As further evidence of his tremendous bargaining leverage with Honda (his superbike employer), young phenom Nicky Hayden (and his even younger brother, Roger Lee) will race Harley-Davidson motorcycles in a limited number of 2001 AMA Flat Track championship events.
Hayden’s goal is to win a “grand slam”, and he needs a win in the dirt track mile and TT events to do it. Expected to compete in up to 15 races, Nicky will substantially increase his risk of injury during this Superbike season — something Honda can’t be too happy about. At the same time, it is largely dirt track experience that honed his tremendous riding skills in the first place.