two-stroke 250GP bikes against 600cc Supersport machines. The field was about 50/50, but the 250GP bikes dominated earning seven out of the top 10 spots. Thomas Montano was the top rider on a Supersport bike.
This is early in the race and Roberts Jr., on a Yamaha TZ250, is leading local hero Franklin Knight on his Honda CBR600. D’Aluisio is just behind Knight.
Rider Files 
Jim Filice?
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No it’s KRJR. I know for a fact because I covered the race, plus the easy tip-off – look at the size of the rider.
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I thought the teammate was Filice, but that wasn’t till 1993? Scott was definetly 1991. I hate getting old, can’t even keep the facts straight!!!!
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Are you kidding? I can’t even remember what I ate for breakfast.
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I find myself going back to old programs to make sure I get the correct rider, # and sponsors. Even then I often question myself! And don’t let LL fool you, he knows damn well what he had for breakfast as he’s got a memory like a steel trap!
Great stuff as always my man! Thanks again for the mam….er, memories!
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