Billy Hamill, the 1996 World Speedway Champion and 2000 series runner-up, will ride under the Team KR banner during the 2001 Speedway season. Why did Kenny Roberts decide to branch out into Speedway? "I'm interested in motorsport in general and I was impressed by the professionalism of the way Speedway is now presented on TV. I'm also happy to be involved with someone like Billy who wants to move his sport forwards." 

In many ways, this link marks a return to his roots for the Roberts Team as Kenny started his illustrious racing career on the oval dirt tracks of the USA. 

Billy Hamill has always been aware that speedway needs to broaden its appeal and that one of the things holding it back in the eyes of other bike-sports is the perceived technical stagnation and irrelevance of the bikes used. Joining Team KR is one way of fighting back. "I'm excited - speedway is on the up but this is a big boost. It's about time there was a link between mainstream motorcycle sport and speedway." 

Hamill will carry the Team KR colours in the British, Polish and Swedish leagues, but the emphasis will be on the Speedway Grand Prix Championship and World Cup events. 

Like team principal Kenny Roberts, Hamill is originally from California but during the racing season bases himself in the UK where he rides for - and captains - Coventry in the British league. Coincidentally, Coventry is the nearest track to GP Motorsports, Kenny’s engineering company responsible for the development of the Proton KR 500cc Grand Prix bike. 

Commenting on the signing John Postlethwaite, Chief Executive of Speedway World Championship rights holders Benfield Sports, said: "This is great news for Billy and great news for the sport. I've worked with Kenny Roberts in Moto GP and I know the level of professionalism he will bring to Speedway."

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