Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Tommy Hayden and Jake Zemke, AMA Championship contenders in their respective classes, both crashed in Saturday morning practice At Virginia International Raceway (VIR).

Hayden, a contender in the Superstock and Supersport class Championships, crashed his Kawasaki ZX-6RR Supersport bike in turn three, escaping injury.

“I’m not sure what happened,” Hayden told Roadracingworld.com. “I had a new front (tire) on, but I’m not sure if it was too cold or too hard or the track was too cold or what. I was pushing, but I wasn’t going that hard. I didn’t expect it, and some times that makes it worse, when it happens and you’re not expecting it. I haven’t crashed in almost two years.”

Then Jake Zemke, a long shot in the AMA Superbike Championship, highsided his Erion Honda CBR1000RR Superbike in the series of right-hand turns leading onto the front straightaway, falling hard enough to seek medical attention.

Zemke was not available for immediate comment, but Honda Racing Team Manager Chuck Miller said Zemke had an abrasion on his right arm.