Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Bruce Transportation Group’s Jake Zemke will ride Kurtis Roberts’ Honda RC51 Superbike at Road America this weekend.

“The bike’s been vacant for a while,” American Honda/Universal Studios Team Coordinator Ray Plumb told Roadracingworld.com in the Road America paddock Thursday. “Kurtis’ recovery is going slower, it helps the sponsors – Erion Honda, PJ1, Parts Unlimited – Jake’s riding good. So we thought we would give him a chance, a one-shot deal.”

When asked if Zemke would ride all three classes; Supersport, Formula Xtreme and Superbike, Plumb said, “No, he’ll probably bail on the 600 (Supersport) race.” Plumb added that Zemke will work with Roberts’ normal Superbike team led by Crew Chief David McGrath, engine builder Bob Reichmann and chassis man Danny Hull.

The move to put Zemke on the Honda Superbike could be a precursor to a full-time Superbike ride for the 23-year-old Californian. Eric Bostrom, Nicky Hayden and Kurtis Roberts all received guest rides on Honda factory Superbikes before moving to the American Honda team full-time.