1976 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season

1976 marked the beginning of the era of Suzuki domination with the Japanese firm taking 11 of the first 12 places in the premier class.^[1] Angel Nieto would take his fifth world title in the 50cc division, this time aboard a Bultaco.^[1] In the 125cc class, it was more of the same with Morbidelli taking another crown with Pier Paolo Bianchi claiming the championship. Walter Villa would claim double world championships in the 250cc and 350cc classes for Harley-Davidson fighting off a strong challenge from defending champion, Johnny Cecotto in the larger class.^[1]

Barry Sheene came to the fore with a dominating championship season in the 500cc division, finishing ahead of his Suzuki teammate Teuvo Länsivuori. Newcomer Marco Lucchinelli impressed as well on a Suzuki but injuries curtailed his performance.^[1] Pat Hennen became the first American rider to win a 500cc Grand Prix, when he triumphed at the Finnish Grand Prix.^[1]

1976 marked the end of an era as it would be the last time the Isle of Man TT would appear on the Grand Prix calendar.^[1] Once the most prestigious race of the year, the event had been increasingly boycotted by the top riders.^[1] The TT finally succumbed to pressure for increased safety in racing events.^[1] The season also marked the end of another era with 15 time world champion Giacomo Agostini winning his last Grand Prix at the season-ending round at the Nürburgring.^[1] As Agostini had chosen the MV Agusta for this challenging track, this win was also the last for a 500cc four-stroke engine.^[1]

Team Constructor Motorcycle No. Rider Rounds Team Agostini-Marlboro MV Agusta/Suzuki ???/??? 1   Giacomo Agostini 1–3, 5–6, 8–10 Team Life International Suzuki Suzuki RG 500 2 9   Phil Read 1–3 Life Racing Team 4 2 3   Teuvo Länsivuori 1–3, 6–9* Danfay Yamaha ??? 4   Billie Guthrie 4 Texaco Heron Team Suzuki Suzuki ??? 5 2 30   John Williams 1–2, 4–6 Suzuki RG 500 7   Barry Sheene 1–3, 5–7 8 3 6 7   John Newbold 6–10 ??? 14   Tom Herron 2, 4 Hermetite Various 6 8 3   Alex George 2, 5 Meuaui Racing Team Suzuki 10 6 5   Jack Findlay 2–8 Team Sarome Yamaha/Suzuki ???/??? 11 8 10   Chas Mortimer 1, 4, 6–7, 9–10 Yamaha ??? 41 17   Takazumi Katayama 4, 6, 8 ??? 12 8 9 11   Karl Auer 1–2, 7–9 Boeri Dainese Racing Team Suzuki 13 14 30 10 12   Dieter Braun 1–3, 6, 8 Esso Yamaha 19 18 25 29   Olivier Chevallier 9 Ecurie Elf Suzuki 21 20   Michel Rougerie 1–2, 6 ??? Yamaha 22 13 16   Bernard Fau 5 Castrol/Jim Findlay Yamaha TZ??? 23 15 19 21   Tom Herron 6–7 Beale ??? 23   Roger Nichols 4 ??? Suzuki 24 52 21 48   Christian Estrosi 8 Yamaha 25   Ian Richards 4 26 41 31 24   Børge Nielsen 3 Suzuki 27 33 28 43 12   Marcel Ankoné 3, 6, 10 Gallina Corse Suzuki RG 500 28 40 26 31   Virginio Ferrari 3, 10 33 40 34 32 30 17   Marco Lucchinelli 1–2, 7–10 ??? 34   Roberto Gallina ??? Riemersma Suzuki RG 500 34 31 48   Wil Hartog 2, 5, 7 Padgett Yamaha ??? 38 26   Jon Ekerold 4 Frankonia Suzuki Suzuki 40 38 18 43 51 22 23 71   Philippe Coulon 3, 7–9 ??? 41 39 19 44 63   Helmut Kassner 5–6 Swaep Motor-Racing Yamaha 43 33 24 20   Víctor Palomo 1–2, 7 Laponder Yamaha/Suzuki ???/??? 51 43 32 27 39 14 29   Boet van Dulmen 8–10 Colemans Suzuki ??? 54 45 25 40 28 22 66   Pat Hennen 1–3, 5–10 56 47 32 35 42 25   Stuart Avant 1–3, 7 Team Venemotos Yamaha Yamaha YZR500 (OW29) 55 3 21 16   Johnny Cecotto 1–3 ??? ??? 57 28 44 27   Max Wiener 9 Source: [2]

Key Regular Rider Wildcard Rider Replacement Rider

Notes

• 1976 Formula 750 season

• Büla, Maurice & Schertenleib, Jean-Claude (2001). Continental Circus 1949-2000. Chronosports S.A. ISBN 2-940125-32-5
• "The Official MotoGP website". Retrieved 2010-07-06.