AMERICAN GAGNE TO RACE INDY MOTO2
Indianapolis, Indiana (August 18, 2011) — American Jake Gagne will race in Moto2 at the Indy Grand Prix Aug 26-28. The 17-year-old Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup champion, currently racing in Spain’s CEV Buckler championship, will compete in America for the first time in 2011 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He will race for GP Tech/Fogi Racing/FTR.
Gagne tested at Gingerman Raceway in Michigan earlier this week. His best time (1:30.3) was below the previous record at the track. He will test at Indy August 18-19. “The bike was really good straight away. We made some little changes, but it was really close from what the team learned last year,” said Jake. “Hopefully, we’ll get even faster in testing at Indy. So far, it’s been really positive. We’ll keep working to earn the best result we can get in the race.”
Gagne will race the same bike (with updates) that Jason DiSalvo rode from 27th place to 9th at Indy last year. Team owner Geoff Maloney’s GP Tech/Fogi Racing/FTR crew will consist of Ronnis Saner (crew chief) Mike Fitzgerald (suspension) Amauri Nunes (data) and Jayson Lubben (lead mechanic).
“I’m really excited, and it’s an awesome opportunity to get a shot at a World Championship race,” said Gagne. “I’ve been on a Moto2 bike in Spain this year, and I’ve won at Indy in Rookies Cup, so we’re hoping for a good weekend. It’s going to be a cool experience to get to try Moto2 in America at an awesome track. I haven’t raced in America since Daytona in 2010, and Indy is a big race. I’m sure there will be a big crowd. The team has done well there with Jason DiSalvo last year and we’ll get to test before. I’m really excited. I can’t thank everyone who has helped me enough: Red Bull, Alpinestars, Arai, Geoff at GP Tech, Road Race Factory, FTR, Fogi Racing, American Supercamp, Ohlins, Seth, Dunlop, and Murph from Syndicate Motorsports Management.”
A former motocross and supermoto amateur champion, Gagne decided to switch to the pavement in 2008 after being selected for the Red Bull AMA US Rookies Cup. He fought for the win at Road America in just his third road race. He won two events that year (Road Atlanta and Indy) and took third place at the all-star race in Valencia, Spain, against an international field.
For 2009, Jake was selected to race in Europe as part of the MotoGP Rookies Cup. He earned top-five finishes in each of the past five races to finish as top American in the class.
During the 2010 season, Gagne won the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup championship on the virtue of four wins (Assen, both Sachsenring races, and Brno) and a calculated second place in the San Marino finale. He also earned two podiums in AMA Pro competition at Daytona. The 2011 season has seen Jake compete in the very competitive CEV Buckler championship in Spain. Jake has raced for Promo Racing this season in that championship, showing promise with a best result of fifth at Jerez.
Gagne will turn 18 on Saturday at Indy. “The Brickyard is an awesome track, and I’m excited to go back,” said Gagne, who aspires to race in MotoGP. “It’s a special place, and we’re hoping to have a special weekend.”