Eric Bostrom and Tommy Hayden Officially Green

En route to winning this year's 600 SuperSport title aboard his NINJA®ZX-6R motorcycle, Bostrom - who turns 25 on November 19th and resides in LasVegas, Nev. -- took first-place finishes in the 600 class at Road Atlanta,Pikes Peak and the prestigious Laguna Seca event...

He also captured Superbikewins aboard his NINJA ZX-7R at Laguna Seca and Loudon, finishing a closesecond in the competitive AMA Superbike series.

Looking ahead to the 2002 season, Bostrom is pleased to be focusing allof his energy on Kawasaki's Superbike effort. "I'm thrilled to be back withKawasaki," explained Bostrom. "This is definitely a new opportunity since I'mleaving the 600 behind. It's good to be focusing our efforts directly onSuperbike, because we'll be able to get a lot more done as far as testinggoes."

Team Manager Mike Preston is just as enthusiastic as Bostrom isconcerning their continuing relationship. "I'm really excited to have theopportunity to work with Eric again," he said. "Of course we're thrilled thathe won the 600 SuperSport Championship, especially because that was one ofthe goals that Eric and I had set for the 2001 season. For 2002, we're goingto focus on Superbike, and I believe that Eric has the talent, the tenacityand the mental strength to win that championship."

Preston also expresses confidence in his newest team member's abilities."Tommy Hayden is a rider that Kawasaki was interested in when we firstbrought the team in house," says Preston. "He's had a few years of experiencenow, and he seems like he will fit in to our program very well. By puttinghim on a championship-winning team, on a championship-winning bike, webelieve he has championship-winning potential."

Hayden brings to Kawasaki a career replete with professional dirt-trackand road racing experience. He comes from a racing family and his twobrothers also have factory sponsorships. Furthermore, he is no stranger toKawasaki. In 1997 and 1998, Hayden was a member of Team Muzzy Kawasaki, wherehe raced both Superbike and 600 SuperSport. In 1997, during his Kawasakitenure, Hayden was named Rookie of the Year, thanks to his numerous top-10finishes.

While on hiatus from Kawasaki, the talented, 23-year-old Kentucky nativecontinued to hone his racing skills, and has finished impressively in thepoints standings in both Superbike and 600 SuperSport. In 2001, he finishedfourth overall in the 600 class. Preston and Hayden both believe that he canbring Kawasaki another 600 SuperSport title.

Says Hayden, "I am really excited to be back riding for Kawasaki. I amdefinitely looking forward to riding the 600 this year. Eric will be a realgood teammate, and he pretty much proved the bike's capabilities by winningraces and the championship. Hopefully I can get in there and pick up where heleft off. I'm looking forward to working with the entire Kawasaki Road Racingteam and I'm excited to get on the NINJA ZX-6R and do a few laps."