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Motorcycle Star Bostrom Tests Daytona Prototype
Written by: Grand-Am Communications   http://www.grand-am.com
07/23/2008 - 11:04 AM
Daytona Beach, Fla.
 
Ben Bostrom talks about his test with Riley Technologies principal Bill Riley. (Grand-Am photo) ยป More Photos

Motorcycle star Ben Bostrom doubled his two wheels to four Monday at Barber Motorsports Park, testing the No. 91 Riley Matthews Motorsports Pontiac Riley.

One day after winning his fifth AMA Supersport race of the season at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Bostrom was quickly able to get up to speed in the unfamiliar machinery.

“He did real good in the car,” said team manager Ken Swan. “We didn’t get as much time in the car as we would have liked, but he did well. He got in and quickly got up to speed. He did real well in the car, and we hope to get him back pretty soon – maybe after the end of this season.”

The versatile rider claimed the 1998 AMA Superbike championship, the 1993 AMA dirt track title, the gold in Supermoto in the inaugural X Games and the 2004 AMA Supermoto title.

Bostrom won six races – including five in a row – and finished third in the World Superbike championship for the factory L&M Ducati team in 2001.

“That was his first time in a car but we know he’s been quick in everything he’s been in,” said Swan. “I don’t know why more (motorcycle riders) aren’t doing it. They’ve got great control. You saw what Rossi did when he hopped in a (Formula 1) Ferrari.”

The 34-year-old rider now competes for Yamaha,
leading the 2008 AMA Supersport championship with five victories.

“I’ve been working with a gentleman named Alex Copson to put together a fairly large program down the road, and it’s all starting to swarm around right now,” said team co-owner Bill Riley. “One of the key elements in that is Ben Bostrom. I’ve known Ben for a year and a half or longer because of this deal, and this is a good opportunity to get Ben in a car, try him out and see how he likes it.”

Bostrom dominated Sunday’s race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, pulling away from the pole and winning the 17-lap race by 7.888 seconds. His Supersport triumph followed up World Superbike, AMA Superbike and Formula Xtreme victories at the circuit. Despite encountering trouble at Miller Motorsports Park earlier in the year, the Graves Yamaha rider leads Erion Honda’s Jake Zemke by 10 points after seven events.

“A lot of motorcycle guys are looking to transfer their careers to cars,” Riley said. “Ben has a strong desire to do that and is hoping this deal will happen. Hopefully we can transfer him in a couple of different levels. This would start up in ‘09.

“Right now, Ben’s just looking to see if he can get a feel for cars,” Riley said. “I think he’ll love it.”
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