Venezuela boasts two motorcycle racing world champions, and Johnny Cecotto is undeniably one of them. Rising to prominence in the 1970s, Cecotto became a national icon in both motorcycle and automobile racing.
Cecotto demonstrated his speed early on, initially excelling in motorcycle racing. He dominated the Venezuelan national championship in 1973 and 1974 at just 17 years old, and showcased his talent on four wheels at the Daytona 200 before moving to Europe.
In 1975, Cecotto arrived in the United States to compete in the 200-mile Daytona race, stunning onlookers with a Yamaha TZ700. Starting from the back of the grid, he mounted a legendary comeback to finish on the podium in third place. A year later, already a world champion, he secured victory in this prestigious race.
Cecotto’s Dominance in Motorcycle Racing
His path to glory solidified in 1975 when he made his mark in the Motorcycle World Championship. He immediately stood out with a double win in the opening race of the year and finished the season with five victories in the 350cc class – a category no longer in existence – earning him the world title. This achievement made him the youngest champion in history at the time (19 years old), and the first Latin American and Venezuelan to reach this milestone in motorcycle racing.
He added the 750cc title (also now defunct) to his resume in 1978. Throughout six seasons in the world championships, Cecotto amassed a total of 17 victories across all divisions. He retired from two-wheeled competition due to injuries sustained in serious crashes that impacted his performance.
Cecotto was honored to win the Venezuelan Grand Prix of motorcycle racing, held between 1977 and 1979, where the daring pilot won in the 350cc category and finished fourth in the 500cc class (now equivalent to MotoGP).
A Hidden Passion for Automobile Racing
But Cecotto’s talent wasn’t limited to motorcycles; he always harbored a desire to race automobiles. He debuted in Formula 2, where he finished as runner-up.
He then made the leap to Formula 1, competing between the 1983 and 1984 seasons, starting 18 Grand Prix. His best result was a sixth-place finish at the West American Grand Prix, earning him the first point in the premier class and cementing his name as the first Venezuelan to score in Formula 1.
His greatest achievements in automobile racing came in the 1990s, including a runner-up finish in DTM, two titles in German Supertouring, and two championships in Germany’s V8 Superstar series. He also won the 24 Hours of Spa and Nürburgring.
Cecotto’s exceptional career was marked by precocity and versatility. He is Venezuela’s most decorated motorsports athlete and one of the few racers in history to compete at the highest level in both motorcycle and automobile racing.
