More Previews Of This Weekend’s AMA Superbike National At VIR

More Previews Of This Weekend’s AMA Superbike National At VIR

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Aurora, IL (August 13, 2008) Michael Jordan Motor Sports Suzuki riders Aaron Yates and Geoff May return to Virginia International Raceway (VIR) in Alton, Virginia, August 15-17, 2008 for the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals. The riders will compete on the challenging 2.25 mile North Course in both the AMA Superbike Doubleheader and in the AMA Superstock race. At last year’s event at VIR, Yates, who started the Superstock race from the front row in third position earned a second place podium finish for his Jordan Suzuki crew. Aboard his Suzuki GSX-R1000, he also rode the second fastest lap of the race at 1:25.698, a mere .888 off the track record. Coming off a race win at the last round, Yates hopes to return to the winner’s circle in Sunday’s 17-lap (60K) event. Yates is currently leading the AMA Superstock championship by 31 points. Yates’ Jordan Suzuki teammate Geoff May is seeking his second race win of the season this weekend at VIR. In 2007, May qualified third in the AMA Supersport race, earning a top five finish. A rookie with Jordan Suzuki, May has earned three Superstock podium finishes, including his first AMA National win, in seven outings with his new team. He is currently third in overall points in the AMA Superstock championship In addition to their AMA Superstock race duties, May and Yates also compete in the AMA Superbike class. May, who races in the premier class on a production-based Suzuki GSX-R1000, looks forward to making another strong showing in the class. “In Superbike last week, Geoff had two strong finishes,” said Pete Mauhar Technical Manager. “Geoff was the top privateer and non-Superbike finisher in both races.” This season, May has earned 10 top 10 finishes in the Superbike class, placing him ninth in the points standings. Yates, on his Superbike, has earned a third place podium, four top five finishes and an additional three top eight finishes, proving he has the skill and Superbike power needed to make the podium. In 2007 at VIR, Yates qualified for a front row start in the doubleheader event and earned a third place podium in race two. He is currently seventh in overall AMA Superbike championship points. For more information on the Jordan Suzuki team or to purchase team gear, visit the race team website at www.23race.com. Fans can watch the AMA Superbike Championship series on SpeedTV. More, from a press release issued by Penny Nicolai, on behalf Erion Racing: ERION RACING’S JAKE ZEMKE AND JOSH HAYES GEARED UP FOR ANOTHER TOP FINISH Orange, Calif: Carrying the momentum from their strong run at Mid-Ohio, Erion Racing’s two-wheeled aces Jake Zemke and Josh Hayes are geared up for another top finish at the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals presented by Dunlop and Rockstar at Virginia International Raceway, August 15-17. Piloting their Parts Unlimited, American Honda, Pro Honda Oils and Chemicals, Erion Racing Hondas in the AMA Formula Xtreme Series and the Pro Honda Supersport Championship presented by Shoei, both Zemke and Hayes are determined to land on the Podium. “VIR is a good track,” says Zemke. “It is older than some of the tracks we compete on and it is somewhat different. It is almost like running on three different sections and there are lots of elevation changes in the back. You have to link the corners to make it all work. My game plan is pretty much the same as always and that is to qualify well and get out in front as soon as possible. Our Hondas are really spot on, so we should only have to make minimal changes and we will be good to go.” And, go is what Zemke is good at. Currently sitting in first place in Formula Xtreme, this native Californian leads by a margin of 39 points. In Supersport, he holds down second, just 22 points out of the lead. “I’m hoping to take the win in both events,” he says with determination. “There are only three races left in each series and being able to win them all would be awesome.” However, also looking for victory is Zemke’s teammate Josh Hayes, who won the Formula Xtreme event at Mid-Ohio and landed on the Podium in the Pro Honda Supersport race. “My Mid-Ohio results definitely helped my confidence,” says the Gulfport, Miss. native. “I was fast in practice all weekend and I felt I rode well. If you know you rode your best it really helps give you that extra shot in the arm and bolsters your confidence. I took the win in both classes at VIR in 2007 and we should be able to do it again. It is a very physical track and the weather can be extremely hot and sticky. The weather in my hometown is definitely hot and humid and I train outside every day. I either ride my bicycle or go motocrossing. I like being outside and daily training makes me feel ready to race my best.” Seated in fourth in Formula Extreme, Hayes is within striking distance of ending the season in third. In Supersport, he holds third by a narrow margin and is eager to lengthen his position. “I’ve had a tough season,” he says, “but hopefully the last race was a start of things turning around and luck will be in my side for the rest of the year.” Celebrating 15 years as Honda’s premium support team, Erion Racing has amassed an impressive win record over the years, including six Formula Xtreme Championships between 1997 and 2007 (1997-2000, 2006, 2007), four consecutive Formula Xtreme titles from 1997 to 2000, two SuperTeams Championships in 1994 and 1996, a perfect season in 1999 (the team won all nine races) and back-to-back AMA 600 Supersport crowns in 1999 and 2000. Obviously their record leaves no doubt as to their ability and when the Green Flag waves at Virginia International Raceway, both Zemke and Hayes will be ready to give it their all in their bid for the Checkered Flag.

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