Kevin Schwantz
Kevin James Schwantz, son of Jim and Shirley Schwantz, was born the 19th June 1964 at Paige, in the South of Texas.

The year of his birth, his parents started to sell Yamaha motorcycles. Logically, Kevin learnt to ride very early. As you can see on the photo, he first learnt scrambling.

During his youth, he played football, baseball and basbetball. Later, he played tennis too.
The first motorcycle races he won were scrambling ones. There, he developed a taste for victory. Thanks to his uncle, Darryl Hurst, an important Yamaha agent who used to wear the famous "34" number that Kevin will adopt, he started asphalt races with a Yamaha 600 FJ. He immediatly showed that he was really fast. He took part in the national dirt track championship so as to learn. He won this championship in 1983 in the amateur category. But asphalt attraction was stronger. In 1984, he finished 2nd at the 24 hours of Willow Spring.

Kevin's course of life was boosted by Pop Yoshimura, the japanese engine specialist. In charge of the developement of the new Suzuki GSXR, he needed a man of the calibre of Schwantz. So, in 1985, Kevin weared for the first time the colours of suzuki. In the mean time, he took part in the Superbike championship (in the National category) and won 3 races. in 1986, he took part one more time in the Superbike Championship and at three Grand Prix 500 cm3 in Europe. He finished 2nd at the 200 Miles of Daytona and distinguished during the traditional match between British and American pilots. There, Barry Sheene noticed him.
Schwantz's course of life really began a rainy day of July 1986 in Belgium, on Spa track.

He surprised everyone thanks to his inimitable style on wet and a real talent of tightrope walker (see photo).

He scored 1 point in Belgium and an other one in italy. He finished 3rd of the 8 hours of Suzuka too.

In 1987, when people were waiting for a strong entry of Suzuki in Grand prix Championship, Schwantz stayed in the States while Ito, the factory pilot was developing the new 500 cm3 motorcycle. Kevin took only part in three races in Europe. In spite of 5 victories of Kevin in the US Superbike Championship with Suzuki, Wayne Rainey finally won this championship. Kevin was 2nd.

The total entry of suzuki in the 500 cm3 World Championship took place early 1988 thanks to a new big sponsor : Pepsi. That led Kevin to develop the new motorcycle during the winter. Schwantz won 1988 Japan grand prix and he won the 200 Miles of Daytona.

Schwantz was the first to do an "auto stand ovation" (photo : Japan, 1988). This became part of the history of motorcycle races.

A star was born. Lawson, Gardner, Rainey and Mamola understood that this guy would come and play with them at each race. Kevin won in Germany, finished 3rd in France an in Brazil. But his motorbike was not completly reliable and Kevin had to give up some races. Finally, Schwantz finished 8th of the Championship. However, he decided to keep his 34 number.

1989 was a great year for Kevin : 9 pole positions, 6 victories and 6 lap records.

Kevin faisted himslef and his style on the other pilots. He finished 4th of the championship.

In 1990, Lucky Strike became the team sponsor. King Kevin won 5 races but still gave up races because of falls and broken engines.

In 1991, Schwantz reached 5 pole positions, won 5 races and finished 3rd of the world championship. For 2 years, everyone agreed to say that he was the fastest on the track but he was still not regular enough. His style was full of grace, of elegance, of slidings.

His style was full of aggressiveness. He was a generous pilot and falls were often the sanction of his aerial and risky style.

In 1992, one pole position and one victory only ; the cycle part of the motorbike did not fit him. He finished 4th of the championship.

In 1993, the Suzuki became definitly reliable. The duel between Kevin and Wayne Rainey was the prominent fact of this year. This duel ended the wrongest way it could for W. Rainey. He fell in Italy and was heavily injuried : he could not use his leggs any more.

Kevin became World Champion this year, his dream... But he seemed to have been schocked by the accident of his friend.

1994 was not a good year for Schwantz. Injuried at an hip because of a fall, he did not even finished the season.

Then, 1995 Championship started. But Kevin seemed to be more and more tired. Too many injuries and his friend W. Rainey that he could see every week end in his wheelchair, made him think at his future. During '94-'95 winter, Kevin had announced that he would retreat at the end of 1995. But he fell during winter tests and he was said to retreat at next bad fall. From the first grand prix of the year, his public understood that King Kevin has changed, that he was not the same any more. Even in his favourite track (Japan) under rain (he was usually marvellous with such a weather) Kevin was doubting...
Finally, in June 1995, during a press meeting at Mugello (Italy), Kevin announced his public that he retreated.

At Mugello, near Doc Costa who often cured him after his falls.

He stooped motorcyle competition with one World Champion title but more victories in 5OO cm3 than Roberts, Spencer or Rainey.




Artist rather than tactician, Kevin Schwantz payed an expensive price to motorcycle history but he gave us unforgettable memories.

Thanks for all Kevin !

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