Press
Video: Josh Hayes Looks Back at Arai Mountain Nationals
From a video issued by Yamaha Motorsports USA:
Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha rider Josh Hayes won the Pro Superbike race at Miller Motorsports Park and wrapped up the championship in the GEICO Motorcycle Superbike Shootout Presented By Yamaha. For the “Mississippi Madman,” this is the fourth pro national superbike title of his career.
GEICO Motorcycle Pro Chris Ulrich Miller Motorsports Park Recap
From a press release issued by GEICO Motorcycle:
First podium finish of the year for GEICO Honda rider Ulrich
TOOELE, Utah (May 25) — Luck may be changing for GEICO Motorcycle Honda American rider Chris Ulrich, who reached the podium for the first time this year by finishing third in the last round of the GEICO Motorcycle Superbike Shootout at Miller Motorsports Park near Salt Lake City.
“It’s been a fun weekend starting all the way back on Friday,” Ulrich said. “We were pretty much in around fifth all weekend. We qualified fifth but we were able to close the gap quite a bit, and I was really happy about that.
“With the Superbikes, it’s all about keeping the gap close, and we were able to do that here. I got a really good start and was fourth off the line. I kept thinking, ‘Keep your head down, keep calm, and keep going.’ I came around one lap and I saw a rider down, and next thing I know I’m in third place. I was pulling away from the guy behind me and I’m pacing along with the rider in second place. It was a good feeling.”
Ulrich knows that without the consistency he had the entire weekend, his podium finish may have been harder to secure. At a track that is known for large gaps in between riders, Ulrich knew that he had to be almost perfect.
“I put myself in a good position by having a good start and qualifying well. I did everything right this weekend, and I feel like I got rewarded for it. It’s been a long time since I’ve been on the podium, and I’m going to enjoy it. I’m glad I can reward my team and my family.
“We still have a lot of work to do and to continue to work on closing the gap, but to get the trophy means you’re doing something right on the bike. It means you worked hard to get there. I’m just definitely super stoked.”
Ulrich will look to ride his momentum when the AMA Pro Road Racing Series season continues with the Subway SuperBike Doubleheader, May 30-June 1, at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis.
GEICO Motorcycle Pro Jake Zemke Miller Motorsports Park Recap
From a press release issued by GEICO Motorcycle:
GEICO Pro Zemke has best outing of season at Arai Mountain Nationals
TOOELE, Utah (May 25) — Although he described it as a ” lonely day” on his GEICO Motorcycle Honda CBR600, star rider Jake Zemke was pleased with his season-best fourth-place result in the final leg of the GEICO Superbike Shootout, held Sunday at Miller Motorsports Park near Salt Lake City.
Aside from the start where he expertly jumped from the second row to third place, Zemke hardly saw another rider during the race. The front-runners simply spread out across the 2.2-mile West Course and rode out the 20-lap race.
“Bobby Fong was the only rider I saw, really,” Zemke said. “He ran into the back of a rider at the start and sat up like something maybe was wrong with his bike. He must have dropped way back at that point because I didn’t see him, or anyone really, until Bobby passed me (on Lap 9). That was all the excitement I had.
“To have the bike perform like it did is very encouraging. We definitely feel as though we’ve closed the gap on the guys that have been ahead of us, and that’s a real testament to the crew and this team. It’s satisfying as a rider to reward the crew guys with a strong race because they do the same amount of work, if not more, when we don’t do so well as when we do, so this is for them.”
The uptick in performance is coming at the perfect time for Zemke as the road racing tour immediately shifts to historic Road America next weekend. Pointing to Sunday’s result as a highlight, Zemke said the three-race GEICO Superbike Shootout was a hit for many reasons.
“First and foremost, it gave us a chance to race out west with this huge core of motorcycle racing fans out here,” Zemke said. “It also filled the gap between Daytona and the rest of the AMA Pro schedule. Most importantly, we were able to work on this bike in real race conditions and make it better. And I always love racing close to home (San Luis Obispo area). I’ll be home tonight!”
Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha Miller Motorsports Park Recap
From a press release issued by Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha:
Josh Hayes Shows How The West Is Won With A Stunning Race Win At Miller Motorsports Park And A Pro Superbike Championship In The Superbike Shootout
Tooele, UT – May 25, 2014 – Three-time U.S. Superbike Champion Josh Hayes today added another Superbike Championship to his impressive racing resume with a win in today’s final Pro Superbike race of the 2014 GEICO Motorcycle Superbike Shootout Presented By Yamaha. The Arai Pacific Nationals event was held on Miller Motorsports Park’s 10-turn, 2.183-mile West Course.
Josh inherited the lead in the race when his Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha teammate and Superbike Shootout points leader Cameron Beaubier had a rare tipover aboard his #2 Yamaha YZF-R1, taking him out of the lead. From there, Josh put down consistently fast lap after lap and built a solid lead all the way to the checkered flag.
“Cameron was in front of me,” Josh commented after the race. “And I was trying to figure out what I needed to do to stay with him because he rides so well. I saw him tip over, and I feel really bad for him. This was his championship to win, and I’m sorry that it ended like that for him. But, I was happy that I was able to pick up the pieces for the team and get this victory and championship for our entire Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha crew. It’s really cool to win this first Superbike Shootout championship. I’ve enjoyed racing in this series, and it’s been great to see the fans come out to see us race.”
Next weekend, the Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha team will be back in action as the AMA Pro Road Racing season resumes with the Subway SuperBike Doubleheader at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.
Tune In To MAVTV For The Arai Pacific Nationals Pro Sportbike Race
Today’s Pro Sportbike race was taped for airing later on MAVTV. Log on to www.MAVTV.com for the exact time and channel, and don’t miss it!
For more racing news, results, photos, videos, and more, be sure to check out:
“Like” us on Facebook: YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, U.S.A.
https://www.facebook.com/yamahamotorusa
Follow us on Twitter: @YamahaMotorUSA
https://twitter.com/YamahaMotorUSA
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: YamahaMotorUSA
https://www.youtube.com/user/YamahaMotorUSA
Follow us on Instagram: yamahamotorusa
