Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Hacking Takes Over Third-Place in Superbike Points at Laguna Seca

Home	Bike Reviews & Reports	Editorials & Essays	Links	Contact Us
News Archive	Product Reviews	Race Results	Rumors	Contact Us

Press Release Issued By Monster Energy Kawasaki (July 20, 2008)

Monterey, Calif. (July 20, 2008) – Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jamie Hacking rode a hard-fought 28-lap race to finish fourth during the AMA Superbike race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. His finish in Monterey, along with a string of recent podium finishes, has helped him move into third place in the points standings. Teammate Roger Hayden enjoyed his first race back since injuries from a crash at Barber Motorsports Park in April took him out of the action. Hayden rode a great race to finish just outside the top five.

Kawasaki Under the Kawasaki Tent

Long Term Effect
Hacking’s efforts in the Superbike race continued to pay off as he climbed up another position in the point standings. He rode smart and made his mark against the competition to finish with a two-point gap over fourth place.

“We got a great start,” said Hacking. “The bike launched perfect. There was a little bit of position switching at the beginning of the race and I tried to put some decent laps on the bike. I was a little wore out, but my main goal was to finish in front of (Neil) Hodgson to get ahead in the championship standings.”

Double Duty
The endurance of Hacking was tested on Sunday as he pulled double-racing duty. Hacking made his MotoGP debut at 2:00 p.m., riding a 32-lap race, only to turn around and race a 28-lap race at 3:45 p.m. He showed no sign of exhaustion and made the weekend a successful one all the way around. He finished 11th in the MotoGP race.

“With the very limited time we had on the ZX-RR, I felt like the weekend went pretty good,” said Hacking. “It was only a week ago we were in Japan and now we are here. Going back and forth between bikes was a little difficult at first, but we got it together and I managed to block out the other bike once we got down to the Superbike race.”

First Race Back
Hayden looked very impressive in his first race back since fracturing his pelvis and back, along with losing his left pinky. He qualified seventh and finished a strong sixth place.

“My first race back went pretty good,” said Hayden. “I got an decent start and then got shuffled back. I was a little back, but got into a rhythm and made my way into sixth. I was on the end of the group battling for third. With about 7 or 8 laps to go my mind got a little lost, but I brought it home in sixth and I’m pretty happy with that.“

Adjustments
After completing his first race since Daytona, Hayden can now make the adjustments needed to keep up his results competitive.

“It was my first full-race back and afterward I was a little sore in some places,” said Hayden. “There are muscles that I only use when I ride and I can now adjust my training accordingly. I’m so happy to be back and I’m really looking forward to the next race at Mid-Ohio.”

Kid in a Candy Shop
For Hacking, racing in the premier MotoGP class was a dream come true.

“I got to ride with the best riders in the world,” said Hacking. “It was a pleasure to race with the guys that I have only watched on TV. I got a kick out of racing with (Ben) Spies too. I can’t get away from him. I loved every minute of it.”

For all the pictures, videos and most recent Kawasaki racing action, visit www.kawasaki.com/racing

Results

AMA Superbike Series
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca – Monterey, Calif.
July 20, 2008

AMA Superbike Class
1. Ben Spies, Longview, Texas, Suzuki
2. Matthew Mladin, Henderson, Nev., Suzuki
3. Aaron Yates, Milledgeville, Ga., Suzuki
4. JAMIE HACKING, DENVER, N.C., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
5. Tommy Hayden, Owensboro, Ky., Suzuki
6. ROGER HAYDEN, OWENSBORO, KY., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
7. Neil Hodgson, Isle of Man, UK, Honda
8. Jason Disalvo, Stafford, N.Y., Yamaha
9. Eric Bostrom, Malibu, Calif., Yamaha
10. Miguel Duhamel, Las Vegas, Nev., Honda

AMA Superbike Points Standings
1. Ben Spies, Longview, Texas, Suzuki, 411
2. Matthew Mladin, Henderson, Nev., Suzuki, 375
3. JAMIE HACKING, DENVER, N.C., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 319
4. Neil Hodgson, Isle of Man, UK, Honda, 317
5. Jason Disalvo, Stafford, N.Y., Yamaha, 288
6. Eric Bostrom, Malibu, Calif., Yamaha, 276
7. Aaron Yates, Milledgeville, Ga., Suzuki, 263
8. Miguel Duhamel, Las Vegas, Nev., Honda, 259
9. Geoff May, Gainesville, Ga., Suzuki, 218
10. Scott Jensen, Longmont, Colo., Suzuki, 204
25. ROGER HAYDEN, OWENSBORO, KY., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 48

©Copyright Motorcycle Daily, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this service may be reproduced, reprinted or republished in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without written permission from Motorcycle Daily, LLC.

Motorcycle Helmets