Hayes Joins World Supersport Team

Hayes, the 2006-2007 Formula Xtreme Champion and 2003 AMA Superstock winner, will move onto the international racing scene after a stellar career in the U.S.

I am looking to show the world what I can achieve, says Hayes. My plan was always to graduate to World level but once I got a reputation for being good on a 600 in the U.S., it made sense to keep me there. Now I have a chance and Im going to take it.

Hayes will make his racing debut for Parkalgar Honda on Sept. 21 at the Vallelunga Circuit, near Rome, Italy. The team is making arrangements for a testing session on a track in the United Kingdom to get Hayes set up on the new Parkalgar Honda CBR600 race bike, but the transition for the Gulfport, Miss. native should be a quick one, given his experience racing a Honda CBR600 in the U.S. for Erion Honda.

Hayes will race for Parkalgar Honda alongside Miguel Praia, and will take the place of the late Craig Jones who died in August from injuries suffered in a World Supersport race at Brands Hatch.

We are delighted to have Josh on board for the final three rounds of the World Championship, says Simon Buckmaster, Parkalgar Honda Team Manager. He is a rider with big ambitions and a racing pedigree the step up to World level will give him the chance to test himself against the best riders in the world.

While Hayes will finish the 2008 season in the World Supersport series, he has the World Superbike series in his sights.

Josh Hayes has earned a top superbike ride. He can run with the best racers in the world and deserves a legitimate shot of achieving his goal of being a World Champion, says Michael Murphy, of Hardcard Holdings who will represent Hayes for international racing opportunities. Josh is a victim of his own success. He became such a valuable 600cc sales tool that he was bypassed for Superbike rides. We want to change that. Were working on a program that will allow Josh to showcase his abilities in World Superbike.