Attack Kawasaki's Davies Keeps Points Lead in Formula Xtreme

2008-04-20 10:41
Attack Kawasaki's Chaz Davies added another podium finish to his season in the AMA Formula Xtreme class at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala. Teammate Steve Rapp made a great comeback to finish fifth. In the AMA Superbike class, Monster Energy Kawasaki's Jamie Hacking worked his way up through the pack to finish fourth.

Davies made the most of an up and down race to finish on the box for a second time this season. When he took his parade lap, he noticed something was not right. The team worked to get the bike right and he was able to finish in third and maintain the points lead.

"The first couple corners were really good," said Chaz. "My start wasn't too good but I was able to pass a few people right away. I was pushing it really hard. Once I saw the first-place rider go down, I decided to not push as hard and try to ride smart."

After his win in Daytona and a follow-up podium finish, Davies was able to maintain the AMA Formula Xtreme points lead.

"Its good to have the points lead, but it's a long season," said Davies. "We just need to keep being smart and try to repeat these good finishes."

Rapp got an incredible jump off the line to go into the first turn in the lead. On the second lap, he went down but was able to quickly jump back on the bike and rejoin the field in 16th. He used the last 15 laps to make up 11 positions to finish with a respectable fifth place.

"The bike was running really good," said Rapp. "My team worked really hard on the bike and I was obviously not happy to go down, but definitely glad to come back to finish fifth."

The AMA Superbike class had its ups and downs as well with leaders crashing and constant position changes. Hacking got a good start from the seventh position and pushed the rest of the race to made smart passes, eventually coming across the finish with a solid fourth.

"My race had its ups and downs," said Hacking. "I didn't get that great of a start. The rest of the race I was trying to make a charge toward the front and was able to get up to third. I got passed, but held on to it for fourth. It's a much better start this year than last year and we are going to keep making adjustments to make sure we are constantly up front."

Roger Hayden Update

During the AMA Superbike qualifying session on Saturday, Monster Energy Kawasaki's Roger Hayden went down and was taken to the hospital for further examination. He broke his pinky finger and will require surgery to repair it. He was really sore on his left side, mostly on his hip and back. He stayed overnight at the hospital for further observation and is expected to be released on Monday.

At the second round of the AMA Superbike series, Hacking showed off a new design for his number two machine. The design inside the number also matches a design that appears on the back of his leathers.

With the ups and downs before the start of the AMA Formula Xtreme race, Davies' team was able to work together to get him back on the track with a podium-finishing bike. The team that supports the rider is extremely crucial to the results.


For all the pictures, videos and most recent Kawasaki racing action, visit www.kawasaki.com/racing


AMA Superbike Series
Barber Motorsports Park - Birmingham, Ala.
April 19, 2008

AMA Formula Xtreme Series
1. Jake Zemke, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda
2. Martin Cardenas, Medellin, Columbia, Suzuki
3. CHAZ DAVIES, KNIGHTON, UK, ATTACK KAWASAKI
4. Larry Pegram, Pataskala, Ohio, Ducati
5. STEVE RAPP, MANHATTAN BEACH, CALIF., ATTACK KAWASAKI
6. Aaron Gobert, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
7. Josh Hayes, Gulfport, Miss., Honda
8. Danny Eslick, Broken Arrow, Okla., Suzuki
9. Garrett Carter, Royal Oak, Mich., Suzuki
10. Payton Sassaman, Macon, Ga., Yamaha

AMA Formula Xtreme Points Standings
1. CHAZ DAVIES, KNIGHTON, U.K., ATTACK KAWASAKI, 65
2. Martin Cardenas, Medellin, Columbia, Suzuki, 59
3. STEVE RAPP, MANHATTAN BEACH, CALIF., ATTACK KAWASAKI, 58
4. Jake Zemke, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda, 56
5. Larry Pegram, Pataskala, Ohio, Ducati, 56
6. FERNANDO AMANTINI, CARACAS, KAWASAKI, 41
7. Danny Eslick, Broken Arrow, Okla., Suzuki, 32
8. Barrett Long, Miami, Fla., Ducati, 30
9. Eric Wood, Ashburnham, Mass., Ducati, 28
10. Richard Cooper, BMW, 26

AMA Superbike Class
1. Matthew Mladin, Henderson, Nev., Suzuki
2. Jason Disalvo, Stafford, N.Y., Yamaha
3. Tommy Hayden, Owensboro, Ky., Suzuki
4. JAMIE HACKING, DENVER, N.C., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
5. Neil Hodgson, Isle of Man, UK, Honda
6. Miguel Duhamel, Las Vegas, Nev., Honda
7. Eric Bostrom, Malibu, Calif., Yamaha
8. Geoff May, Gainesville, Ga., Suzuki
9. Chris Peris, Calgary, Canada, Suzuki
10. JORDAN SZOKE, BRANTFORD, CANADA, KAWASAKI

AMA Superbike Points Standings
1. Matthew Mladin, Henderson, Nev., Suzuki, 76
2. Jason Disalvo, Stafford, N.Y., Yamaha, 61
3. Tommy Hayden, Owensboro, Ky., Suzuki, 56
4. JAMIE HACKING, DENVER, N.C., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 53
5. Ben Spies, Longview, Texas, Suzuki, 52
6. Neil Hodgson, Isle of Man, UK, Honda, 50
7. Miguel Duhamel, Las Vegas, Nev., Honda, 44
8. Geoff May, Gainesville, Ga., Suzuki, 44
9. Chris Peris, Calgary, Canada, Suzuki, 40
10. Aaron Yates, Milledgeville, Ga., Suzuki, 36
17. ROGER HAYDEN, OWENSBORO, KY., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 23

Source: KMC

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