Words by Brian PilcherThe AMA boys roll into Virginia International Raceway for the Big Kahuna Nationals this weekend, August 18th -20th. We'll be at the Raceway for the weekend bringing you the latest on the racing and catching up with Brit Neil Hodgson for an exclusive interview. Here is a preview to whet your appetite.
VIR is a steep departure after the last round at Mid-Ohio. VIR’s 2.25 mile North Course host 130 feet of elevation change and three thousand feet of front straight away with only a slight right hand kink that will let the boys keep it pinned until diving into the turn one horseshoe.
Last year saw reining series champion Matt Mladin take the double to clinch the championship but only after struggling to save his maligned clutch after two restarts in race one. This year’s championship looks very different coming into Ole Virginia. Yoshimura team mate Ben Spies holds the lead with 501 points after trying to run away with the series with 10 wins. However, Mladin never one to back down from a challenge, has picked it back up a level with 3 wins, a series of seconds and trails Spies by only 45 points. While the series championship seems to be coming down between these two Yoshimura team mates, several other factor teams would surly call it a success for a couple of victories.
With the new legalization a traction control a ray of hope has definitely been seen at Ducati Corse. After a podium for Neil Hodgson at Laguna and serious challenges by Ben Bostrom at Miller Motorsports Park and Mid-Ohio (until Ben high sided in both events) there may still be a light at the end of the Parts Unlimited tunnel. Mechanical gremlins were blamed with both Parts Unlimited riders DNFing race one of Mid-Ohio however Hodgson did manage a 5th in race two. A little more time to sort the traction control may be all Parts Unlimited Ducati needs to step it up that last notch.
American Honda riders Jake Zemke and Miguel Duhamel are also still sorting they’re in house built CBR 1000’s. Zemke snagged one win at Miller and looked as if he could have done the double before crashing out. Duhamel’s third place in points reflects his 3.9 average finishing positions. The guy still has the touch; he just needs a little more bike. Honda has been pretty quiet about any traction control systems but you know big red will not be left behind.
Kawasaki are definitely still teething the ZX-10R. Tommy Hayden is doing a courageous job developing the new bike and scratched out a fifth on Saturday at Mid-Ohio. Kawasaki would have to accept any podium as a victory right now. Roger Lee Hayden, still recovering from injuries, is off the crutches but still struggling for speed.
The closest series by far is Formula Extreme. FX, for those who may not be familiar, is basically a 600cc Superbike. It was developed last year as an answer to the speed problem at the Daytona 200. It has many mixed reviews and just as varied factory support, but the top three riders are separated by just four points going into VIR. Jason DiSalvo, Graves Yamaha, leads team mate Eric Bostrom and Erion Honda’s Josh Hayes by four points. Bostrom has won five of the last six races and DiSalvo is in an obvious slump. Bostrom is also competing with DiSalvo for what will hopefully be a Graves Yamaha Superbike ride next year as Yamaha are strongly rumoured to be moving back into the premier class.
The hottest rider in AMA right now is not even competing in Superbike. Graves Yamaha Jamie Hacking is leading both the Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship and the Repsol Lubricants Superstock Championship. Of the two combined series, Hacking has ten wins in the last fifteen races and his other finishes were all runner-ups! Hacking has rebounded tremendously after leading the Superstock Championship last year and crashing out----on his bicycle! Hacking went down on a training ride and missed several rounds that took him out of contention. Oh… what might have been?!
LB will be at VIR all weekend. Look for a full report and of course lots of photos.
Related Linkswww.virclub.com
Related News
