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Yates Grabs 3rd Place at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Aurora, IL (July 24, 2007)-Michael Jordan Motorsports Suzuki rider Aaron Yates earned his team their first AMA Superbike podium finish in Sunday's final event of the U.S. Grand Prix (MotoGP) weekend at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California. Yates' strong showing this weekend marks the first AMA Superbike podium finish from a non-factory team in recent memory.
During the practice sessions on Friday and Saturday, Yates proved his Suzuki GSX-R1000 had the speed to run up front with the factory contenders. The morning qualifying session on Sunday placed Yates just outside of the front row in fifth position. With a strong start in the 28-lap event, Yates quickly grabbed second place in the running order and engaged in a contentious battle for third place, where he finished.
"It feels good to be on the podium," said Yates. "I have a great group of guys behind me and it really motivates me to get up on the podium for the team."
Yates qualified his Dunlop-shod Suzuki with a time of 1:24.507 on Laguna Seca's 2.238 mile, 11-turn road course, only .002 seconds away from earning his third front row start for Jordan Suzuki. Earlier this season, Yates grabbed the Superbike holeshot in race two at Road America, ran as high as second place at Infineon Raceway, and rode in third place for most of the 28-lap Superbike race at Barber Motorsports Park. Yates is currently 7th in overall points in the AMA Superbike Championship.
"We came into the weekend feeling strong," stated General Manager Ken Abbott. "The crew has been working very hard on our Superbike program and we felt good about a possible podium finish. It was great that Michael and many of our sponsors were on hand at Laguna to celebrate this achievement with us."
Teammate Jake Holden qualified his Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superstock bike in 10th place, row three, and finished the race in eighth place, giving the young gun his fifth top-10 AMA Superbike result of the season.
The Jordan Suzuki team resumes racing action August 3-5, 2007 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio for a full race schedule, including a Superbike doubleheader. September 15-17, the AMA Superbike Championship returns to Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway for the series finale.
For more information on the team, visit the race team website at www.23race.com. To learn more about the weekend’s events, visit www.laguna-seca.com.
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.
The 2007 Michael Jordan Motorsports Suzuki team is proud to be partnering with Jordan Brand, American Suzuki, Upper Deck, Hanes, MMI - Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, AOL.com, Gatorade, Gemini Technology Systems, Boost Mobile, Bazzaz Performance, Dunlop Tire, Oakley, Yoshimura R&D, Vortex Racing, Makita Power Equipment, Roclun International, Ohlins Suspensions, Maxima Lubricants, Sharkskinz Racing Bodies, Motion Pro Tools and Cables, DID Chains, NGK Spark Plugs, Zero Gravity Windscreens, StompGrip Traction Pads, Factory Pro Dyno, Chicken Hawk Racing Tire Warmers, Ancra Tie-downs, STAR Motorcycle School, K&N Filters, Kicker Sound Systems, Sidi Boots, HJC and Shoei Helmets, VP Racing Fuels, World Championship Sports Network (WCSN.com), EXOST Digital Media, 23RACE.com, and transportation provided by Eastside Trucking.
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