Haskovec’s Big Day: It Was Awesome, Man!

Haskovec’s Big Day: It Was Awesome, Man!

© 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

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Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Superstock points leader Vincent Haskovec got what he figures to be the greatest opportunity of his racing career Thursday when he was given a one-day test on the Ducati Austin 998RS Superbike at Pikes Peak International Raceway.

“It was awesome, man!” said Haskovec, a 29-year-old immigrant from the Czech Republic. “I’ve been happy to get that opportunity from those guys and get a ride on a real Superbike. I had experience with the 748 I rode last year at Laguna Seca, so I know little bit what Ducati feels like.

“It was completely shocking for me (how well) that bike handled – going from side-to-side was effortless. It was amazing compared to 748. The bike was really stable. Two guys who I passed were behind me. They told me, ‘Man, you didn’t go sideways or nothing!’ It sounds like I’m spinning, but that thing always roll forward.”

Haskovec said he made small changes to the shock and forks that made him more comfortable and resulted in faster lap times by the end of the day. “Lap time before red flag was my fastest lap, and they decide to call it a day. I was pretty bummered out. Like, I finally feel pretty good, and I couldn’t ride anymore.”

The test was set-up by OMS Sports’ Jimmy Filice, who recently signed Haskovec to “see if we can help him,” according to Filice. “He’s doing real well this year. He’s leading the Superstock class. He’s drawing a lot of attention.

“First of all I’d like to thank Steve DeCamp (Hooters Suzuki Team Owner) for giving (Haskovec) that opportunity and releasing him for that one day. But his focus is on the Superstock Championship for them.

“Ducati Austin is looking for a second rider and wanted to give a rider the opportunity to go out and experience a Superbike for a day. (Ducati Austin Team Owner) Terry Gregoricka is a good guy, and he sees potential in Vincent as well. He just wanted to see how well he rode a Superbike.”

“I was pretty impressed,” said Ducati Austin Crew Chief Vic Fasola. “He did a great job for us. He was real easy to work with. He didn’t tear anything up. He did pretty well.”

So what happens next? “I could do it if up to me,” said Haskovec, when asked if he could race Superstock for Hooters Suzuki and Superbike for Ducati Austin for the rest of the 2003 season. “It’s just a lot of collision with sponsors. I’m running with these guys (Hooters Suzuki) on Pirellis, and they (Ducati Austin) are on Dunlops. I don’t know how this is going to work out, but I’m probably going to hang out and do my job for Hooters what I promised to do.”

“Nothing has been discussed about next year or the end of this year,” said Filice. “We haven’t had a meeting about how yesterday went. We’ll probably discuss that this weekend.”

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