In 1997 Kenny Robert’s team switched from Yamaha YZRs to a bike of their own design. Based on the same principle behind the Aprilia RSW500 – that is taking advantage of the lower minimum weights for 2 or 3-cylinder bikes, Roberts and his main team engineers Mike Sinclair and Warren Willing, together with Tom Walkinshaw Racing, came up with a V3 design that was about the size of a 250cc class bike. It weighed just over 135kg and made around 160hp. The first model (Modenas KR3) suffered from engine vibration problems so a redesign was instigated. The name was then changed to Proton KR3, to mirror the new team sponsorship. On this bike Jeremy McWilliams set pole on the 2002 Australian GP, the last time a two-stroke achieved this feat.
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