Kevin Magee (born
July 16,
1962) is a former
Grand Prix motorcycle road racer from
Australia. His career began with production and Superbike racing, at home and in Japan. In
1987, he got his break in the 500cc world championship with three races on the
Kenny Roberts Yamaha team. He raced full time for Roberts as a team-mate to
Wayne Rainey in the next two seasons. He also teamed up with Martin Wimmer to win the 1987
Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race. In 1988 he returned to the Suzuka 8 Hours race, teaming with Wayne Rainey to claim another win.
Magee won his first Grand Prix at the
1988 Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix at
Jarama and the future looked bright for the young rider. However, at the
1989 United States motorcycle Grand Prix, he was involved in a terrible crash with
Bubba Shobert on the cool off lap after the race. Magee was performing a
burn out, where the rider spins the rear tire while keeping the bike stopped with the front brake. The smoke from the burning rubber made it difficult for Shobert to see and he collided with Magee’s bike. The accident ended Shobert’s career. Ironically, Magee would crash at the same spot during the
1990 race, having joined team
Suzuki as
Kevin Schwantz’ team-mate, suffering head injuries that put him out for the season. In
1991 he appeared a couple of times for Suzuki and once for Team Roberts, and had another wildcard GP appearance in 1993. He also entered a few
World Superbike races, winning twice. Magee was never able to capture the early brilliance of his career after his accident with Shobert. He raced in the AMA Superbike series in 1994, for Smokin’ Joe’s Racing with a Honda, before his retirement.