1979 | the season | horse racing | motorcycle | Grand Prix motorcycle racing | Grand Canyon | Horse racing | auto racing | Grand Trunk Railway | Grand National | Grand Rapids, Michigan | 1979 in music | Grand Prix | Grand Duchy of Lithuania | National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame | Grand Central Terminal | 2005 NFL season | Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas | Grand Theft Auto IV | Grand Tour | Grand Ole Opry | 1995 AFL season | Auto racing | Motorcycle | Grand Duchy of Hesse | Grand Rapids | season | Racing Club de Avellaneda | Motorcycle speedway | Harness racing |
Minarelli successfully competed in Grand Prix motorcycle racing with Spanish rider Ángel Nieto winning 125cc world championships in 1979 and 1981.
For the 1979 season, he finally got his big break, as a full works, manufacturer backed rider for the Texaco Heron Suzuki team in the 500cc world championship, alongside two-time world 500cc world champion Barry Sheene, and future Truck racer Steve Parrish.