From a press release issued by American Honda:
Torrance, CA — American Honda and Erion Racing announced today that Kurtis Roberts will compete in round 15 of the FIM 500 World Grand Prix Championships in Sepang, Malaysia on Sunday, October 21.
Roberts will be racing in his first-ever 500 GP on his father’s – Kenny Roberts, Sr. – Proton Team KR three-cylinder 500cc race bike.
“American Honda and I worked out an agreement that allows me to compete in this one race,” said Roberts. “I will be on a different set of tires, which will be a major adjustment for me, but I am excited with the challenge, and look forward to giving my dad and the team 100%.”
Kenny Roberts Sr. is a three-time 500 GP world champion and has two sons competing professionally in motorcycle road racing. Riding for Parts Unlimited/PJ1/ Erion Racing, Kurtis Roberts won the 2000 AMA Pro Honda Oils 600cc Supersport Championship and the 1999 and 2000 AMA Formula Xtreme Championships. Older brother Kenny Roberts Jr. is the reigning 2000 FIM 500 GP world champion and rides for Telefonica/Moviestar Suzuki.
The two brothers have never competed on the same road racing course before, so this will be something new for the whole family. “I’m not going to carry too high of expectations going into the Malaysia event, but I would love to race with my brother if it comes down to it,” said an exuberant Kurtis Roberts.
Next season, Kurtis Roberts will campaign an Erion Racing-liveried Honda RC51 fulltime for the 2002 AMA Superbike Championship.