Joel Robert

 Born November 24th 1943 in Grandrieu, Belgium

 At age 6, his father who was a motocross and speedway man, built him his first bike. A 125cc GILLET.

 At age 16, the federation gives Joel a license (normally at 18 years old) and Joel enters his first race April 10th 1960 with a 250cc ZUNDAPP.

 In 1960 Joel wins his first race at Chimay Belgium.

 In 1961, with an expert license, and a 250 Greeves, Joel has 6 victories and is 2nd in Belgium Championship.

 In 1962, Joel wins 5 victories with 250 Greeves and is Belgium Champion. He enters some GP's and finishes 4th in Switzerland, 6th in Great Britain, 6th in Tchecoslovaquia, 10th in Belgium and 11th in Deutschland. In the winter he trains and races in England.

In 1963, Joel wins 5 victories and is Belgium Champion. He competes in all 250 GP's and at the Deutschland GP, tries the CZ for the first time and makes first contact with the CZ factory. At the end of the season, the Belgium CZ importer proposes to give Joel a factory 250 CZ for 1964.

In 1964, Joel starts the season with CZ. He wins 9 GP's and becomes World Champion at the Finland GP. Joel also wins Belgium Championship.

In 1965, Joel gets his first factory contract with CZ. Some mechanical problems in the GP's but wins 3 GP's and gets 2nd behind ARBEKOV in World Championship and Belgium Champion.

In 1966, contract with CZ. Wins 4 GP's, second in World Championship behind HALLMAN and Belgium Champion.

In 1967, contract with CZ. Wins 5 GP's, second in World Championship behind HALLMAN and second in Belgium Championship. In October, first in Trans-Am and first race at Pepperell MA.

In 1968, contract with CZ. Wins 6 GP's and wins second World Championship. Second in Belgium Championship. Second in Trans-Am.

In 1969, Contract with CZ. Wins 6 GP's and wins third World Championship. Second in Belgium Championship. Third in Trans-Am. At the end of the year Joel signs his first contract with Suzuki for 1970.

In 1970, contract with Suzuki, new team, new bike. Wins 4 GP's and wins fourth World Championship. Wins Belgium Championship. Fourth Trans-Am.

In 1971, contract with Suzuki. Wins 8 GP's and wins fifth World Championship. Wins Belgium Championship. Fifth in Trans-Am.

In 1972, contract with Suzuki. Wins 6 GP's and wins sixth World Championship. Second in Belgium Championship. Sixth in Trans-Am. During training of the 500cc GP in Namur Belgium, gets knee injury and refuses surgery.

In 1973, contract with Suzuki. Bad year, many problems with knee and only gets 15 GP points. 18th in World Championship.

In 1974, contract with Suzuki. More knee problems. 58 GP points and 10th in the World Championship. Belgium Champion.

In 1975, contract with Suzuki (last year). 85 GP points and 9th in the World Championship. Belgium Champion.

In 1976, contract with Puch. Entered limited GP's. 21 GP points and 19th in World Championship. Last professional race at an international race in France with 400 Puch.

More than 250 victories - selections of Motocross des Nations - National Sport Merit in 1965 - Organize until 2000 the motocross of Jamioulx (Coupe de L' Avenir) - President of Union du Pays Noir - Administrator of FMWB -Manager for 10 years of the Belgium Motocross des nations team with 10 podiums - organize 12 HEURES DE LA CHINELLE enduro in Philippeville Belgium - organize the Air Base SUPERMOTO (Air Base Florennes).

See more photos of Joel in the photo vault.

  Tom White, Gary Jones' daughter, Joel Robert, Dave Ekins, Gary Jones, Brad Lackey, Roger DeCoster, Terry Good and  Malcolm Smith

 Joel receives the Edison Dye lifetime achievement award click