I’ve met a lot of motorcycle racing champions over the years, including some of the biggest names in the sport. Guys like Kenny Roberts, Kenny Jr., Nicky Hayden, Jeremy McGrath, Ricky Carmichael, Miguel Duhamel, Jeff Ward, and Max Biaggi. But over the years, there is one guy who stands out as one of, if not the nicest guys in racing, and that is Josh Hayes. I’ve known Hayes since he was racing for John Ulrich’s Suzuki team early in his career in the late 1990s in 750 Supersport (remember that class?). And as far as I can tell, he is still the same down-to-earth, easy-talking guy that I remember from 15 years ago. I’ll never forget the time I did a photo shoot with Hayes and Roland Sands at the Streets of Willow Springs (when I was a freelance photographer working for Roadracing World). Hayes had recently injured his hand and was riding the 600 Supersport production bikes for the test in a cast. And, oh yeah, the cast was on his throttle/brake hand. He was blazing fast and you never would have known he had the cast if you didn’t see it to believe it. Champ in the making, I thought at the time. Recently, the four-time AMA Superbike champion joined a gaggle of journalists at Thunderhill Raceway Park in Northern California for the launch of Arai’s new Corsair-X helmet. For the occasion, Hayes had a new Yamaha R1 streetbike at his disposal, and took to the track with the rest of us clowns despite having just raced at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca’s double-header the previous day. Hayes loves to ride and treats these occasions more as an opportunity than an obligation. 
But Hayes, being Hayes, didn’t just go out and spin laps. No, instead, just because he’s an incredibly observant guy, he followed many of us around and watched what we were doing on the bike and made some mental notes. Unbeknownst to many of us, he was critiquing our riding styles and habits. At the end of a few sessions, Hayes would then come in and make some very clear, very specific suggestions on how a few of us could go faster, be safer, and use less energy on the bike. His observations were dead-on accurate and his method of explanation was crystal clear. Which led me to think a couple of things: First of all, what other multi-time champion at the top of his game would take the time to do such a thing (especially without being asked)? The answer, I’m guessing is exactly none. Furthermore, his instruction was informative and easy to understand, leading me to believe that when he decides some years down the road to retire, he can certainly have a future teaching his own riding school. In the meantime, however, in his quest for a fifth AMA/MotoAmerica Superbike title, Hayes has his hands full with his Monster Energy Graves Yamaha teammate Cameron Beaubier. Currently, Hayes sits second on the all-time Superbike wins list with 56, trailing only Mat Mladin (82). Hayes is also quickly creeping up on Miguel Duhamel for all-time wins in all classes with Hayes on 78, and Duhamel at 86. That’s a record that will likely fall before Professor Hayes hangs up the leathers. Here’s to the good guys! 
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