Riders for Health
KENNY ROBERTS' LID LAUNCHES RIDERS FOR HEALTH (RfH) FUND DRIVE IN PUGET
SOUND
Special to Sound RIDER! by Bruce Scholten
 What's
the motorcycling equivalent of Princess Di's tiara? It's Kenny Roberts, Junior's
helmet - and it's coming to Puget Sound. One like it was auctioned at Riders for
Health's 1999 Day of Champions in Britain for nearly $12,000.
Unlike the ill-fated Diana, KRjr could win the world 500cc Grand Prix
roadracing crown. Like his father Kenny Roberts, Sr. - "King Kenny" -
did 3 times in the 1980s. (In the 1970s Washingtonians - Jim Pomeroy in
motocross and Stevie Baker in 750cc roadracing - blazed a trail for Californian
KRsr's domination of world roadracing.)
Last year Little Kenny (Suzuki RGV-500) came a few tire shreds of beating
Spaniard Alex Criville (Honda NSR-500). This year's season opened wildly, March
19, as ex-ho-hoper Aussie Garry McCoy (Red Bull Yamaha 500) slid his way to top
the South African GP podium. But Kenny Roberts (skip the Junior, he's The Man)
is America's best bet to beat Max Biaggi (Yamaha YZR-500) and topple reigning
champ Criville to the crown.
PUGET SOUND LINKS
Why's Little Kenny sending a rare signed helmet to Puget Sound? To support
Riders for Health, the charity that has done more than any other to improve
conditions in Africa via training programs directly related to bikes.
 For decades, the World Bank knew 2-wheels could work cheaper & better
than 4-wheelers in Africa. But they wound up as junk outside government
ministries. It took the nuts& bolts sense of Yank bike champs like Randy
Mamola and Kenny Roberts, Sr. to make them work. Now African managers Mohale
Moshoeshoe and Mike Gatton direct training in maintenance and safe riding from
RfH headquarters in Harare, Zimbabwe. That means "zero breakdowns" for
nurses (75% women) riding safely from clinics to treat families and children in
remote villages in Ghana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Nigeria and other countries.
Motorcycles actually save lives in Africa.
Britain's Princess Royal, Anne, is patron of RfH. GP promoters Dorna and the
FIM have joined Panasonic, Ideal Hardware, Honda, Triumph, Castrol and other
firms backing RfH. Stars Mick Doohan, Carl Fogarty and others support this
charity because it reflects brilliantly on racing. But fans are the backbone of
RfH funding.
Around Puget Sound, dealer Jim Boltz rallied RfH support in an interview in
the March SoundRider.
Northwest clubs have welcomed RfH video presentations at recent meets. Dwayne
Ellison and Steve Baker (Email: parts@cyclebarn.com)
are point men at Cycle Barn Sport Riders Club (CBSRC).
At the Washington Motorcycle Roadracing Association (WMRRA) charity liaison
Michael Marionos (Email: mmarinos@netscape.net)
says, "Proceeds from the Oct. 2 race will go to RfH."
Meanwhile, WMRRA and CBSRC plan to sell RfH/World SuperBike calendars and
other goodies from RfH organizers in Britain.
Famed GP trainer Dean Miller got Kenny Roberts - the next likely American GP
champ - to autograph his precious lid. Direct from Kenny's cupboard, it'll soon
be on display at Cycle Barn and other Puget Sound venues. Jim Boltz says,
"Besides KRjr's helmet we could raffle a trip to Day of Champions at the
British GP. Companies in the US and UK can compete. That's how we rate success
in America - going faster or raising more money than the other guy!"
That's the spirit to do well for the sport while doing good in Africa. Do
your part by supporting local efforts for Riders for Health and learning about
it on the website: www.riders.org
Bruce
Scholten is a member of WMRRA and has been scratching & scribbling for Cycle
News and Roadracing World since 1978.
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