Pat Hennen, arguably the original Grand Prix hero of the US, has died aged 70 on 6 April. Hennen became the first American rider to win a 500cc Grand Prix in 1976, the Finnish GP at Imatra. Imatra now forms a part of the international road racing scene, along with other races like the Macau Grand Prix and the Isle of Man TT, the latter of which Hennen elected to race in 1978 in the middle of a season in which it is believed he could have been champion. That year, he finished second at the first round of the season in Venezuela, before winning at the Spanish Grand Prix in Jarama. A retirement in Austria was followed by two second places at the French Grand Prix at Nogaro, and the Nations Grand Prix at Mugello.
