Cycle News

VOL. 51 ISSUE 49 DECEMBER 9, 2014 P27 Troy Bayliss, Guy Martin, Taddy Blazusiak, AMA Flat Track racers Brad Baker, Shayna Texter and Grand National Champion Jared Mees, to name a few. "I think definitely overseas it's gaining popularity," Hayden said. "That Superprestigio thing has really helped dirt track in gener- al, because I know a lot of people here want to go do it. People see how many guys who are actually riding flat track; you know a lot of MotoGP guys go to [Valentino] Rossi's ranch and ride it. "And here in America, I think the FanschoiceTV [AMA Pro Flat Track online streaming], helped flat track a lot," Hayden said. "I think that's what got me back re- ally wanting to do it, because I watched all those races on Satur- day night and then it got me think- ing, 'man, it'd be kind of fun to get back to doing a little flat trackin'.' So I definitely think it's gaining some steam." What's the appeal? "It really is really fun, and it's really competitive," Hayden said. "Especially on the short tracks, because it's hard to make passes and everybody's so quick. I think it's improving some [the follow- ing] and that's good, because it is one of the most exciting racing to watch." But getting back to his day job, racing Superbikes for Yoshimura, the National Road Racing Series has changed hands for 2015 with the Wayne Rainey-led KRAVE Group taking over the new Su- perbike MotoAmerica series. "I'm really excited about the change," Hayden said. "You know, I feel bad for the people who lost their jobs that came to the road races [DMG staff], I re- ally do feel bad for them. I don't want to see that happen, but we had to have a change. Some- thing had to be different. Our road racing was getting pretty down there." people who owned the series previously, maybe didn't care to see it grow. I think they were okay with where it was at." Hayden was around for when the paddock was full of factory teams and plush with semi trucks. "It's exciting for me too, be- cause I want to see road racing get back to where it was. I think it's exciting for the younger kids, "IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME, EVERYBODY'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE PATIENT. BUT, WE HAVE PEOPLE IN CHARGE NOW WHO ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT ROAD RACING, WHO WANT TO SEE IT GROW." Hayden went on to add that while change is good, people need to remember to be patient. Rome wasn't built in a day. "I know everybody's excited about the change but a lot of people are going to have to real- ize, and I don't think many peo- ple are seeing it, it's just going to take time," Hayden said. "It's not going to happen overnight. Next year's not going to be a complete change from the previous season and everybody's going to have to work together. Everybody's go- ing to have to be patient. "But, we have people in charge now who are passionate about road racing, who want to see it grow. I don't think that the helping to build racing here to get even bigger. Jake Lewis lives with me and in the middle of the summer he was asking me, 'do you think we'll have a series next year?' And I was thinking, 'God, I can't imagine when I was 19 won- dering if I was going to be able to race next season.' "Also, I think some people overseas might want to come race in America because they see that MotoAmerica is going to try and help people get to that next level. I'm really excited and looking forward to it. But yeah, I think people need to be patient and realistic and realize that next year is not going to be a miracle." Andrea Wilson

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