Hayden to ride at Indy 500!

gotta love this guy, he's got more charisma than the whole of honda.

hope he goes somewhere else next year and has a blinder.........

I agree hes an outstanding person. I see him replacing Melandri at Ducati in 2009 or going to Suzuki and teaming with Spies and Schwantz.

Honda has abused him long enough.

He could also replace West at Kawasaki, Vermulen at Suzuki or Colin at tech 3 after he moves back to AMA if Colin doesnt change his mind because of the new stupid changes DMG has made.

One thing is for certain he will get a factory ride in 2009.

I'm NO fan of America, but a BIG fan of the Americans in this sport.

Damn straight Mr Softy. I'd like to see him at Yamaha, maybe Ducati. I don't think Cow or Suzuki are going anywhere soon.

It's too bad he's just riding the oval. It'd be a much better show if they let him rip it up on the roadcourse, show all the spectators how cool it is to turn left *and* right

There are plenty road courses in the IRL calendar now Greg

I think it should be on the oval, take a look at this
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdjaURi2xJ4
Then imagine Hayden on the Honda RCV, gives you the shivers, oh and screw up the volume!

Was an interesting thread, until Ace 27 posted his completely predictable resposnse as usual... Ace 27, go on holiday again mate or wherever it was when you disappeared for a while...

What is the point of him going around slowly around the oval? If they really want to show us the performance of these bikes why don't he just do a few laps flat out? But obviously the Moto GP bikes are no match for the indy cars around the oval or a road circuit for that matter! Pointless.

On the day of the Indy500 - much of the road course will be covered with vehicles and additional seating - so he wont be able to race round it ;)

At the end of the day its publicity for the Motogp race later on in the year to get the yanks to spend their **** - what better event than the blue riband Indy500

Even if they let him open it up, I'll still have put a tenner on the safety car finishing 1st.

If they really want to attract a new audience then for visual impact why not have all the manufactures send a bike or two and let the riders do a few hot laps at race pace but not actually racing if you know what I mean.

HarryX - You seam a sensible guy so I gave you the benefit of the doubt when the racist accusations were flying your way. Now I'm not so sure - Go in peace bro!

A few years ago Eddie Lawson was doing demonstration laps at Michigan International Speedway in support of a Champ Car race. He did some wheelies at 150mph on the banking from turn 4 through turn 1. Then he ripped at something close to 180. It was spectacular.

If Nicky can open it up like he wants to, probably in the short chute before turn 4, I am sure he will be very loud and very fast by the time he hits the bricks. I can't wait to see the real thing come September.

How can anyone disagree with the comment from Kevin Patmore? Did their finger slip?

Indeed, it will be the best publicity possible, will show the completely ignorant masses attending the hours of boredom punctuated by crashes how fast the bikes are.