Steve Baker (motorcyclist)

Steve Baker (born September 5, 1952) is an American former professional Grand Prix motorcycle roadracer. He is notable for being the first American to win a road racing world championship when he won the 1977 Formula 750 title.[1]

Steve Baker
Steve Baker (2016)
NationalityUnited States
BornSeptember 5, 1952
Bellingham, Washington
Motorcycle racing career statistics
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Active years1977 - 1978
First race1977 500cc Venezuelan Grand Prix
Last race1978 500cc West German Grand Prix
Team(s)Yamaha, Suzuki
ChampionshipsFormula 750 - 1977
Starts Wins Podiums Poles F. laps Points
20 0 7 1 0 122

Motorcycle racing career

Born in Bellingham, Washington, Baker began his career racing on the dirt track ovals of the Pacific Northwest.[1] He then switched to road racing and began competing in Canada, becoming a three-time Canadian champion.[1] In 1976, Baker won the prestigious Imola 200 pre-season race.[2] His good results earned him a factory sponsored ride with the Yamaha factory team for the 1977 season.[1] He began the year by winning the prestigious Daytona 200 before traveling to Europe to compete in the world championships.[1][3][4] Baker won the 1977 Formula 750 title and finished second to Barry Sheene in the 500cc world championship.[5][6]

Steve Baker at the 2010 Centennial Classic TT

He was released by the Yamaha team after the season and competed in the 1978 championship on a privately supported Suzuki.[1] At the end of that season, Baker suffered a devastating accident at the Mosport circuit in Canada that left him with a broken arm and shattered his left leg. Afterwards, he decided to retire from competitive racing.[1]

After his racing career, Baker purchased a motorcycle dealership in his hometown of Bellingham.[1] He was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999.[1]

Motorcycle Grand Prix results [6]
Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Points 15 12 10 8 6 5 4 3 2 1

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

Yr Class Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Rank Pts
1977 500cc Yamaha VEN
2		 AUT
DNF		 GER
3		 NAT
4		 FRA
3		 NED
5		 BEL
2		 SWE
3		 FIN
12		 CZE
DNF		 GBR
2		 2nd 80
1978 500cc Suzuki VEN
3		 SPA
6		 AUT
DNF		 FRA
NS		 NAT
4		 NED
9		 BEL
DNF		 SWE
4		 FIN
6		 GBR
DNF		 GER
7		 7th 42

References
  1. "Steve Baker at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame". motorcyclemuseum.org. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  2. "Imola 200 race results". racingmemo.free.fr. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. "Daytona 200 winners". motorsportsetc.com. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  4. "It Was A Piece Of Cake For Baker". si.com. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  5. "Formula 750 world champions". Racing Memo.
  6. "Steve Baker career statistics". motogp.com. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
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