Yamaha Previews The Triumph Superbike Classic AMA Pro Road Races At Barber Motorsports Park

Yamaha Previews The Triumph Superbike Classic AMA Pro Road Races At Barber Motorsports Park

© 2013, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

All Aboard For Birmingham As The Yamaha U.S. Road Racing Teams Make Tracks To Barber Motorsports Park Cypress, CA June 19, 2013 – Following a successful race weekend at Road America in Wisconsin, the Yamaha U.S. Road Racing Teams will be back in action this weekend on the 2.38-mile, 14-turn road course at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. Both the Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha SuperBike Team and the Yamaha Extended Service/ Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha Daytona SportBike Team are anxious to build on the huge momentum that they took away from Road America. MONSTER ENERGY/GRAVES/YAMAHA: HAYES & HERRIN Three-time and defending AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Champion Josh Hayes took the maximum points haul from Road America, with his pole position, double win, and most laps led in both races, to move into 4th place in the Championship. Josh, who was born in Gulfport, Mississippi, not far from Birmingham, will be striving for his second perfect-points weekend in a row this season, as he returns to one of the venues where he had a perfect-points weekend last year. The Mississippi Madman is the Boss of Barber (with all due respect to Mr. Barber himself), so he’ll be on the gas and poised to continue his rapid rise in the points to his familiar position at the top of the Championship once again. “We had a great weekend at Road America,” Josh said. “But we need to keep the momentum going at Barber. I want to capture every available point at every race from here on out. It’s as simple as that.” But, Josh’s rapid rise will not come without a serious challenge from his Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha teammate and last year’s SuperBike Rookie of the Year, the equally first-named Josh Herrin, who is currently second in the SuperBike Championship aboard his #2 R1. Josh Herrin considers Barber one of his home tracks, since Birmingham is not far from Dublin, Georgia, where Josh lives. Josh won the first SuperBike race of the season at Daytona this part March, and he’ll be looking to get back in the win column at Barber. Last year at Barber, he ran well and got on the podium in both races, with a 2nd-place finish in Race 1 and a 3rd-place result in Race 2. “I like the layout of Barber a lot,” Josh said. “And, of all the tracks where we race, it’s the closest one to my home in Georgia. Barber is one of the highlights of the racing season for me, so I’m really looking forward to this weekend.” YAMAHA EXTENDED SERVICE/MONSTER ENERGY/GRAVES/YAMAHA: BEAUBIER & GERLOFF Just one year ago, the current AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike Championship leader Cameron Beaubier had a career breakthrough weekend at Barber Motorsports Park where he captured the pole position, won both races, and led the most laps in both races to cement his place as a rider to watch in the DSB class. This year, Cameron is, once again, a rider to watch and the odds-on favorite to win the 2013 Daytona SportBike title. He’s already won the Daytona 200 this season, as well as one of the two DSB races at Road America. Cameron will be looking to repeat his magical performance from last year at Barber, by once again earning the pole, winning both races, and leading the most laps on the way to those wins. “Last year at Barber was a dream weekend for me,” Cameron commented. “I love the track down there, and I’m going to try my best to equal my performance from last year. It won’t be easy, but I’ve got another year of DSB experience under my belt, so I’m heading to Barber with a lot of confidence.” He’ll have stiff competition from right within his own Y.E.S./Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha team, as the rider of the #8 Yamaha YZF-R6 Garrett Gerloff counts Barber Motorsports Park among his favorite tracks. The central Alabama venue is not all that far from Garrett’s home in Spring, TX. Garrett is currently 3rd in the 2013 DSB Championship, and he’ll be racing hard for his first career win in the highly competitive class. “Before we moved to Texas, my family and I used to live only about 15 minutes from Barber, in Trussville, Alabama.” Garrett said. “So, Barber Motorsports Park is a special place for me. I’m really looking forward to racing there again and, hopefully, I can give my teammate (Cameron) a good battle at the front.” MEET THE YAMAHA U.S. ROAD RACERS AT BIG #1 MOTORSPORTS After Friday’s first day of on-track action at Barber Motorsports Park, head over to Big #1 Motorsports at 505 Cobb Street in Homewood, AL. Beginning at 6:30 PM, Josh Hayes, Josh Herrin, Cameron Beaubier, and Garrett Gerloff–along with Meen Motorsports Yamaha R6 riders Jake Lewis and Wyatt Farris–will be there to sign posters and memorabilia, greet fans, and share a few other surprises. Don’t miss the fun. BID A FOND FAREWELL TO A LONG-TIME YAMAHA TEAMMATE Barber will be the final official race weekend for Pat Muras, Yamaha team transporter driver extraordinaire, expert Yamaha hospitality cook, and faithful Yamaha employee for the past 20 years. Stop by and wish Pat a fond farewell. He’s a dear friend, tireless worker, and an awesome guy, and he’ll be terribly missed at Yamaha and throughout the entire AMA Pro Racing paddock. FOLLOW THE YAMAHA U.S. ROAD RACING TEAMS CBS Sports Network will be broadcasting all weekend long from Barber Motorsports Park, so check your local listings and be sure to tune in or set your DVR so you can watch all the exciting action that you got to see in person while at the track. For more news, results, and other team info, be sure to check out Yamaha’s Facebook page and follow us on Twitter @YamahaMotorUSA.

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