Now This is Interesting

AMA's Formula Extreme Champion Jake Zemke will be sitting in (on?) for John Hopkins at this weekend's WSB at Monza. Due to a conflict with the AMA schedule he will not be available for the following race in South Africa, but is listed as the substitute Stiggy rider at Miller if Hopper doesn't recover in time. Jake, a long time Honda pilot, was very strong in previous AMA Superbike seasons and finished third in the 2007 championship, with only Mladin and Spies ahead of him. He finished second and third in FX and Supersport half a dozen times since 2000. This will be his first time racing outside the US. Monza and the WSB competition will be new to him, and he's no Spies, but he's likely to produce a respectable result for a newbie.