Antonio Cobas
Encyclopedia
Antonio Cobas was a Spanish Grand Prix
motorcycle
designer, constructor and mechanic
who built world championship winning motorcycles. Cobas was credited with being the originator of the modern, aluminum frame
chassis now used on many modern racing and production motorcycles.
In the early 1980s, racing motorcycles still used steel-tubed frames developed in the 1950s. As motorcycle engine and tire technology progressed, motorcycle frames became more and more stressed. In 1982, Cobas developed a stronger and lighter aluminum twin-beam chassis to replace the steel backbone frames. The technology was copied by major motorcycle manufacturers and by the 1990s, all the major racing teams in Grand Prix competition used the aluminum frame design pioneered by Cobas.
Cobas began constructing racing motorcycles named Sirokas in 1978, which were successful in the Spanish road race
national championships. In 1982
, he created the Kobas brand motorcycle designing his own chassis powered by Rotax
engines. Spanish rider Sito Pons rode a Kobas to a third place at the 1982 Finnish Grand Prix
and followed that with a fourth place at the Czechoslovakian Grand Prix
. The following year, Carlos Cardús
won the 250cc European Championship riding a Kobas.
In 1983, Cobas formed a new motorcycle company named JJ Cobas. Pons would ride a JJ Cobas motorcycle in the 1984
250cc world championship, garnering their first Grand Prix victory with a win at the 1984 Spanish Grand Prix
and, ended the season in fourth place in the championship. Even greater success came in 1989
when a Cobas-designed motorcycle ridden by Àlex Crivillé
won the 125cc world championship.
When Pons moved to the Honda
factory racing team in 1986
, Cobas followed and served as Pons' crew chief. Pons retired as a competitor in 1991
and created the Pons Racing
team, naming Cobas as Technical Director. In this role, he prepared motorcycles ridden to Grand Prix victories by Alberto Puig
and Carlos Checa
. He also rejoined Crivillé during his world championship winning year in 1999
.
Cobas died in 2004 at the age of 52.
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix is the premier championship of motorcycle road racing currently divided into three distinct classes: 125cc, Moto2 and MotoGP. The 125cc class uses a two-stroke engine while Moto2 and MotoGP use four-stroke engines. In 2010 the 250cc two-stroke was replaced...
motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
designer, constructor and mechanic
Mechanic
A mechanic is a craftsman or technician who uses tools to build or repair machinery.Many mechanics are specialized in a particular field such as auto mechanics, bicycle mechanics, motorcycle mechanics, boiler mechanics, general mechanics, industrial maintenance mechanics , air conditioning and...
who built world championship winning motorcycles. Cobas was credited with being the originator of the modern, aluminum frame
Motorcycle frame
A motorcycle frame includes the head tube that holds the front fork and allows it to pivot. Some motorcycles include the engine as a load-bearing, stressed member. The rear suspension is an integral component in the design. Traditionally frames have been steel, but titanium, aluminium, magnesium,...
chassis now used on many modern racing and production motorcycles.
In the early 1980s, racing motorcycles still used steel-tubed frames developed in the 1950s. As motorcycle engine and tire technology progressed, motorcycle frames became more and more stressed. In 1982, Cobas developed a stronger and lighter aluminum twin-beam chassis to replace the steel backbone frames. The technology was copied by major motorcycle manufacturers and by the 1990s, all the major racing teams in Grand Prix competition used the aluminum frame design pioneered by Cobas.
Cobas began constructing racing motorcycles named Sirokas in 1978, which were successful in the Spanish road race
Road racing
Road racing is a general term for most forms of motor racing held on paved, purpose-built race tracks , as opposed to oval tracks and off-road racing...
national championships. In 1982
1982 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season
The 1982 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 34th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.-Season summary:Italian Franco Uncini on the Roberto Gallina backed Suzuki took a well-earned championship in the 500cc class. Yamaha introduced a new V4 bike for Kenny Roberts but suffered from...
