CN
III ARCHIVES
BY LARRY LAWRENCE
T
he Hayden family toured around
the country in their box truck, go-
ing from race to race for the better
part of 15 years. The boys Tommy,
Nicky and Roger Lee and even their
sister Jenny were chasing the racing
circuit nearly every weekend from
March to November. Jenny later fell
away from racing to pursue tennis,
but the boys went from flat tracks to
road racing and one by one turned
pro. Even after the boys were all fac-
tory riders their father Earl was al-
ways part of the program.
It's one of the biggest differences
between motorcycle racing and auto
racing. A family of average means
can support a motorcycle racer all the way into the
pro ranks. Unless you're from a wealthy family it's
hard to make it anywhere near the highest level of
auto racing without major outside sponsorship.
Earl and Rose Hayden certainly made sacrifices
to help their boys pursue racing careers. "We got
help from friends who were behind the boys rac-
ing," Earl said. "And we'd do little things like, if we
stopped to eat on the way back from a race, we'd all
get water instead of Cokes. You'd be surprised how
much money you'd save doing little things like that."
The biggest difference of course between cars
and motorcycles is the cost of the racing equipment.
In motocross and flat track you can be ready to go
racing for around $8000, and not much more in road
racing. And if you have the talent, that bike will get
you into the main of a national motocross, flat track or
road racing event. Compare that to what it would cost
to field a stock car, much less an Indy Car. That's why
in motorcycle racing it's not uncommon for parents
(mostly dads, but sometimes moms too) to be the ma-
jor backer of a young professional racer.
RACING'S PARENTAL CONNECTION
P116
(Top) James Stewart Sr. (left) still active
with Jr.'s (right) racing career. (Bottom) Earl
Hayden gives the youngest Hayden brother
Roger a congratulations hug for winning
the 2007 AMA Supersport Championship.
