MotoGP: Nicky Hayden completes first lap of Indianapolis Motor Speedway on 1909 Indian

Repsol Honda’s Nicky Hayden has ridden the first lap of the newly-configured Indianapolis Motor Speedway today on a 1909 Indian Motorcycle.

The Kentucky rider rode the circuit, which he will compete on with the rest of the MotoGP riders on September 14, 2008 when motorcycle racing returns to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time since its original construction in 1909.

Following his lap, the 2006 MotoGP champion, said: “When the bike first fired up I wondered what I got myself into! Then when I was doing about 40mph down the straight it felt like a hundred.

“I really enjoyed the ride though, especially my old school helmet, that was my favourite part!”

Following his lap of the 2.620-mile circuit on the Indian, Hayden then went out on a Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade, painted in special US MotoGP colours.

Hayden added: “It is a real honour to be the first rider to enjoy a lap of the new Indy track and I can’t wait to get out there on a MotoGP bike in September.

“I expect most of my hometown of Owensboro, Kentucky to be there, they may have to close the town down that day.”
 
The inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix will be the 14th round of the 2008 MotoGP World Championship and will take place over the weekend of September 12-14, 2008.