HAYDEN GILLIM BULLS HIS WAY TO ROAD
AMERICA RED BULL ROOKIES CUP POLE

Elkhart Lake, Wis (June 7, 2008) - Hayden Gillim of Owensboro, Ky., won pole position for the Road America round of the Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup, earning the first starting spot for tomorrow's race with a hot lap of 2:39.418. Joining him on the front row are Tomas Puerta, Jake Gagne and Leandro Mercado.

The afternoon qualifying session was held in hot, sunny weather at the 4.0-mile circuit. The Rookies learned the circuit with 1993 World Champion and rider coach Kevin Schwantz. Gillim was the fastest rider in the morning.

Hayden (13 years old) got off to a fast start in the afternoon session, too. He led the Rookies around Road America and set or bettered the quick lap his first four hot laps around the Elkhart Lake circuit. His best time was 2:39.418. "I was disappointed with how the last round ended for me," said Gillim. "I was fighting for the win at Infineon but the race did not go my way. Maybe that helped me some today because I was very determined to do my best. I really like the track and I was a little surprised to be that far out in front. Hopefully we will have clear weather tomorrow and I am looking forward to a good race."

Tomas Puerta of Medellin, Colombia was second quickest. "Tomy" found speed in the hard braking turns to set his mark.  "I was excited about my fast lap. I was very quick in turns five and 14 and I felt good," said the 15-year-old. "With about ten minutes to go, I was ready to push and make a fast lap. I felt I was quick through the first turn and was happy with how it went. I think it is important here to be on the front row and so I was pleased."

Jake Gagne from Ramona, Calif., was third fastest and somewhat of a surprise to be on the front row. Gagne has been making steady progress throughout the season after finishing his first-ever roadrace at Barber earlier this season. His performance on Saturday was impressive. "I wasn't really expecting third place, I was hoping for the top ten," said Gagne. "I thought the key to my fast lap was looking ahead. I rode around with some fast riders in the session and I picked up a lot of speed. It's my first race starting on the front row. I was 16th, then 10th, so I am moving up and making progress."

Leandro Mercado of Argentina has been a contender in each Red Bull Rookies Cup race so far, and qualified fourth on Saturday. "I had a good time out there. I didn't push too hard but I improved a lot and I tried to get everything ready for tomorrow," said "Tati," 16 years old. "I tried to run by myself to get some reference points on the track and get something solid. I'll go out tomorrow and focus on getting some points."

Austin DeHaven of Los Angeles Calif., was fifth, followed by Benny Solis of North Hollywood, Calif. In seventh place was local rider Jacob Cunningham of Kimberly, Wis. Canada's Emerson Connor rounded out row two.

Tomorrow's race is scheduled for 10:45 a.m. local time.

The Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup series, in its inaugural year, was created by and is managed by Red Bull as a platform for showcasing young roadracing talent between 13 and 16 years old, on identical KTM RC 125's.

Seven states and six nations are represented amongst the 23 riders. Former 500cc World Champion Kevin Schwantz is the series' Rider Coach. The Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup runs concurrently with the European-based Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, now in its second year.

Applications are now being accepted at www.redbullrookiescup.com for the 2009 Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup season for riders born between January 1, 1992 and December 31, 1995.
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Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup – Road America Qualifying - Page 2

Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup - Qualifying
1. 69 Hayden Gillim, Owensboro, Kentucky 2:39.418
2. 12 Tomas Puerta, Medellin, Colombia 2:41.259
3. 32 Jake Gagne, Ramona, California 2:41.740
4. 36 Leandro Mercado, Cordoba, Argentina 2:41.589
5. 56 Austin DeHaven, Los Angeles, California 2:42.150
6. 35 Benny Solis, North Hollywood, California 2:42.470
7. 94 Jacob Cunningham, Kimberly, Wisconsin 2:42.496
8. 50 Emerson Connor, Burlington, Ontario 2:42.520
9. 23 Corey Alexander, Ossining, New York 2:42.591
10. 25 Joey Pascarella, Vacaville, California 2:42.806
11. 74 Bryce Prince, Bakersfield, California 2:42.869
12. 95 Frankie Lee Gillim, Owensboro, Kentucky 2:42.876
13. 34 Corey Rech, Liverpool, New York 2:42.159
14. 26 Toriano Wilson, St. Davids, Bermuda 2:43.167
15. 3 Travis Wyman, Macedon, New York 2:43.309
16. 7 Austin Medrano, Mustang, Oklahoma 2:43.625
17. 22 Garet Tomlinson, Aledo, Texas 2:44.439
18. 13 Jesse Stevens, Lawrenceville, Georgia 2:44.803
19. 75 Huntley Nash, Marietta, Georgia 2:45.632
20. 66 Jake Morman, Loganville, Georgia 2:45.671
21. 31 Cameron Gish, Shingle Springs, California 2:46.617
22. 82 Otavio Lucchini, Jundiai, SP, Brazil 2:48.532

Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup - Points Standings (after Round 2)
1. 35 Benny Solis, North Hollywood, California 50 points
2. 56 Austin DeHaven, Los Angeles, California 26
T3. 12 Tomas Puerta, Medellin, Colombia 20
T3. 36 Leandro Mercado, Cordoba, Argentina 20
T5. 69 Hayden Gillim, Owensboro, Kentucky 16
T5. 95 Frankie Lee Gillim, Owensboro, Kentucky 16
T5. 7 Austin Medrano, Mustang, Oklahoma 16
8. 74 Bryce Prince, Bakersfield, California 15
T9. 26 Toriano Wilson, St. Davids, Bermuda 13
T9. 32 Jake Gagne, Ramona California 13
11. 34 Corey Rech, Liverpool, New York 11
12. 25 Joey Pascarella, Vacaville, California 10
13. 75 Huntley Nash, Marietta, Georgia 9
T14. 50 Emerson Connor, Burlington, Ontario 7
T14. 31 Cameron Gish, Shingle Springs, California 7
T16. 66 Jake Morman, Loganville, Georgia 6
T16. 94 Jacob Cunningham, Kimberly, Wisconsin 6
T16. 11 Luciano Ribodino, San Francisco, Argentina 6
19. 13 Jesse Stevens, Lawrenceville, Georgia 5
20. 22 Garet Tomlinson, Aledo, Texas 4
21. 23 Corey Alexander, Ossining, New York 2
T22. 82 Otavio Lucchini, Jundiai, SP, Brazil 1
T22. 3 Travis Wyman, Macedon, New York 1

For more information on the Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup, please visit www.redbullrookiescup.com and www.redbullusa.com/rookiescup.