, he created the Kobas brand motorcycle designing his own chassis powered by Rotax
Rotax
BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG , commonly known simply as Rotax, is an Austrian engine manufacturer. It develops and produces four-stroke and advanced two-stroke engines for Bombardier Recreational Products products as well as for motorcycles, karts,...
engines. Spanish rider Sito Pons rode a Kobas to a third place at the 1982 Finnish Grand Prix
Finnish motorcycle Grand Prix
Finnish motorcycle Grand Prix was the Finnish round of the FIM Grand Prix motorcycle racing championship from 1962 to 1982. It was held at the Tampere Circuit in 1962 and 1963 before moving to Imatra. Giacomo Agostini won the most Finnish Grands Prix with ten 500cc victories and seven 350cc...
and followed that with a fourth place at the Czechoslovakian Grand Prix
Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix
The Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix is a motorcycling event that is part of the Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. Before 1993, the race was known as the Czechoslovakian motorcycle Grand Prix...
. The following year, Carlos Cardús
Carlos Cardús
Carlos Cardús Carrió is a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer.Cardús had his best year in 1990 when he won four races and finished second in the 250cc world championship to John Kocinski in a close battle that went down to the last race of the season...
won the 250cc European Championship riding a Kobas.
In 1983, Cobas formed a new motorcycle company named JJ Cobas. Pons would ride a JJ Cobas motorcycle in the 1984
1984 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season
The 1984 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 36th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.-Season summary:Defending champion Freddie Spencer was the pre-season favorite to win the championship however, teething problems with Honda's new V4 and early season injuries squelched his hopes...
250cc world championship, garnering their first Grand Prix victory with a win at the 1984 Spanish Grand Prix
Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix
The Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix is a motorcycling event that is part of the FIM Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. In addition to this event, three other motorcycling events take place in Spain as of the 2010 season: the Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix, the Aragon motorcycle Grand Prix and the...
and, ended the season in fourth place in the championship. Even greater success came in 1989
1989 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season
The 1989 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 41st F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.-Season summary:Defending champion Eddie Lawson stunned most observers by switching from the Yamaha to Honda in the offseason then proceeded to win the championship, becoming the first man to win...
when a Cobas-designed motorcycle ridden by Àlex Crivillé
Alex Criville
Àlex Crivillé is a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. In 1992 he became the first Spaniard to win a 500cc Grand Prix and, in 1999 he became the first Spaniard to win the 500cc World Championship....
won the 125cc world championship.
When Pons moved to the Honda
Honda Racing Corporation
Honda Racing Corporation is a division of the Honda Motor Company formed in 1982. The company combines participation in motorcycle races throughout the world with the development of high potential racing machines. Its racing activities are an important source for the creation of leading edge...
factory racing team in 1986
1986 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season
The 1986 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 38th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.-Season summary:A second world championship for the consistent Eddie Lawson. After a dominating 1985 season, the future looked bright for Honda's Freddie Spencer. However, once the season started,...
, Cobas followed and served as Pons' crew chief. Pons retired as a competitor in 1991
1991 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season
The 1991 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 43rd F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.-Season summary:The beginning of the 1990s marked a golden age for Grand Prix motorcycle racing. The rivalry between Wayne Rainey and Kevin Schwantz was in full flow while Mick Doohan started to...
and created the Pons Racing
Pons Racing
Pons Racing is an motorcycle and auto racing team based in Spain. The team was founded by former 250cc world champion Sito Pons in 1992. In motorcycle road racing world championships, Pons has fielded riders such as Alex Barros, Max Biaggi and Sete Gibernau...
team, naming Cobas as Technical Director. In this role, he prepared motorcycles ridden to Grand Prix victories by Alberto Puig
Alberto Puig
Alberto Puig is a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer from Spain.Puig had his best year in 1994, when he finished in fifth place in the 500cc class. In 1995, Puig became the first Spanish competitor to win his home nation's 500cc Grand Prix when he won the 1995 Spanish Grand Prix...
and Carlos Checa
Carlos Checa
Carlos "Charlie" Checa is a professional motorcycle road racer and winner of the 2011 Superbike World Championship. After racing in 500cc and MotoGP for over a decade, mostly on Honda and Yamaha machinery with and without full manufacturer support, he moved to the Superbike World Championship on a...
. He also rejoined Crivillé during his world championship winning year in 1999
1999 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season
The 1999 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 51st F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.-Season summary:The dominant reign of Honda's Mick Doohan came to an end with serious injuries suffered in practice for the Spanish Grand Prix. In his absence, his Honda team-mate Àlex Crivillé...
.
Cobas died in 2004 at the age of 52.