Kenny Roberts waits to enter the track at a Grand National race during the 1975 season. Roberts was 23-year-old two-time AMA Grand National Champion going for his third straight championship. He didn’t win it in ’75 though. His Harley-Davidson factory rival Gary Scott came through to earn the No. 1 plate. Roberts’ factory Yamaha vertical twins were at a disadvantage to the Harleys on the flat tracks, that and Roberts suffered through a ton of mechanical issues with his bikes that year. In spite of all that Roberts won more nationals in ’75 than any other rider, with six victories. On the right is Paul Bostrom’s Harley XR. Ben and Eric’s uncle scored three top-ten finishes that season, including a fifth at the Ascot TT National.

Kenny Roberts waiting to take to the track during the 1975 season. That year Roberts won more nationals than any other rider, but lost the championship to Gary Scott. (AMA press kit photo)