Kevin Magee
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Grand Prix Career | |
Nationality | Australian |
---|---|
Active years | 1987 - 1993 |
Team(s) | Yamaha, Suzuki |
Grands Prix | 36 |
Championships | 0 |
Wins | 1 |
Podium finishes | 3 |
Pole positions | 1 |
Fastest laps | 1 |
First Grand Prix | 1987 500cc Dutch TT |
First win | 1988 500cc Spanish Grand Prix |
Last win | 1988 500cc Spanish Grand Prix |
Last Grand Prix | 1993 500cc Japanese Grand Prix |
Kevin Magee (born July 16, 1962) is a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer From Australia. In 1987, he got his break in the 500cc world championship as a team-mate to Wayne Rainey on the Kenny Roberts Yamaha team. He also teamed up with Martin Wimmer to win the 1987 Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race. In 1988 he returned to the Suzuka 8 Hours race, teaming with Wayne Rainey to claim another win.
Magee won his first Grand Prix at the 1988 Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix at Jarama and the future looked bright for the young rider. However, at the 1989 United States motorcycle Grand Prix, he was involved in a terrible crash with Bubba Shobert on the cool off lap after the race. Magee was performing a burn out, where the rider spins the rear tire while keeping the bike stopped with the front brake. The smoke from the burning rubber made it difficult for Shobert to see and he collided with Magee's bike. The accident ended Shobert's career. Ironically, Magee would crash at the same spot during the 1990 race, suffering head injuries that put him out for the season. In 1991 and 1992 he joined team Suzuki as Kevin Schwantz' team-mate. He also entered a few World Superbike races, winning two times. Magee was never able to capture the early brilliance of his career after his accident with Shobert. He retired after the 1993 season.