Yamaha’s Bostrom Sends Clear Message to Suzuki at Infineon Raceway Test Session

Press release from Infineon Raceway



Photo By Robert Redmond

SONOMA, Calif. (April 21, 2009) — Yamaha’s Ben Bostrom sent a clear message to Rockstar Makita Suzuki on Tuesday during an AMA Pro Road Racing Test Session at Infineon Raceway.

Bostrom posted the best time during the two-day test session at 1 minute, 36.6 seconds over the 12-turn, 2.22-mile road course for American Superbike. The time was the quickest overall for the two-day session, bettering Bostrom’s best lap from Monday (1:37.19).

Photo By Mike Doran

Bostrom’s time set the stage for the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown, presented by Supercuts, May 15-17, in the Sonoma Valley. Suzuki has dominated the American Superbike class at Infineon Raceway, winning the last eight main events, but Bostrom’s efforts should make for a competitive race weekend. Yamaha’s last Superbike win in Sonoma came in 2001 (Anthony Gobert).

“It’s one of my favorite tracks in the world and it’s my old stomping grounds, “ said Bostrom, a native of Redding and a graduate of nearby Petaluma High School.  “The layout is almost like two of the hardest tracks put together, and it’s a great place to test and get ready for the rest of the season.”


Photo By Mike Doran
 

 Seventeen riders from nine teams, including Attack Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, Corona Extra Honda and Foremost Ducati, attended the test, which was billed as Two-Wheel Thunder.  More than 200 race fans came out to watch testing, as well as Supermoto USA demonstrations and a Track Talk Q&A session with riders.

Photo By Mike Doran

Bostrom, the reigning AMA Pro SuperSport Champion and winner of the 2008 Supersport race in Sonoma, was followed by Suzuki’s Blake Young (1:36.89) and Mat Mladin (1:36.95).  This marked the first official test for Suzuki riders on-board the new 2009 GSX-R1000.

Attack Kawasaki’s Jamie Hacking also posted the top time for the second day among the Daytona SportBike riders (1:39.3), followed by Graves Yamaha’s Josh Herrin (1:39.45) and Steve Rapp (Bazzaz Racing, 1:39.9).

Photo By Mike Doran
  

For ticket information to the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown, presented by Supercuts, in May visit www.infineonraceway.com or call 800-870-RACE.

AMA Pro Road Racing Series Test Session

Infineon Raceway, Sonoma

The top times from Monday’s test session over the 12-turn, 2.22-mile road course at Infineon Raceway. All times were reported by individual race teams:

AMERICAN SUPERBIKE

Ben Bostrom (Yamaha) 1:36.6

Blake Young (Suzuki) 1:36.89

Mat Mladin (Suzuki) 1:36.95

Josh Hayes (Yamaha) 1:37.2

Larry Pegram (Ducati) 1:37.3

Jake Holden (Honda) 1:37.3

Tommy Hayden (Suzuki) 1:37.6

Kevin Boisvert (Suzuki) 1:44.2

Husband Dylon (Kawasaki) N/A

DAYTONA SPORTBIKE

Jamie Hacking (Kawasaki) 1:39.3

Josh Herrin (Yamaha) 1:39.45

Steve Rapp (Yamaha) 1:39.9

Roger Hayden (Kawasaki) 1:40.1

Tommy Aquino (Yamaha) 1:40.18

Michael Beck (Yamaha) 1:41.4

Tyler Odom (Honda) 1:43.4

Chris Clark (Yamaha) 1:45.9

SUPERSPORT

Leandro Mercado (Kawasaki) 1:41.49