Monster Energy Kawasaki
Lexington, Ohio. (August 5, 2008)
“ Monster Energy Kawasaki's Jamie Hacking returned to the top three after putting in a great ride, earning his eighth season-podium in the AMA Superbike race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. After a holeshot start, Hacking settled comfortably into third and came across the finish line seven seconds in front of fourth. In the AMA Supersport race, Attack Kawasaki’s Steve Rapp raced for sixth, while teammate Chaz Davies kept it in the top-ten in ninth. Hacking’s teammate Hayden was taken out during the Supersport race and had an issue during the Superbike race.
Kawasaki Under the Kawasaki Tent
Hacker
After a dramatic Superbike race on Saturday, the events of the race were much less extraordinary on Sunday. Hacking took the early lead and settled into a comfortable third to bring it home on his ZX-10R.
This race felt rather uneventful in comparison to yesterday, said Hacking. I just got into a rhythm and focused on keeping my distance from fourth place. I know we are going to Atlanta to test and I’m really looking forward to trying some new things.
What A Weekend
Following a sixth-place finish during Saturday’s Superbike race, Hayden went out and earned the fourth-fastest time in morning warm-up before the racing began. He got a great start, but after the second lap he had an unknown issue with the bike and pulled in. The crew tried to make changes but the issue remained and Hayden ended his day early.
My race didn’t last very long, said Hayden. We had a little issue with the bike. I went down the back straight-away on second lap and the rear started hopping so bad I couldn’t make the corner or use the brakes. We tried a few things to fix it, but we weren’t sure what it is. We’ll figure it out for next race. It’s unfortunate because we went so much better in practice today. But that’s a part of racing and we will move on to Virginia and try to do better there.
Heat
With temperatures getting in the 80s, the riders were trying to keep cool before and during the races. Hayden used a hydration system during practice to stay cool while riding two classes in one day.
A Little More Luck
Rapp hasn’t had the luck with the Supersport class this year, but at Mid-Ohio that changed when he got a consistent finish just outside the top-five. He rode hard and steady to finish the day in sixth.
I felt that we could have done a lot better today, said Rapp. Though with the way things have gone in this class, I am glad to finish the race and get some points on the board. I really think that Virginia could be good for us and I’m looking forward to it.
Moving on Up
With a 13th grid spot, Davies got a good jump off the start and eventually brought it across the finish in ninth.
With the qualifying spot that we got, I felt that I did the best I could with what I had on the start, said Davies. It was a good race, but I did get run off the track when Roger and Danny (Eslick) went down in front of me. That slowed me up but I managed to get by to ninth. It could have been a lot worse.
Less Chaos
With no red flags being thrown at all on Sunday, the races made for a less chaotic event than what fans found on Saturday. With Kawasaki out front for some of the Superbike race and another podium finish, the team took the weekend as a success. They even had time to sign a few autographs
Results
AMA Superbike Series
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course “ Lexington, Ohio
August 3, 2008
AMA Superbike Class
1. Matthew Mladin, Henderson, Nev., Suzuki
2. Ben Spies, Longview, Texas, Suzuki
3. JAMIE HACKING, DENVER, N.C., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
4. Neil Hodgson, Isle of Man, UK, Honda
5. Tommy Hayden, Owensboro, Ky., Suzuki
6. Miguel Duhamel, Las Vegas, Nev., Honda
7. Jason Disalvo, Stafford, N.Y., Yamaha
8. Geoff May, Gainesville, Ga., Suzuki
9. Chris Peris, Calgary, Canada, Suzuki
10. Kenny Noyes, Spain, Suzuki
22. ROGER HAYDEN, OWENSBORO, KY., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
AMA Superbike Points Standings
1. Ben Spies, Longview, Texas, Suzuki, 476
2. Matthew Mladin, Henderson, Nev., Suzuki, 449
3. JAMIE HACKING, DENVER, N.C., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 377
4. Neil Hodgson, Isle of Man, UK, Honda, 344
5. Jason Disalvo, Stafford, N.Y., Yamaha, 339
6. Eric Bostrom, Malibu, Calif., Yamaha, 311
7. Aaron Yates, Milledgeville, Ga., Suzuki, 288
8. Miguel Duhamel, Las Vegas, Nev., Honda, 284
9. Geoff May, Gainesville, Ga., Suzuki, 264
10. Chris Peris, Calgary, Canada, Suzuki, 230
23. ROGER HAYDEN, OWENSBORO, KY., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 73
AMA Supersport Results
1. Ben Bostrom, Malibu, Calif., Yamaha
2. Martin Cardenas, Columbia, Suzuki
3. Josh Hayes, Gulfport, Miss., Honda
4. Blake Young, Wanuakee, Wis., Suzuki
5. Jake P. Zemke, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda
6. STEVE RAPP, MANHATTAN BEACH, CALIF., ATTACK KAWASAKI
7. Cory West, Eureka Springs, Ark., Suzuki
8. Bobby Fong, Stockton, Calif., Suzuki
9. CHAZ DAVIES, KNIGHTON, UK, ATTACK KAWASAKI
10. Tommy Aquino, Saugus, Calif., Yamaha
27. ROGER HAYDEN, OWENSBORO, KY., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
AMA Supersport Points Standings
1. Ben Bostrom, Malibu, Calif., Yamaha, 267
2. Jake Zemke, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda, 245
3. Josh Hayes, Gulfport, Miss., Honda, 207
4. Blake Young, Wanuakee, Wis., Suzuki, 203
5. Josh Herrin, Dublin, Ga., Yamaha, 180
6. CHAZ DAVIES, KNIGHTON, UK, ATTACK KAWASAKI, 177
7. Aaron Gobert, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 164
8. Cory West, Eureka Springs, Ark., Suzuki, 163
9. Danny Eslick, Broken Arrow, Okla., Suzuki, 148
10. Michael Beck, Simi Valley, Calif., Yamaha, 145
16. STEVE RAPP, MANHATTAN BEACH, CALIF., ATTACK KAWASAKI, 98
For all the pictures, videos and most recent Kawasaki racing action, visit www.kawasaki.com/racing
Source: Motorsports Journal
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