Team Suzuki Press Office – November 15th.
A look back at Suzuki’s history as a cotton loom in 1909 to switch to motorcycles and ultimately receive the world’s most prestigious motorcycle award.
CHAPTER 1 – The Beginning:
Suzuki has its historical roots in a different industry. The founder, Michio Suzuki, was an innovator who set up a weaving mill called Suzuki Loom Works in 1909 in the small coastal town of Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Production focused on cotton fabrics.
CHAPTER 2 – 1950s: FROM LOOMS TO ASPHALT:
World War II and the post-war period left Suzuki in crisis and forced extensive restructuring. Because of this unsafe climate, Suzuki decided in 1952 to manufacture its first motorized bicycle.
1952 – the birth of the first motorized bicycle:
The bike called “Power Free” was designed as an economical vehicle for people on a budget. It was powered by a 36cc two-stroke engine that was anchored to a conventional bicycle. Its versatile design allowed it to be driven in a number of different ways. pedaled without engine power or with full or partial engine power.
CHAPTER 3 – 1960s: SUZUKI START RACING:
From the racing debut to the dominance of Degner, Anderson and Suzuki.
1960: The racing debut::
The Tourist Trophy on the impressive Isle of Man was the first race Suzuki took part in. All three Suzuki participants finished the race.
1962: finding success:
An East German driver, Ernst Degner, drove Suzuki to her first win at the Isle of Man TT with a 50cc prototype called the RM62. Degner was instrumental in developing these first Suzuki motorcycles. After fleeing the GDR, he came to Suzuki in 1961 and helped develop their two-stroke motorcycles, using his in-depth mechanical knowledge and skills.
1962: The flying kiwi:
On the final lap of the racing calendar, New Zealander and former rugby player Hugh Anderson Suzuki gave her maiden win in the 125cc class. It happened at the Autódromo Oscar Alfredo Gálvez in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
1963: Mitsuo Itoh:
Suzuki was entering its second full year in the world championship. A development engineer in Hamamatsu, Mitsuo Itoh, took an extraordinary victory at the Isle of Man TT. This memorable achievement went down in history as Itoh became the first and only Japanese driver to conquer the island’s dangerous roads.
1963-1965: Anderson Shines:
Hugh Anderson won the 1963 50 and 125 championships and awarded Suzuki two constructors’ titles in the same season. In 1964 he won his third title in 50cc and a year later his fourth, this time in 125cc. Suzuki seemed unstoppable in the smaller classes, and Anderson confirmed his legendary status on Suzuki.
1966: The Two Cylinders of Hans-Georg Anscheidt:
After the success of Anderson, it was up to Hans-Georg Anscheidt to explode on stage in 1966. The German drove the fabulous RK66, a two-cylinder prototype with a speed of 170 km / h. From 1966 to 1968 he confirmed his dominance in the 50s class for three years. In 1970 Suzuki ended a brilliant time in the small classes when another German driver, Dieter Braun, won the 125cc World Championship.
CHAPTER 4 – 1970s: SHEENE AND THE MAGNIFICENT YEARS::
After their success in the 1960s, it was time for Suzuki to change direction and they began to develop larger capacity motorcycles. Suzuki’s story was to take a dramatic and inspiring turn.
1971: Findlay’s victory:
On August 12, 1971, the Australian Jack Findlay Suzuki’s first win in the 500cc class in Belfast.
1976-1977: The golden years:
Barry Sheene, a young British rider, got into motorcycle racing like a whirlwind and revolutionized the sport. Sheene became the first female driver to become a celebrity off the track. Regarded almost like a Beatle by his fans for his character, lifestyle and unusual behavior, he won the 500 title in 1976 with the RG500. This legendary motorcycle took the first six places in the championship this year. Sheene continued to shine and also won the 500cc title in 1977.
