Throwback Thursday: Grand Prix on Streets
Larry Lawrence | June 23, 2016
The start of what we think is the 1978 Finnish Grand Prix.
This photo did not have an ID on the back, but several experts looked at it and they all felt this image was from the Finnish Grand Prix on the street circuit at Imatra in the late 1970s (most likely 1978). That’s possibly Wil Hartog (11) out front with Kenny Roberts (1) charging up the inside. Among others in the shot are Virginio Ferrari (15), Takazumi Katayama (8), Johnny Cecotto (4) and Steve Parrish (6). Hartog went on to win at Imatra in ’78. The Finnish race was one of the last vestiges of GP racing on street circuits. While they were often scenic and brought the racing to the people, the courses were naturally very dangerous. Curbs, manhole covers, street signs and light poles were just a few of the obstacles riders had to be cautious of on 180mph GP race bikes. On this circuit, riders actually had to negotiate a train track.
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