#54 National Guard Jordan Suzuki’s Geoff May Takes Third at Auto Club Speedway.
Michael Jordan Motorsports riders Geoff May and Aaron Yates had a weekend of ups and downs at the AMA Pro Racing doubleheader at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. May, who rides for the #54 National Guard Jordan Suzuki team, earned the team’s first podium finish of the season during Saturday’s Race 1.
Geoff May, National Guard Jordan Suzuki #54: May leaves Fontana in high spirits after putting in hard effort all weekend long. He earned his first Superbike podium finish in Race 1, finishing third during Saturday’s race. On Sunday, May once again had a solid finish in fourth place in Race 2, just missing out on the final podium position by .2 seconds. May started both races from fourth position on the grid after qualifying his National Guard Jordan Suzuki GSXR-1000 on the front row during Friday’s Superpole session.
May, a resident of Gainesville, Georgia, will return to his home state with the National Guard Jordan Suzuki team as it prepares for Round 3 of the AMA Pro Racing American Superbike Championship. May is currently in third position in Championship Points.
3rd PLACE SATURDAY RACE 1 – "It feels pretty good to put my National Guard Jordan Suzuki on the podium in our 2nd race of the season," said May. "This one goes out to all the soldiers representing us in the National Guard. It feels good to get my first Superbike podium this early in the season with our new team."
4th PLACE SATURDAY RACE 2 – "While it stings that I missed the podium, I’m happy to leave here with two good results on my National Guard Jordan Suzuki," said May. "Thanks to all the fans for braving the cold, wet weather this morning and see you all at Road Atlanta where we’ll be ready to keep rocking."
Aaron Yates, Jordan Suzuki #23: It was a difficult weekend for Jordan Suzuki’s Aaron Yates. Although he was consistently one of the fastest riders in the American Superbike class all weekend long, Yates was hampered in both races by unfortunate circumstances. In Race 1, while sitting in third place and making up ground on the lead group, Yates lowsided and was forced to Pit In for inspection of his GSXR-1000, eventually finishing the race in 15th place. Even more disappointing was Sunday’s Race 2. As Yates made a high speed pass on the front straight to move his Jordan Suzuki into second place, he was balked by his competitor, causing a collision on track. Holding on after rear-ending another motorcycle at over 150 MPH, Yates soldiered through the remainder of the race with a flat front tire and non-functioning front brakes. Through sheer willpower and skill, Yates managed to cover the 2.3 mile course in the 1:35 laptime range and brought his GSXR home inside the Top 10, a remarkable feat.
Yates, eighth in the championship standings after Fontana, now turns his attention to his home state of Georgia, where he will next take the track during the AMA Pro Racing American Superbike race at Road Atlanta April 3-5, 2009.
15th PLACE SATURDAY RACE 1
"It’s unfortunate that the result doesn’t reflect the pace we ran all race long," said Yates. "We were gaining on the leaders and running comfortably in the low 24s when I lost the front. After pitting in and having the bike re-teched, we were able to head back out and end up inside the top 15."
10th PLACE SUNDAY RACE 2 – "What a race," said Yates. "On lap 15, I was making my move past Tommy Hayden on the front straight for second, when he missed a shift and moved down into my line. I don’t think he knew I was there but regardless, it caused me to run into the back of his motorcycle. I almost lost it and the collision caused some serious damage, causing me to ride the rest of the race with no front brakes and a flat front tire. It made for a long final four laps, but I was able to bring it home with a Top 10 finish. I’m disappointed not to leave Fontana with the results I know our team was capable of and I can’t wait to get to my home track next round at Road Atlanta."
AMA Superbike Points Standings:
1. Mat Mladin, Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Racing
2. Tommy Hayden, Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Racing
3. Geoff May, National Guard Jordan Suzuki
4. Blake Young, Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Racing
5. Ben Bostrom, Yamaha
6. Josh Hayes, Yamaha
7. Larry Pegram, Ducati
8. Aaron Yates, Jordan Suzuki
9. Aaron Gobert, Honda
10. Taylor Knapp, Suzuki