Suzuki signs two-time Swedish champion Olle Pettersson and becomes the first Japanese manufacturer to enter the Motocross World Championship. He was about to sign with Husqvarna, but chose Suzuki because he was attracted by the role of test and research rider. Like its predecessor, the RH 66, the RH 67 was hopelessly inferior to the European machines. Pettersson actually managed to turn the RH 67 into a usable motocross bike in a very short time. He even finished second in both the Belgian and Dutch Grand Prix. However, a broken leg put him out of action from the middle of the year.