Barber

HOLDEN RACES TO THE LIME, TAKES POLE POSITION AND SECOND IN
BARBER SUPERSTOCK RACE

Barber Motorsports Park
Leeds, AL April 20, 2008

Image by Tom Riles Corona Extra Honda Racing and rider Jake Holden had a big weekend at Barber Motorsports Park, taking his Honda CBR1000RR to second place in the SuperStock event after putting the lime green Honda on Pole position. Team mate Matt Lynn backed this up with a creditable ninth in the second SuperBike race, in the thick of the factory bikes.

The weekend started well for the Team with both Matt and Jake up to speed in only the second race weekend ever for the brand new 2008 CBR1000RR. Matt finally got the Honda onto the third row in twelfth right next to the number 17 Factory Honda.

The big news for the weekend was Jake putting the Corona SuperStock bike into pole position - the first time in many years that a Honda has been top of the grid for the class. Jake called his bike “Spectacular” and credited his crew for getting it so good in such a short time. He had not been able to test at the track last month, waiting on parts for the bike, so had his work cut out to get up to speed!

In the first SuperBike race of the Doubleheader weekend, Matt got a good start and was in the thick of the factory bikes, holding a solid 10^th position after seven laps when his gearshift linkage snapped in half, forcing him into the pits for a replacement. He rejoined the race a couple of laps down and soldiered on but was unable to make up much time by the end of the race, settling for nineteenth.

It was terrific to see the Corona Extra Honda at the front of the SuperStock field and garnering the media attention – the only Honda in the race and right at the top! Jake’s start had him third after the first lap. He quickly put his head down and took the lead on lap two. He led the race for nine laps pulling away from the field with the exception of Aaron Yates who put on a spirited ride and chased him down on lap ten. Jake didn’t give up and hounded Yates until the last lap when a couple of back markers took away his chance of passing Yates, leaving him two seconds down at the flag. He was ecstatic however with his second place finish, coming right after finishing 13^th at Daytona. Jake said: “I didn’t get a good start but took off pretty good after that. My crew has been working really hard on the bike and it’s really great now. Not testing here probably made the difference in the race but Aaron rode really hard and deserved to win. I can’t wait for the rest of the season!” Holden is currently lying fourth in the SuperStock Championship.

In the second SuperBike race, Lynn worked his way up to tenth on lap six and then had a race long battle with Geoff May, finally getter the better of him on lap 22 and taking advantage of Hacking dropping out to take ninth. Lynn is currently eleventh in the SuperBike championship.

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