Team Hammer and Joe Roberts opened the AMA Pro Daytona SportBike weekend in a positive fashion today at Laguna Seca while performing alongside the world’s best production racers.
M4 SportbikeTrackGear.com Racing’s Roberts came to the combined AMA Pro/World Superbike event in Monterey, California looking to put a disappointing round at Barber Motorsports Park behind him. He’s off to a solid start in that aim, immediately showcasing a pace similar to the one he used to score a dramatic final-lap victory at the circuit in last year’s AMA SuperSport contest.
The 17-year-old DSB rookie was 20th out of 36 riders in the morning’s free session and then slashed his time by nearly three seconds (1:29.555 vs. 1:32.259) to gain five positions during provisional qualifying.
“It’s gone a little better,” Roberts said. “I did pretty much the same time as I did last year so that’s encouraging. I’m starting to find my comfort with this bike a little more. I’m having some fun. I feel like for tomorrow’s session there are a couple places where I know I can improve, so I’m sure I can be a little further up tomorrow.
“Barber was pretty much a disaster, but I’ve put that behind me. I love this track a lot and I’m confident due to the results I had here last year. Having raced here before I’m familiar with the lines I need to run and I have an idea what I want the bike to do here. I’m looking forward to seeing how this weekend plays out.”
On Saturday Roberts will secure his grid position for Sunday’ s 20-lap Daytona SportBike contest.
About Team Hammer: In 2014, Team Hammer, Inc. is competing in its 34th consecutive racing season, and is marking its eighth year of offering technical and logistical support through its Contract Services Department. Riders on Team Hammer-prepared racebikes have earned 59 AMA Pro National race wins; 135 AMA Pro National podium finishes; 5 AMA Pro Championships; 133 Overall National Endurance race wins; 13 National Endurance Championships and assorted other race wins and titles.
