for the Yamaha factory. The factory sponsorship also meant that he was provided with mechanics for his motorcycles, freeing him to concentrate on racing. With Saarinen signed to a contract, Yamaha was finally ready to challenge MV Agusta's sixteen-year reign in the 500cc class with competitive equipment. Saarinen's 1973 season started well, as he became the first European rider to win the prestigious Daytona 200 race in the United States on a Yamaha TZ 350 against much larger 750cc capacity opposition. At the time, the Daytona 200 was considered one of the most prestigious motorcycle races in the world. He returned to Europe where, against an impressive field of competitors, he claimed a victory at the prestigious Imola 200 pre-season invitational race, once again defeating competitors on larger motorcycles with the TZ350. Saarinen jumped to an early lead in the 1973 world championships by scoring a double victory at the season-opening French Grand Prix. He won the 250cc race then beat Read by 16 seconds to win the 500cc race. He followed this with another double victory at the Austrian Grand Prix held at the fast Salzburgring circuit. He continued his winning streak by winning the 250cc German Grand Prix but, then failed to finish the 500cc race when his chain broke while challenging Read for the lead. Death After sitting out the 1973 Isle of Man TT which most of the top racers boycotted due to safety concerns, Saarinen arrived at the Nations Grand Prix leading both the 250cc and 500cc championships. The Monza Circuit, first opened in 1922, was fast and lined with steel barriers which left no room for error for motorcycle racers. The steel guardrails lining the circuit were installed as a result of demands by automobile racers following an accident which occurred during the 1961 Italian Grand Prix when racing driver Wolfgang von Trips and 15 spectators were killed. Most auto racers believed steel barriers would improve safety for auto racers and spectators, but they had the opposite effect for motorcyclists. When he arrived at Monza, Saarinen had complained about the guardrails, but no action was taken. Despite the installation of two new chicanes for cars during the previous year's Formula One season (placed before the Curva Grande and at Vialone) they were not used for motorcycle racing at Monza. On the first lap of the 250cc race, tragedy struck when the second-placed rider, Renzo