Daytona, FL March 15, 2012 – Veteran road racer Tommy Hayden will compete in the 2012 Daytona 200 aboard the Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha YZF-R6®, as a replacement rider for Garrett Gerloff, who suffered an unfortunate injury in the closing minutes of the first practice session for the Daytona SportBike class and the Daytona 200.
Commenting on the rider substitution, Keith McCarty, Motorsports Racing Division Manager for Yamaha, said, “Our hearts go out to Garrett Gerloff, and we wish him a speedy recovery. As for Tommy, we’re very fortunate to be able to enlist a rider of his caliber for the Daytona 200, and as a teammate with Cameron Beaubier. Tommy formerly rode for us, so we know first-hand how capable he is. It’s an unfortunate set of circumstances, to be sure, but we’re pleased to be able to have Tommy race Garrett’s Number 8 Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha R6.”
According to Tommy, “The last thing a rider wants to do is replace an injured rider. But, I rode for Yamaha a few years back, and they have always treated me like a special member of their family. I couldn’t be happier to be back!”
Qualifying for the Daytona 200 begins Friday, March 16, at 1:10 PM, and the Daytona 200 will go green on Saturday, March 17, at 1:00 PM.
