Polen going to race Superbike this weekend... - Ducati.ms

Antigrav · Jun 5th, 2009, 11:21 pm

For the guys that took the one on one course...Doug will be racing in the AMA Superbike class this weekend so Tivo it!!! I think he will get smoked but the key will be the first couple laps he might be able to run with those guys...He was the dominant rider in the early 1990's let see how he does nowadays... this should be cool to see him open it up since we only got to see him putt around with us....

From Cycle News....
Four-Time World Champion and AMA Superbike Champion Doug Polen returns to AMA Pro Racing competition this weekend at Road America. Polen will be riding the # 27 4FR Toyota Trucks/GreenAcres.org American Superbike entry to help the team develop set up on the bike and evaluate their program overall.

This is a special project that will see Polen take his vast knowledge and rider know-how to the track where the race and riders are, rather than the norm of riders and bikes coming to him at scheduled school and track. It is a direct line of communication and guidance at the track of choice for those riders and team in need, all in real time.

Over the course of the weekend, Doug will be coaching the younger riders on the team as well as filling in for the injured American Superbike rider Scotty Van Hawk. "This is a great opportunity for the team and I was thrilled that we are able to put this together and that Doug was available. We hope to take what we learn from Doug this weekend and build on our recent top-ten finishes. It's an honor to add him to our roster" said 4FR team principal Scotty Van Hawk.

Doug Polen will use his 1on1 Riders School curriculum to guide the other team riders on and off the track during the weekend. "The 4FR team riders vary greatly in age and experience levels and are a perfect fit for my school program" said Polen. "I'm looking forward to working with them, riding the team's Superbike and help them sort it all out. It should be a great weekend"

08hyper · Jun 5th, 2009, 11:50 pm

Too COOL! I hope he does well!

Aloha Alex

johnchypermotard · Jun 6th, 2009, 12:33 am

don't be so sure doug will get smoked ... he can still outride the majority of riders in ama these days.

Antigrav · Jun 6th, 2009, 12:51 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnchypermotard

don't be so sure doug will get smoked ... he can still outride the majority of riders in ama these days.

Well I'm hoping he does fantastic, but Doug hasn't been racing in the superbike class in many years, he's on a new bike, and after speaking with him he doesn't work out at all and he is older...I'm not talking raw talent, he has that... I'm talking getting back in race shape and to race pace...

It great to hear the announcing on the speed channel every week with Scott Russel keeps saying how Doug taught him more than anybody about how to race...and Doug this and Doug that... he was a monster back then... I'll be rooting for him but won't have much for expectations...

AZ_Scott · Jun 6th, 2009, 2:08 am

Quote:

don't be so sure doug will get smoked ... he can still outride the majority of riders in ama these days.

Shyeah.

All due respect to Polen, a very accomplished racer and great champion, but...

Ten seconds off the pace isn't going to do it. Everybody reaches their prime, but what goes up must come down. Kevin Schwantz tried this a couple of years ago, too. Also at Road America, ironically enough. Didn't go so well...

heffergm · Jun 6th, 2009, 4:53 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZ_Scott

Shyeah.

All due respect to Polen, a very accomplished racer and great champion, but...

Ten seconds off the pace isn't going to do it. Everybody reaches their prime, but what goes up must come down. Kevin Schwantz tried this a couple of years ago, too. Also at Road America, ironically enough. Didn't go so well...

True, but I don't think Polen has any aspirations beyond helping develop a bike. He's there to lend some knowledge to the team, not try and run with the front group.

desmolvr · Jun 6th, 2009, 10:21 am

Hey Polen was able to dog Neal Hodgson that day you took his school. I was watching the 3Pm session. Neal passed Doug and his student at the end of the session next thing I see him right on his tail dogging him for almost a full lap.

**vduc** · Jun 6th, 2009, 11:21 am

I hope he does well, finish upright and not last. The part that's not right is Polen on a Suzuki

Number 23 on Ducati 888, that's the way I like it

Antigrav · Jun 6th, 2009, 11:25 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZ_Scott

Shyeah.

All due respect to Polen, a very accomplished racer and great champion, but...

Ten seconds off the pace isn't going to do it. Everybody reaches their prime, but what goes up must come down. Kevin Schwantz tried this a couple of years ago, too. Also at Road America, ironically enough. Didn't go so well...

Polen isn't trying to make a comeback... just helping, but either way it will be great to see him on the track... he has a real conservative style no big hanging off and minimal inputs is his credo. It will be cool to see that style compared to newer riders.

AZ_Scott · Jun 6th, 2009, 4:45 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antigrav

Polen isn't trying to make a comeback... just helping...

I didn't say he was. I was just responding to the assertion that Polen is currently better than "the majority of riders in AMA", which is a discredit to those riders. The guys who finish in the back half of the grid in Superbike are frikkin' fast, and I just get tired of hearing casual race fans bad mouth them, as if they are just plodding along, getting in the way.

Polen, in his prime, could certainly wipe the floor with almost everyone on today's grid, but nothing lasts forever...