Aaron Yates is making his first visit to Phillip Island to contest the opening round of the 2014 Superbike World Championship. Mark Bracks spoke to the Gerogia native about the journey so far, and the way ahead…
MCnews.com.au; Aaron, welcome to Australia. What’s your first impressions?
“Thanks a lot. I’m liking it. One thing, everyone speaks English so that’s a good thing. The weather; today is just beautiful. It’s just awesome and that is one reason I got here early, so I could enjoy the summer time a little bit.”
MCnews.com.au; The new challenge with the Buell, did it take much talking to get into it?
“No not really. I signed last year a two year deal and the contract was to go WSBK racing in 2014. I kind of had my doubts with it a little bit. I was like, it sounds like a big job and big dreams but come the last couple of months they got it all sorted out and it’s going to happen. At this point in my career it is an awesome opportunity and I am really looking forward to it.”
MCNews.com.au; How has AMA Superbike been going for Buell?
“The bike is pretty much the same bike as 2012 when they let it compete in the Superbike class… They were running an 1100 – I think – and made it an 1190, it was an air-cooled bike and now it’s a water-cooled Rotax. Originally that’s where it came from, but I believe EBR had a lot to do with design and it’s all their own design now. First v-twin that I have really got to race and I like it. I like the way it makes power. I believe the bike is a beautiful street bike and we are asking a lot to go SBK racing but we are going to come out here and give it our best shot.”
MCNews.com.au; After years of being on in line fours did you have to change your riding style much?
“Not a whole lot. Most of the courses in America they are pretty tight and slow. They have some really slow corners, the twin seems to work really well driving off the corners. It’s a little heavier side-to-side in the real tight corners, but the more time we get on the bike and the more we learn about the set-ups and ride height, and the geometry of the bike it has got a lot better through the year for me, and we had some decent results last year.”
MCnews.com.au; Talk us through last year.
“The last race of the year I finished fifth. Was running fourth but slowed down at the end of the race due to some issues. We finished eighth overall my teammate was ninth in the series. That was with a DNF in the first round at Daytona; we had a tyre slip on the rim and we didn’t get any points there. Couple of issues where we didn’t make any points at a few other venues.
“That was my first year back too, from being injured in 2010, I slipped off at Fontana in practice and my leg got run over that and took me awhile to get over, that had some pretty bad breakage there.
“My first race back I go to ride the CRT bike at Indy with the GP Tech guys. I rode two races at the end of 2012 with the Evan Steel Performance BMW out of Tucson, Arizona ,and we finished the last race of the year in fourth so things worked out.
“I talked to Eric Buell and I ended up with a factory ride with EBR so I brought my guy Evan Steel that I worked with and his partner Phil from that business.
“We had a pretty decent year considering it was our first year back on a bike, first year back racing in the series, so we’re coming here this year looking to enjoy it and try to get some decent results try to learn the tracks.”
MCNews.com.au; It’s a big step so what are your expectations or is it just race by race?
“Yeah, definitely race by race pretty much. We’re going into the first round here basically with a new team and the same bike we finished with from last year, I believe because there has been so many things to get sorted and get the shop going and get the employees in Italy and get everything kinda going so we are hoping to just finish the first race. The bike I feel should fit the rules for the Evo class, what we’re riding, because it is basically the same bike you can buy and go race, there is not much difference to the thing but we’ve ended in the Superbike class, but hopefully we can race around with the Evo guys. I know we’re going to be a little bit down on speed — we were last year in American series — so hopefully with the track here with a little more not so much stop and go maybe with the more rhythm and the flow of this place we can keep up a little bit better. Hey, we’ll see how it goes.”
MCnews.com.au; When you read about the new manufacturers coming in and to get acceptance for the Buell, from your point of view and Eric, was there any doubt that this wasn’t going to happen this year?
“For me, my doubt came from just I knew it was a big step and a huge project to take on and make it happen but ultimately the sponsor, Hero that’s where they want to be in the international series. They want the exposure internationally so that’s where they wanted to put their money and that’s what we had to make happen.
“There was a couple things with the bike. We didn’t have enough fuel capacity with what we were running in the American series so we had to fit an auxiliary fuel tank under the seat, the bike is picking up weight. It’ going to be different from last year but that’s the only thing that’s going to be the hold up and it took awhile to get some stuff going but we’ll get to ride the bike for the first time this week so we’ll see how it goes.”
MCnews.com.au; Let’s go back a bit and talk me through your career because you have had a pretty long career in the AMA. When did it all start?
