Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Supersport Championship points leader Jamie Hacking has re-signed with Yamaha for 2004 and is excited about the new YZF-R1 he will be racing.

“Yeah, I’ve already signed my contract, and it’s already back in their hands. That happened the week after Virginia,” said Hacking in a telephone interview Wednesday. “Supersport and we don’t know if it’s going to be Superstock or Superbike. It’s whatever the rules turn out, you know? It’s a one-year deal.

“I’m really happy. I couldn’t be any happier and wouldn’t want to be any other place. Those guys treat me good over there.”

Hacking said he just returned to his home in Greer, South Carolina after attending a special presentation of the new 2004 Yamahas. The event was held at Rancho Los Palmas Marriott Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage, California near Palm Springs Monday, September 8.

“We just did the introduction for the new R1 and R6 for the regional sales managers of Yamaha,” said Hacking.

When asked about the new YZF-R1, Hacking could not hide his enthusiasm. “That thing’s pretty nice. (laughs) It’s a small motorcycle! It’s smaller than my 600. I was just tickled to death when I sat on it. I don’t like big motorcycles. They don’t suit my riding style. I sat on that thing and I was like, Holy Shit! The seat where it meets the tank is only three inches wide. It’s like a damn dirt bike with street tires. It makes that thing (the existing YZF-R1) feel like a Gold Wing. It’s very impressive. They did a good job with it. I think it’s going to give us a really good base to work with.”

Hacking said he hadn’t ridden the bike yet (there’s only one pre-production model in America, being used for brochure photos), but he did stop to take his own pictures of the bike during Monday night’s ceremony.

“Yeah, I took pictures of it to show my buddies back home, because they’ve all got R1s,” said Hacking. “I was pretty impressed with it. I called ‘em up and told them they better get rid of them so they can get this one.”