Aaron Yates Takes Third in Wild Race
ELKHART LAKE, WI (June 7, 2009) – The Michael Jordan Motorsports teams of #23 Jordan
Suzuki and #54 National Guard Jordan Suzuki weathered a weekend of contrasting skies at Road
America during Round 6 of the AMA Pro Racing National Guard American Superbike
Championship. Saturday’s Race 1 at the Elkhart Lake circuit was run in full-wet conditions, while
Sunday's Race 2 took place with the sun shining and a dry track. This contrast was mirrored by
the action on the track for the Michael Jordan Motorsports teams with both Aaron Yates and
Geoff May experiencing disappointing results in Saturday’s Race 1 and both riders rebounding to
top five finishes in Sunday’s Race 2.
Aaron Yates, Jordan Suzuki No. 23
Aaron Yates and his #23 Jordan Suzuki had a solid weekend at the Wisconsin track, with the
veteran racer taking his second podium of the season in Sunday's Race 2 at Road America with
a third place finish. Yates and his crew made some notable setup changes late on Saturday
night, allowing Yates to head into Race 2 with improved front end feel on his 2009 Suzuki GSX-R
1000. Yates now enters the mid-season break with 152 points and sits seventh in the
Championship, just behind MJM counterpart Geoff May.
6th PLACE, SATURDAY RACE 1 – Starting from seventh position on the grid, Yates spent the
majority of the wet race muscling his Jordan Suzuki around the flowing Road America circuit. The
team made a calculated setup gamble based on the spotty conditions that did not play out in the
team's favor. Nevertheless, Yates ran a smart race and brought his #23 home in sixth position at
the finish.
“That was a long, cold, wet race,” said Yates. “We had a small chassis issue during the race that
hung with me the whole time. We set the motorcycle up a little stiff, hoping the track would dry
out, but it didn't work out that way. That made it challenging to ride in the full wet, as the bike was
overly stiff. I'm happy to bring my Jordan Suzuki home in one piece and tomorrow we'll give it
another go.”
3rd PLACE, SUNDAY RACE 2 – Race 2 at Road America was an excellent battle, with five riders
running in the front pack for much of the race, and Yates notching a third place finish at the flag.
The Jordan Suzuki rider started from seventh position and lost touch with the front group during
the early laps. However, Yates soon got his 2009 Suzuki on the gas and settled into the lead
group with half the race left to run. On the final lap, Yates found himself in P4 with third position
just off his front tire. As the riders entered the final chicane, Yates made a hard braking move up
on the inside of Blake Young and ultimately came across the stripe in the final rostrum position.
"It’s really good to be back here on the podium," said Yates. "I got a bad start and just put my
head down and rode hard for the rest of the race. I got up behind Blake but just couldn't get by
him, as he's so fast down the straights. On the last lap I just threw it in there in the chicane and
kind of parked it in front of him. I don't think he was expecting it and I guess he went down. It was
great to put my Jordan Suzuki on the box, though, and a big thanks to my crew for getting the
bike setup for today's race."
Geoff May, National Guard Jordan Suzuki No. 54
The #54 National Guard Jordan Suzuki team had a Saturday they would rather forget at Road
America with rider Geoff May being disqualified four laps into Race 1. May and team rebounded
strongly on Sunday with the #54 team putting its GSX-R back into the top five with a respectable
fourth place finish. May leaves Round 6 sitting in sixth in the National Guard American Superbike
Championship with 161 points, just three points behind fifth position.
DQ, SATURDAY RACE 1 – The first race at Elkhart Lake took place in dreary conditions with rain
falling and a fully wet racing surface. May was penalized by AMA Pro Racing officials for jumping
the start and was given a ride-through penalty as a result. Poor visibility on the track caused May
to miss the signals and continue on the track unaware of his pending penalty. With the rulebook
stating a rider must serve his penalty within three laps of being signaled, May was DQ'ed just a
few short laps into the race. While disappointed with the ruling, the #54 team immediately got to
work on the National Guard Jordan Suzuki and were determined to rebound for Race 2 on
Sunday.
"I really had no idea I was penalized," said May. "I didn't think I jumped the start and visibility was
so poor out there I just didn't see the AMA signals to pit in. Riding 170 mph down the straights in
the rain requires your full attention and coupled with the spray, I just missed it. It's frustrating, but
that's racing and I'm very motivated now for Race 2."
4th PLACE, SUNDAY RACE 2 – Launching from the front row, May wicked it up early, battling for
and capturing the lead multiple times in the opening laps. A setup planned for cooler conditions
hampered the #54 as the laps mounted, however, and caused May to lose the front pace as his
tire heated up. May dealt with the changing motorcycle characteristics well and brought his
National Guard Jordan Suzuki across the line in fourth position.
"We didn't nail the setup as well as we should have today," said May. "We never did a long run on
the bike during the practice sessions and that really hurt us today as the laps mounted. The bike
had a ton of grip early, but once everything warmed up, I just lost grip in the rear. The bike was
sliding everywhere and I had to back off and just bring the National Guard Jordan Suzuki #54
home with some good points."
ABOUT MICHAEL JORDAN MOTORSPORTS:
Legendary NBA star Michael Jordan formed Michael Jordan Motorsports in 2004 as a result of his
passion for motorcycle racing. His mission is to bring a new level of excellence and style to the
motorcycle racing industry. For more information on MJM, please visit www.23race.com –
www.twitter.com/23race - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-Jordan-
Motorsports/51748732097
ABOUT THE NATIONAL GUARD:
The National Guard is the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States and one of
the nation's longest enduring institutions. The National Guard operates in all 50 states, four
territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, Samoa and the Virgin Islands) and the District of Columbia. For
more information, visit the National Guard's Web site at www.NationalGuard.com
Michael Jordan Motorsports is proud to partner with: Jordan Brand (a division of Nike),
American Suzuki, Upper Deck, Hanes, Gatorade, National Guard, Bazzaz Performance,
LeoVince Exhaust, ELF Moto Lubricants, MMI - Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, Vortex Racing
Components, Dainese Leathers, AGV Helmets, Oakley, Gemini Technology Systems, Ancra Tiedowns,
Attack Race Bodies, Attack Performance, Chicken Hawk Racing Tire Warmers, DID
Chains, Factory Pro Dyno, NGK Spark Plugs, Performance Friction Brake Pads, Roclun
International, STAR Motorcycle School, Zero Gravity Windscreens, Sunoco Race Fuels, Vicci
Apparel, with transportation provided by Eastside Trucking.