“As far as starting as an expert I had Pro-am MX license when I was 16, back in 1990 when I did some SX stuff on the East Coast in the 250 class on the two-strokes then of course.
“Started road racing in ‘92 turned expert in ‘93 did a couple of races in 600 Supersport at Ohio qualified 2nd to Miguel Duhamel first time there and had a couple of other decent runs.
“94-95 I got a support deal with Suzuki. Did 750 Superstock races and also rode an 883 Harley with a sponsorship from Maroni HD out of NY. Had some good races, won a few Harley races in 95 won Superteams championship.
“96 got on the Yoshimura factory Suzuki bike. Won the 750 Supersport national championship in ’96. 99 rode for muzzy Kawasaki but in 2000 went back to Yoshimura Suzuki.
“2002 won 600 SS national championship. 2005 won the 1000 Superstock championship. 2007 went and rode for Jordan Suzuki, won the 2008 Superstock championship.
“2010 was looking like a really strong year for us. We qualified on Pole for the second round at Fontana when I fell off and got hurt at. We had a really good round at the first round and thing I was on pole for the first round that year also on Superbike, I’m not 100% sure on that. All along when I was riding Superstock bikes from 96 I was riding two classes ,rode the superbike the same weekend also.
“2003 was leading the AMA Superbike Championship there and racing with Mat [Mladin] and stuff. I ended up having a couple of clutch issues and I think we ended up finishing second in the championship that year.
“In 05 06 in the Jordan team 2007, 2008 and 2009 I was runner up quite a few times on the Jordan Suzuki to Mat and Ben Spies so that’s kinda a quick example of my career I reckon. I’ve been doing it a long time. I got hurt there in 2010 and wasn’t ready to quit so here I am.”
MCNews.com.au; Talking about Yoshimura you have had a bit of experience with Aussies then with besides Mat, there was Reg O’Rourke, Denis Ackland and of course Peter Doyle, that must’ve been some highlights to say the least in that team?
“I didn’t’ really work with those guys as I had my own crew and all and then I was in the Jordan Suzuki team but I know all those fellows. So it was good times, so coming here to Australia brings back some good memories with the Yoshimura team, I reckon.
“It’s been a great career and I am really fortunate that it has lasted so long and I am really thankful that I have the opportunity to come and race the EBR/Hero superbike here at the World series.”
MCNews.com.au; Just going back to the Jordan team, to have a guy like Michael Jordan that has an interest in bikes AMA and MotoGP that must’ve been a bit of a surreal experience to be invited to work with a guy who is one of the world’s better known sportsmen with a guy that transcends all sports?
“Yeah, for sure, it was a great experience also and I think it really opened up a lot of eyes to our sport, having someone of his stature being involved with it. I think he has done some good things having a team. I got to hang out with him few times and I have a few buddies at home that spent a lot with him up in the suites watching the races and having a good time. That’s what they did; come a long to cheer along their riders at the races. It was a great experience. He is pretty down to earth. I am not much of a ball sports fan and all, I’ve been racing all my life you know. I have always been a little jealous of the money these ball sports guys make compared to what us motorcycle racers are worth. In that way it kinda took away a bit of excitement really that some people might have with being associated with the man, but he is definitely a legend. We had a great time.
“He gets out and rides a bit. The Gemini crew that ran our bikes and ran the team they had a couple of bikes prepared for him. He is a big guy so they had to make a few adjustments.”
MCNews.com.au; Is there any truth in the rumour that he carries a heap of money around in the boot of his car?
“Oh I don’t know about that one. A lot of regular people thin that ok Michael Jordan ,I’m riding for Michael Jordan and I made a bunch of money, I made less money racing for Michael Jordan than I did riding for Yoshimura Suzuki which was kinda strange.”
MCNews.com.au; What’s the highlight of your career? Have you got one or two that stand out?
“Mmm..I don’t know, I think right now for me is a highlight, getting to experience this and have this opportunity and try to make the most of it.
“Of course, there are some races that stand out like my first Superbike win in 1996 with Yoshimura Suzuki. That was a pretty tough battle with Mat Mladin. That is one of my standout races that I think about. The whole thing has been pretty good.”
MCNews.com.au; Did you get on well with Mat?
“Yeah we got along fine. He has this attitude, his little thing that he likes to try and put on with people and intimidate them, but me? I was fine with him. I never really got any of that from him. We were team mates but its kinda of a shame that we didn’t get to spend any more time together or be good friends, but when you’re racing its tough to be like that but I thought he was a cool guy, coz Mat has his thing but no, I am pretty easy going. I know how people are; people are people man, and I am not going to let it bother me.”
