On August 11, 1973, during the GP race at the Silverstone Circuit in England, New Zealander Kim Newcombe found himself in the lead after just six laps. Approaching turn 15, the brakes began overheating, sending his König 500 careening off the track. Fighting for control, Newcombe was determined to stay in the race as he approached Stowe Corner at uncontrollable speed…
Five years earlier, Kim Newcombe, a marine engine mechanic with a penchant for boat and dirt bike racing, teamed up with renowned German outboard motor designer and specialist, Dieter König. Newcombe took over the development of a defunct motorcycle project built around a boat engine Dieter had conceived.

The heart of the resulting machine was a powerful 500cc four-cylinder, two-stroke boxer engine cradled in a custom frame design. Rather than mounting the engine with the cylinders crosswise into the wind in the style of a BMW airhead, Newcombe mounted the flat-four with the cylinders running lengthwise, keeping the bike narrow, adding length, and creating its characteristic low, elongated look. With its unique engine, sleek fuel tank, and basic cockpit, the bike was a powerful lightweight, producing over 80 horsepower in a sub-300-pound package.

Though a highly skilled dirt bike racer, Newcombe was inexperienced on asphalt. But with few other options, he became the primary rider for König and quickly blossomed into one of the best racers on the circuit.
Word spread of the Kiwi on the German-mad...