Yoshimura Suzuki’s Toni Elias Scores Double Victory in Alabama

Roger Hayden Runs His Final Race

BREA, CA – September 24, 2018 – (Motor Sports Newswire) –  Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing’s Toni Elias earned an impressive sweep at Barber Motorsports Park this weekend, scoring victory in both Saturday and Sunday’s 2018 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship finale. Sunday’s win marked the ninth of the season for Elias, earning him the distinction of scoring the most MotoAmerica Superbike wins in 2018.

Elias’ teammate Roger Hayden experienced an emotion-filled weekend with hundreds of fans, fellow racers and race team members offering him well wishes as he competed in his final pro race. Hayden battled for a podium spot and finished fourth in Saturday’s race and then ran off the track early in Sunday’s race falling to last before charging back to finish eighth.

Elias had riveting battles for the win in both races, moving up quickly from his seventh-place start on the grid, Saturday he pulled away decisively late in the race to win by 7.34 seconds. Sunday’s race the top positions in the championship were all decided, so it was a no-holds-barred battle up front between Elias, Cameron Beaubier and Josh Herrin. At the checkered flag Elias won by three tenths of a second over Beaubier.

“It was an incredible way to end the year,” Elias said. “It was a real fair fight on Sunday since we were no longer thinking about points. It was a challenge and my team gave me a great bike. To have the most wins this year was a nice accomplishment for the team. Cameron [Beaubier] and his team had a fantastic year and they deserved the championship, but now we will begin testing and get ready to come back to fight to win back the No. 1 plate next season. I also will miss Roger as a teammate. He was a great competitor and teammate.”

For Hayden, Sunday marked the end of a brilliant racing career. Hayden announced his intention to retire from racing back in July. He raced professionally for 20 seasons. In 2006 he was named AMA Superbike Rookie of the Year and then in 2007 he won the AMA Supersport Championship.

“It was a tough weekend to focus, being pulled in every direction,” Hayden explained after Sunday’s race. “I was right there battling for a podium finish on Saturday and that felt good. Then I ran off the track in today’s race, but made a good charge back through the field. It was great to have so many family and friends from home here to be a part of this weekend.

“I’ve had a great career and I especially enjoyed racing for Yoshimura Suzuki. It hasn’t hit me yet that I’m done, but it probably will on Tuesday when everyone is doing the tire test and I’m home setting up a deer stand.”

Yoshimura Suzuki’s Don Sakakura was happy to end 2018 on a high note.

“It was a great way to end an up and down season,” Sakakura said. “We started so strong and then had some challenges in the middle of the season. But we rebounded and closed out the year on a positive note. The team’s goal is to take this momentum and carry it into off-season testing and then into next year’s championship.”

In the 40th Anniversary season of the Suzuki and Yoshimura Superbike partnership, Suzuki reached a major milestone this year winning a record-setting 200th MotoAmerica/AMA Superbike victory in July. Elias added three more bringing the total to 203 all-time victories for Suzuki at the end of 2018.

About Suzuki:

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (SMAI) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Outboard Motors and Automotive Parts and Accessories via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles, Outboard Motors and related products. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has business relations with 201 countries/regions. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com

Contact:
Avery Innis
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. Press Relations Manager
(714) 996-7040 x2241
[email protected]

Rachel Anderson
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. Press Relations / Marketing Specialist
(714) 996-7040 x2009
[email protected]

About Yoshimura R&D of America:

Yoshimura is “The Leader in Performance” and has been for more than 55 years. With unmatched skills, knowledge, and passion for racing, Yoshimura is on the forefront of the aftermarket exhaust industry. Yoshimura pipes are race bred and feature the same legendary performance, fit and quality that has been their trademark for more than five decades. To learn more about Yoshimura and view their wide variety of performance products, visit www.yoshimura-rd.com.

Contact:
Larry Lawrence
Lawrence Media (for Yoshimura R&D of America)
(317) 852-6390
[email protected]

Source: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

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