MCNews.com.au; So what do you do when you’re away from the racetrack?
“Lately, I have been taking care of my kid’s bike. My son, Ashton; I got a kid that’s about to be 15 and he’s been doing a lots of riding. We spend quite a bit of time down at Josh Herrin’s place that is close to home at Middle Georgia kart track. They run some mini road racing stuff like CRF100 and Supermoto stuff and all that. My boy is kicking arse down there. Actually, we just wrapped up a little winter series and he won, like, five championships in five classes, he outran all the big 450s on his 150r so towards the end of the year I managed to scrounge up a couple of TZ 125s and took them to road Atlanta and Barber there, as well and another GP track at Jennings over in the South East to get him a taste of the little higher speed road racing stuff and he’s going pretty decent.”
MCNews.com.au; So Ashton is one to look out for?
“Yeah, I think so, possibly. I learnt about this European junior Cup deal that they are doing with the World Superbike program and I am really hoping to slip him off in a couple of races and get a couple of wild Card rides or something. To me I feel like the best opportunity is to stick him in there and do the whole thing right now, but he is in school and he’s pretty excited about the soccer season coming up so that’s where his head is at right now. When I get home after this trip we are going to have to have some serious discussion and see what we are going to do; what rounds he wants to do or we can make it all happen. He is pretty good at any sports he does. He is nice and thin and lightweight, very active and he is a damn good motorcycle rider. It’s exciting to see what the future may hold for him.”
MCNews.com.au; Are you Georgia born and bred?
“Yes, I am.”
MCNews.com.au; Gee you don’t sound anything like Scotty Russell, that’s for sure!
“Much laughter, I don’t know what to say to that one!”
MCNews.com.au; Okay, back to the here and now. I know you haven’t been around Phillip Island but now you have you seen it for real what are your first impression Phillip Island?
“I am a little far away from it, but I was a little surprised it almost looks a little narrow maybe than I was expecting ,but I haven’t been on the track to see but its looks like it’s a really flowing rhythm sort of track.”
MCNews.com.au; Is that your sort of track or you don’t care?
“It just all depends on the feel of the bike and confidence in the motorcycle really, and the faster the course is the bike has to work well and put it where you want and make it change direction. We will just have to see with the extra fuel.”
MCNews.com.au; With that extra fuel on board is going to be different especially at the start of a race.
“It’s going to be a different motorcycle to what it was last year. It could be a benefit, there is no telling. I haven’t ridden the bike since October last year.
“The track looks like a lot of fun it looks like it flows really nice and that’s one thing in America, a lot of the tracks have a lot of stop and go, they don’t have a nice flow where to you can get a good rhythm . It’s more of attack the track and flick the bike around which I guess those kinds of tracks I excel at a bit, and then again I’ve had good results at large tracks too.”
MCNews.com.au; Here it is one extreme to the other; probably the fastest left hander in the world coming into a stop corner.. What are you like at those types of tracks ?
“I like the variation I like the direction change on the braking. Definitely I like the elevation change.
“The views you get on the TV, being here it doesn’t look anything like that. It looks like such different angles so, you never know until you get out there and go around it.”
MCNews.com.au; Is there anyone in the crew that has experience around here and other tracks?
“We have a fairly experienced crew of Italians that are working with us this year. My main crew chief is Evan Steele who I worked with last year and I have a couple of Americans I worked with. I am not sure of my tyre guy, Virginio Bardi is one of the chief guys in the team, Paolo – not sure of his last name – he has been around a long time who has worked with Rumi Honda.
“Then my teammate, Jeff, his crew chief worked with Carlos Checa the year he won the championship, so we will have a lot of experience to help us.”
MCNews.com.au; What about Pirelli tyres as it’s your first time on them?
“That will be different for me because I have always run Dunlop’s. We had a little test session at the end of October and spent a couple of days riding on them, I’m not 100% sure we really had the World spec’ tyres. I’m just looking forward to getting out there. Tyres are tyres. We will make the bike work around it and get used to it and just roll with it. I just want to get out there I can’t wait.”
NB: May and Yates were second and third last on the timesheets at the end of the first day of testing, but that is somewhat to be expected and it will be interesting to see how much progress they make over the course of this week. They are starting from scratch almost, thus it is a brave baptism of fire on the world stage for the Erik Buell Racing Team. If it rains could they be an outside chance….?