CHAPTER 5 – 1980s, TWO ITALIANS JOIN THE FRAY:
In the 80s, Suzuki turned to Italy to expand their dominance. Marco Lucchinelli and Franco Uncini both proved successful in a private Italian structure with Suzukis, Team Gallina, founded in 1975.
1981: The Mad Horse:
Marco Lucchinelli succeeded Sheene at Suzuki. The charismatic Italian rider, nicknamed “Crazy Horse” for his wild riding style, won the crown with an RG500. Lucchinelli fought hard with a young and unruly American named Randy Mamola, who despite his enormous talent could never get a world title.
1982: hook:
In 1982 another Italian was successful with a Suzuki: Franco Uncini. After five wins that season, he won Suzuki’s second title in a row.
CHAPTER 6 – 1990s, THE MAGIC OF SCHWANTZ:
Another Suzuki talent, Schwantz, had one of the most spectacular driving styles ever seen in the world championship. He put his great talent against his compatriot Wayne Rainey, with whom he had an extraordinary rivalry over the years.
1993: “When I see God, I know it’s time to slow down”:
Kevin Schwantz made history by beating Yamaha and Wayne Rainey after winning the 1993 World Cup with an RGV-500. The Texan had extraordinary charisma and his style remains unforgettable. Not least because of his “full throttle” attitude on the bike and his apparently impossible braking at the limit of physics!
2000: Kenny Roberts Jr .:
The next Suzuki world champion also came from America: Kenny Roberts Jr., son of the famous “King” Kenny Roberts. Despite all adversities, he won the championship in 2000 after a total of four victories. That title, the sixth for Suzuki in the Premier category, was very special as it ended a seven year drought without a crown. Kenny won it ahead of the promising youngster Valentino Rossi!
CHAPTER 7 – THE MODERN ERA:
In 2002 the motorcycle world championship was renamed MotoGP. This wasn’t the only change, however, as new rules introduced 1000cc four-stroke cycles. After one litter a year that allowed both 500cc two-stroke and 1000cc four-stroke engines, it immediately became clear that the latter had more potential, and all manufacturers focused their development in this direction.
2007: First MotoGP victory:
Australian Chris Vermeulen gave Team Rizla Suzuki an epic win in the rain at Le Mans, earning the brand’s first ever MotoGP win.
2015: Back in the game:
After a three-year break from the World Championship (from 2011 to 2015), Suzuki returned to the scene with the SUZUKI ECSTAR team.
2016: Back on the podium:
Spanish maverick Viñales blossomed and scored another win for Suzuki, this time at Silverstone.
2019: Fantastic year:
Alex Rins won two races this season (Austin and Silverstone) and finished fourth in the championship.
2020: Champion of the Century:
Joan Mir has put together a sensational season that shows consistency and maturity all year round to be crowned MotoGP World Champion and put Suzuki back in the spotlight after 20 years. Coupled with the formidable form of Alex Rins, this really was the comeback year for Suzuki – an accomplishment that got even more special as the factory celebrated 100 years since its inception and 60 years in racing.
STATISTICS:
World title – driver
1962 – 50cc – Ernst Degner (GER)
1963 – 125cc – Hugh Anderson (NZE)
1963 – 50cc – Hugh Anderson (NZE)
1964 – 50cc – Hugh Anderson (NZE)
1965 – 125cc – Hugh Anderson (NZE)
1966 – 50cc – Hans-Georg Anscheidt (GER)
1967 – 50cc – Hans-Georg Anscheidt (GER)
1968 – 50cc – Hans-Georg Anscheidt (GER)
1970 – 125cc – Dieter Braun (GER)
1976 – 500cc – Barry Sheene (GBR)
1977 – 500cc – Barry Sheene (GBR)
1981 – 500cc – Marco Lucchinelli (ITA)
1982 – 500cc – Franco Uncini (ITA)
1993 – 500cc – Kevin Schwantz (USA)
2000 – 500cc – Kenny Roberts, Jr. (USA)
2020 – MotoGP – Joan Mir (SPA)
TOTAL: 16