As we count down the days until the first MotoGP™ race of the season this Sunday, March 23, in Qatar, the “Kentucky Kid” Nicky Hayden, shares his final thoughts on preparations to date and the competition to come.
IN THE GARAGE with…NICKY HAYDEN
U.S. MotoGP™ Rider (#69)
Team: Drive M7 Aspar
Motorcycle: Honda
COUNTING THE DAYS UNTIL QATAR…
COTA: Only a week until the season opener. What’s going through your head right now?
NICKY: It’s an exciting time for sure as today I’m leaving for the start of my 12th season in MotoGP, which is an honor. So, I’m a bit nervous as it’s the first race with a new team. But mostly, I’m just excited.
COTA: You’ve expressed concerns about your new Honda motorcycle and the amount of power it produces. Have you made any progress there?
NICKY: Well top speed is not our strength at the moment with this bike, but it’s time stop complaining and go racing. We know it’s not going to be easy, and I am not as confident as I thought I would be with this new bike. But I need to focus on what I can control and improving where I need. And for me that’s taking advantage of the strength of the brake, and using its braking to 100 percent. I also need to re-adjust my brain to not use the clutch on back shifts on the corner entry and let the electronics do all the work—and not have the two systems working again each other. It’s the first time in my career where I don’t need to use the clutch, and it’s a little harder to do than it sounds when you’re pushing at maximum and the reaction takes over.
COTA: Next up on the MotoGP calendar is the race in Austin at COTA. What are you looking forward to with your next trip to Texas?
NICKY: The fans! The support I get here at my home GP is amazing. It’s really a pleasure to have so many fans standing behind me rain or shine, so it will be nice to see everyone and have my family at the race. That’s also pretty special. They can come along, support me and enjoy the event. And Mom can sell her merchandise at her stand, which I know she loves!
MULTIPLE CHOICE…
COTA: Okay, it’s time to get to know the real Nicky Hayden. Tell us your preference of these choices:
COTA: Batman or Superman?
NICKY: They are both cool. But I prefer the former racers who have won the grand slam!
COTA: Pizza or cheeseburger?
NICKY: Pizza
COTA: Beer or bourbon?
NICKY: M7 Drive Energy Drink!
COTA: Mountain retreat or ocean view?
NICKY: Ocean view
COTA: Dog or cat?
NICKY: Dog
COTA: Star Wars or Star Trek?
NICKY: Neither. I’m not into that stuff.
COTA: Friday night or Saturday morning?
NICKY: Saturday morning
COTA: M&Ms or Reese’s Pieces?
NICKY: Both!
COTA: Football or basketball?
NICKY: Basketball
COTA: Blonde or brunette?
NICKY: One of each, please!
DON’T FORGET – RED BULL GRAND PRIX OF THE AMERICAS TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!
COTA’s 2014 MotoGP event features many new fan-friendly options, including
- Three-day weekend passes and single-day ticket options for fans;
- Fans can purchase three-day MotoGP Paddock Passes for $150 and roll like a VIP all weekend;
- A new dry camping option for fans who want to stay close to the circuit all weekend; and
- Kids 12 and under receive FREE general admission with a ticketed adult.
GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE GREATEST SPECTACLE IN TWO-WHEEL RACING!
Single-day general admission tickets start at $39 for Friday’s practice sessions, and single-day reserved seats start at $59. Three-day weekend passes start at $89 for general admission or $139 for reserved seats. Three-day dry camping passes are available and start at $150 per space.
MotoGP Ticket and Parking Prices – Circuit of The Americas – April 11-13, 2014
| Seating Type | Single-day Ticket/Person | Three-day Weekend Pass/Person |
| General Admission | $39 to $59 | $89 |
| Reserved Seat | $59 to $109 | $139 to $199 |
| Paddock Pass | N/A | $150 |
| Kids 12 and under | FREE GA with ticketed adult | FREE GA with ticketed adult |
| Dry Camping Space* | N/A | $150 (20’x20’) or $300 (20’x40’) |
| Parking Type | Single-day Parking/Vehicle | Three-day Weekend Parking/Vehicle |
| Cars | $20 | $45 |
| Motorcycles | $10 | $20 |
*Dry camping access to electrical power and water is available for an additional fee.
To purchase tickets, parking and camping, visit http://circuitoftheamericas.com/motogp/.
About Circuit of The Americas
Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, is the home of world championships and a world-class destination for premium sports and entertainment. COTA has been nominated as the 2014 “Sports Facility of the Year” by SportsBusiness Journal/Daily. The same publication named COTA’s annual marquee event, the FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX, “Sports Event of the Year” for 2013. Additionally, COTA is the new North American home for the summer edition of ESPN’s X Games. More than one million visitors come to COTA each year for events such as MotoGP™, United Sportscar Racing, the FIA World Endurance Championships, business and social functions, and more than 20 performances at the venue’s acclaimed Austin360 Amphitheater, winner of Pollstar’s “Best New Major Concert Venue” award for 2013. COTA’s 1,500-acre campus includes a variety of permanent structures, including a 44,000-square foot Event Center, an impressive Main Grandstand with hospitality suites and the Velocity Lounge, a 270,000-square foot Paddock Building with 34 garages, and an iconic 25-story Observation Tower at the heart of the facility. For more information and downloadable video and photos, visit: www.CircuitofTheAmericas.com, www.Austin360Amphitheater.com or COTA’s dedicated FTP site, media.circuitoftheamericas.com. Follow COTA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CircuitofTheAmericas and Twitter @circuitamericas and @COTAmedia.
