Hot on the heels of Josh Hayes’s announcement on Wednesday that he will reunite with Squid Hunter Racing and race their team’s Yamaha YZF-R6 in Supersport at New Jersey Motorsports Park and Barber Motorsports Park later this season, news has broken that Hayes will, in fact, also be aboard a Yamaha R6 in Supersport this weekend at Brainerd International Racewsay.
Hayes has been pressed into duty by N2 Racing/BobbleHeadMoto as he fills in for team rider Kevin Olmedo, who is recovering from Guillain–Barré syndrome at home in El Salvador. Olmedo is hopeful to make a quick recovery and rejoin the team, but there is no timeline for his return at the moment.
Josh Hayes is currently riding the N2 Racing/BobbleHeadMoto Yamaha YZF-R1 in the N2/WERA National Endurance Series by Dunlop where the team recently team scored their first overall win at Roebling Road Raceway. Hayes brings an incredible amount of experience to the team that will help develop the Yamaha YZF-R6 in Olmedo’s absence.
Shiloh Salopek, crew chief for N2 Racing/BobbleHeadMoto said, “I am saddened to hear about Kevin’s recent diagnosis. Our team stands beside Kevin and his family during his road to recovery, and we look forward to when he will be healthy enough to be back on his Yamaha YZF-R6 fighting for podiums. I also would like to say thanks to Josh for being willing and able to fill in for Kevin at Brainerd International Raceway on such short notice.”
Hayes commented, “I am very thankful that N2 has entrusted me their Yamaha YZF-R6 during this tough time. After riding with Kevin Olmedo and working with them at Roebling Road Raceway during the N2/WERA National Endurance Race, I know the level of the equipment and how tight they are as a team. I hope I can do a good job at Brainerd in Kevin’s absence, and I look forward to gridding up with Kevin soon.”
A four-time AMA Superbike Champion, Hayes has won 84 AMA professional motorcycle road races in his career, and he currently ranks second to AMA Hall of Famer Miguel Duhamel’s 86 AMA race victories on the all-time wins list.
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