Ahhh...the 1983 season. Along with the 1967 Agostini-Hailwood duel, the 1983 war between Freddie Spencer and Kenny Roberts will be remembered as one of the bloodiest battles in GP history. Spencer seemed ready to run away with the 500 cc title, winning the first three races and four of the first six. Roberts came on strong in the second half of the season taking the battle down to the wire. In the end, they each took six victories with Spencer claiming his first world championship by two points.
The season came to a head at the penultimate round in Sweden. Roberts led going into the last lap. Heading down the back straight, Spencer placed himself right behind Roberts' tail pipes as they reached the second to the last corner, a ninety degree right hander. As both riders applied their brakes, Spencer came out of Roberts' slipstream and managed to get inside of the Yamaha. As they exited the corner, both riders ran wide off the track and into the dirt. Spencer was able to get back on the track and back on the power first, crossing the finish line just ahead of Roberts.
There are those Roberts fans among us who have yet to forgive the young ursurper to the throne
27 Lawson
6 Mamola
5 Lucchinelli (I think)
35 Haslam
3 Spencer
4 Roberts
