Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Former World Superbike and 500cc Grand Prix rider Mike Hale is taking his time getting up to speed on the Kneedraggers.com Yamaha during a Formula USA National event this weekend at Virginia International Raceway.

“I haven’t raced in ten months, since the AMA National here last year. I’m taking a little bit of a slower approach to it this weekend, trying to get relaxed and, personally, get the rust knocked off and get in the flow of things. It’s coming around,” said Hale, 29, after leading all Sportbike practice times with a 1:31.677 Saturday morning.

“The bike runs really good. The thing handles really well. I’m getting a feel for the Pirelli tires. I’ve never ridden those before, but I’m pleasantly surprised with how well they work. So I’m trying to find their limits – how far I can trail brake, how hard I can trail brake the front, those sorts of things. Right now, I’ve got to say everything feels real good.

“Our times are pretty good, and personally I feel I can improve my riding. I feel a little bit rusty, and we haven’t had a whole lot of track time between the rain and the short sessions. I’m happy to be where we are now, but I’m expecting more from myself as a rider. I went faster here last year.”

Hale’s opportunity with Kneedraggers.com Yamaha came about when regular rider Matt Wait crashed and was injured at the last round at New Hampshire International Raceway June 14. The team didn’t know if Wait would be able to ride at VIR and collect points toward the Sportbike Team Owner Championship, which splits a $20,000 Championship bonus fund among winning Sportbike team owners with $7000 going to the owner of the first place team.

There are no series bonuses paid to Formula USA Sportbike and Superbike Championship-winning riders.

Hale didn’t know if he would be available to race at VIR because his wife, Kim, was expecting their second child near the race date.

“We had our boy (Lane Michael) on Tuesday (June 24), and everything was coming together,” said Hale. “My wife was like, ‘You need to go do it,’ because she’s the one that has to live with me when I’m not racing.”

Mike and Kim Hale also have a two-year-old daughter, Macy.

Mike Hale is also pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in finance in his spare time and has one year remaining in school.

Matt Wait is also present and riding (with a two-week-old broken right shoulder blade) at VIR and plans on taking part in Formula USA timed qualifying and final events Sunday, June 29.