Szoke To Fill In For Hayden At Laguna

Paul Carruthers | September 26, 2008
The following is from Kawasaki…

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s road race team will give Canadian Kawasaki rider Jordan Szoke (Z-oh-K) a special opportunity to ride with the factory team during the series finale at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif. this weekend. The opportunity comes just a short time after wrapping up his fifth-career Canadian superbike championship and third-consecutive Pro 600 Sport Bike championship aboard the Kawasaki Ninja® ZX-6R and ZX-10R.

Szoke will be contesting the AMA Superbike class, filling in for Monster Energy Kawasaki team rider Roger Hayden. Hayden will miss the final event due to a shoulder injury sustained at the last round at Road Atlanta.

“I’ve raced AMA events before, but this opportunity is special since I’m under the factory tent,” said Szoke. ”I’m really excited and I hope that I can make Kawasaki proud.”

Along with having a new rider under the tent, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jamie Hacking is looking to finish out his season on top at one of his favorite tracks on the circuit.

Attack Kawasaki’s Chaz Davies and Steve Rapp have used the three-week down time to recover from injuries received during the AMA Supersport race at Road Atlanta. Along with other minor injuries Davies broke his wrist, while Rapp broke and dislocated his thumb. Both riders are looking to finish out their seasons strong in Monterey.

Paul Carruthers | Editor

Paul Carruthers took over as the editor of Cycle News in 1993 after serving as associate editor since starting his career at the publication in 1985. Carruthers has covered every facet of the sport in his near-28-year tenure at America's Daily Motorcycle News Source.