BBostrom_G

Profile:Ben Bostrom

 

 

 

When you grow up in a motorcycle racing family, your typical Sunday picnic probably includes some bar-banging action with your little brother in front of Mom and Dad—and another 89,998 fans at Laguna Seca Raceway. For Red Rider Ben Bostrom, 1998 AMA Superbike Champion and World Superbike veteran, nothing pleases him more than dicing with his brother Eric, also an AMA Superbike contender, in front of a home crowd.

 

 

 

Bostrom returned to AMA Superbike racing last year aboard Honda’s RC51 after campaigning on the World Superbike circuit for three years. “Coming back home to ride for Honda and living with my brother Eric made me stronger,” says Bostrom. “In Europe, you’re constantly going from one place to another. Here, you race, jump on a plane and you’re home.” And home is a good place to be for the middle of three brothers who spent their youth riding, racing and camping with their family. “The spirit of competition is bred into all of us. It kept us tight and it kept us together,” Bostrom recalls.

 

 

 

Bostrom and Honda have a unique relationship built on confidence and something more. “I started with a Honda Z50 when I was a kid, and I’ve ridden Hondas most of my life. Honda is like family. I have a lot of trust in Honda because they put a lot into racing. I know every time I go out, I have the best bike on the track.”

 

 

 

At the inaugural Superbike race of 2003—the Daytona 200—Bostrom’s homecoming was remarkable, considering his absence from the track since 1999. He grabbed the pole position in qualifying and nearly won the marathon race, only to be nipped by teammate Miguel Duhamel .069 seconds short of the finish line. He rode consistently well for the remainder of the season, claiming five more podium appearances on his way to finishing fourth overall in the series.

 

 

 

At the end of the year, Bostrom surprised his many fans with an appearance in the AMA’s newest racing forum, Supermoto—a blend of on- and off-road racing on tracks comprised of both pavement and dirt. On a cool November evening in Las Vegas, he outrode many of the biggest names in the sport from around the world to capture the first AMA Supermoto Championship. “This championship was very important to me and to Honda,” he exclaimed on the podium. “Honda worked hard and gave me a great bike. Supermoto is a coming thing. We're going out tonight to celebrate!”

 

 

 

Bostrom would like nothing better than to celebrate his second AMA Superbike title on a Honda in 2004. His confidence is fueled by his enthusiasm for Honda’s new Superbike weapon, the CBR1000RR. “It’s an incredible bike. It’s so smooth, with an unbelievable engine, power everywhere. They have to drag me off,” he jokes.

 

 

 

Even though it’s been five years since he won the AMA Superbike championship aboard a Honda RC45, it didn’t take the gifted 29-year-old long to dial in his new machine. During the annual pre-season Dunlop tire test at Daytona International Speedway in December, Bostrom and his #155 CBR1000RR turned the fastest lap of the week—a 1:47.65, just a tick behind the lap record held by Nicky Hayden.

 

 

 

In the off-season, Bostrom lives for a competitive challenge and maintains his exceptional conditioning by rock climbing, surfing and riding motocross. At times he abstains from riding. “No bikes,” he says emphatically. “If you never get off the bike, you never appreciate what you have.”

 

 

 

As he enters his 11th year of professional motorcycle racing, Bostrom is philosophical about his career. “Whatever you do, life is about finding yourself, setting goals.” You don’t have to be a mind-reader to know where the determined Bostrom has set his sights. Armed with his new CBR1000RR tuned by legendary Crew Chief Merlyn Plumlee, Bostrom’s target is a second AMA Superbike Championship. He’s home. He’s happy. He’s hungry.

 

Ben Bostrom

 

 

 

2003

 

4th AMA Superbike

 

 

 

2002

 

5th FIM World Superbike

 

 

 

2001

 

3rd FIM World Superbike

 

 

 

2000

 

7th FIM World Superbike

 

 

 

1999

 

2nd AMA Superbike

 

 

 

1998

 

1st AMA Superbike

 

 

 

1997

 

2nd AMA 750 Supersport

 

12th AMA 600 Supersport

 

16th AMA Superbike

 

 

 

1996

 

2nd AMA Super Twins

 

4th AMA Supersport

 

AMA Rookie of the Year

 

 

 

1995

 

7th AMA Super Twins (Rookie road racing year)

 

9th AMA National 883 Dirt Track

 

 

 

1994

 

14th AMA National 600 Dirt Track

 

 

 

1992

 

6th AMA National 600 Dirt Track

 

AMA Dirt Track Rookie of the Year

 

 

 

Rider Profile

 

Born: May 7, 1974, Redding, California

 

Residence: Las Vegas, Nevada

 

National #: 155 AMA Superbike

 

Began riding: 1978, age 4

 

First race: 1982, age 8

 

Training: Rock climbing, running, motocross, trail riding, surfing, weight lifting

 

Hobbies: Rock climbing, snowboarding, dirt bikes, rock climbing, guitar

 

Height/weight: 5' 10"/157 lbs.

 

Marital status: Single

 

Current race bike: Honda CBR1000RR

 

Crew Chief: Merlyn Plumlee

 

Mechanics: David Jones, Mark Braunwalder, Rick Boyles

 

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