Several riders suffered injuries during the Suzuki Superbike Challenge AMA Superbike event April 25-27 at Auto Club Speedway, in Fontana, California. Millennium KWS Suzuki’s Ben Thompson highsided his GSX-R1000 Superbike in the final corner of the 2.36-mile, 21-turn infield road course during Friday morning’s Superbike practice. Thompson landed hard on the asphalt, breaking bones in both hands. The bone fractures in his left hand will heal naturally, but Thompson, who was treated and released from Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center, said he planned to have Dr. Arthur Ting surgically repair the compound bone fractures in his right hand today. Yamaha’s Jason DiSalvo suffered ligament and soft tissue damage in his right foot when he crashed in Turn Five during AMA Superbike practice on Friday and his YZF-R1 Superbike landed on his foot. DiSalvo was treated and released from Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center in time to ride in qualifying later that same day. DiSalvo was able to continue riding — through pain — all weekend thanks to a taping job performed by Dr. Thomas Bryan. Rockstar Makita Yoshimura Suzuki’s Tommy Hayden had surgery at the hands of Dr. Bryan at Queen of the Valley Hospital, in West Covina, California, Sunday evening to repair a dislocated left ankle, according to Steve Dicterow, a member of Hayden’s management team, International Racers. Hayden was hit by Team M4 EMGO Suzuki’s Martin Cardenas, who veered off the inside of the pavement after contact with Steve Rapp and crashed going into Turn Five at the start of the Supersport race. After Cardenas fell, his motorcycle continued across the path of traffic already in Turn Five and Cardenas himself slid into the side of Hayden’s bike. Cardenas suffered a displaced fracture of his left femur in that crash. The young Colombian is currently at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton, California awaiting surgery on his leg. Team Roadracingworld.com Suzuki’s Santiago Villa crashed at the exit of Turn Nine at the start of the Superstock race Sunday at Auto Club Speedway and suffered a concussion and a broken foot. Villa was treated and released from Arrowhead Regional Medical Center Sunday night. Update: In addition to a dislocated left ankle, Tommy Hayden also suffered a broken lower left leg and some internal injuries when he was knocked down at Auto Club Speedway. “Yeah, they found a slight fracture in the tibia area, as well. They went in and did some repair last night on it,” Rockstar Makita Yoshimura Suzuki Team Manager Don Sakakura told Roadracingworld.com, before confirming that Hayden’s tibia was repaired with plates and screws. Sakakura said he only found out Monday that Hayden had also suffered a broken rib and bruised internal organs. “It doesn’t seem like that’s of too much concern right now,” Sakakura said. “I think the major area of concern is the ankle. In a couple of days, when things stabilize a bit more, I think we’ll have a better indication of the term or the length as far as the recovery time. They wouldn’t give me any indication as of today.” Sakakura said Hayden is expected to remain at Queen of the Valley Hospital, in West Covina, California, “I think probably for the remainder of the week, from what I understand, at least ’til Thursday. They’ll keep a close eye on him for a couple of days. If everything goes well I think they plan to fly back home to Kentucky.” More, from a press release issued by Millennium/KWS Suzuki: Millennium/KWS Suzuki Rider Ben Thompson Injured at California Speedway Fontana, CA April 2008 — Millennium/KWS Suzuki sponsored by Suzuki of Orangeburg rider Ben Thompson was injured in Superbike practice at California Speedway Friday morning. Thompson is coming off his first top five AMA finish last week at Barber Motorsports Park and was seventh quickest in Friday morning’s Superstock practice before his crash. Thompson sustained injuries to both hands after a violent high side crash going into the last turn before the front straight. Thompson’s right hand has two broken bones and his left hand has severe abrasions. Thompson is scheduled to have surgery Monday morning. Recovery time cannot be determined at this time but Ben and Millennium/KWS Suzuki are hopeful for a return at Infineon Raceway in three weeks. Ben Thompson “I was at the end of a really good lap when the rear end just snapped sideways. I thought I had it saved, but I hit the sealer strip and it just launched me. This was by far the biggest crash I have ever had. I really want to thank Bell Helmets, Fieldsheer Leathers and Puma Boots for keeping me safe.” Kevin Hunt (Team Owner) “Falling off is a part of racing. Every once in a while you are going to fall off and get hurt; this is part of the game. We are very lucky Ben was not hurt worse given the severity of the crash. Ben is having hand surgery at Dr. Ting’s on Monday and we will make a decision as to whether he will be able to make Infineon shortly after.”