Press Release | July 1, 2008
The following is from Ben Spies’ publicist… Ben Spies ran a hot lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Monday in preparation for Tuesday and Wednesday’s MotoGP tire test at the world famous circuit, but this time it was in a pair of Nikes instead of on the Rizla Suzuki GSV-R. Spies got a close-up glimpse of the new 2.62-mile Indianapolis MotoGP circuit in his run around the Speedway. “This place is vast,” Spies said of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, also known by its nickname The Brickyard. “I’m excited about getting on the track. It’s a nice layout. It looks like it’s going to be very fast in places and very technical in others.” Spies spent some time working with the Rizla Suzuki test squad, having the GSV-R’s cockpit adjusted to his settings and discussing set up possibilities for the machine. Spies, the 23-year-old AMA Superbike Champion from Longview, Texas, is set to compete as a wildcard entry in the two U.S. Motorcycle Grand Prix rounds – the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix in Monterey, Calif., on July 20 and the Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Sept. 14. “We’re hoping to put in a lot of laps here in Indy,” Spies said of the MotoGP tire test. “I’m looking forward to really getting to know the bike and how the tires react when pushed hard, as well as learning this new circuit. I feel honored to be among the first to get to ride a GP bike at speed here in Indy. Being able to race at this track, which has so much tradition and is known throughout the world, is something any racer would dream about.” The test session is slated to run from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday. The test is open to the public. Visit www.redbullindianapolisgp.com for additional information.
