Steve Baker (racing driver)

Steve Baker (2016)

Steve Baker at the Classic TT in Assen 2010

Steve Baker (born September 5, 1952 in Bellingham ) is a former American motorcycle racer . In 1977, with his Formula 750 title, he was the first American to win a motorcycle road world championship.

Baker began his racing career on dirt track ovals in the Pacific Northwest . He later switched to road racing and took part in competitions in Canada , where he became three-time Canadian champion. This success led to it for the 1977 Yamaha - factory team was allowed to start. The racing year began with a win in the prestigious Daytona 200 ; this was followed by starts at world championship races in Europe. The 1977 season concluded Baker with the title in Formula 750 and the runner-up in the 500 cc class of the motorcycle world championship behind Barry Sheene . Despite these successes, there was no contract extension in the Yamaha works team, so Baker started the 1978 World Cup season on a private Suzuki and finished the season in seventh place overall.

Towards the end of 1978, Baker suffered an accident with serious injuries on the Mosport race track in Canada, as a result of which he retired from active racing.

After his racing career, Baker took over a motorcycle business in his hometown of Bellingham and regularly attends historic motorcycle racing events.

In 1999, Baker was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame .

Web links

Commons : Steve Baker  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

• Steve Baker AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame (English)
• Daytona 200 Winners Superbike (English)