HANNSPREE Ten Kate Honda rider Jonathan Rea heads to Miller Motorsports Park in Salt Lake City, USA this weekend for round seven of the 2009 World Superbike Championship.
It will be Rea's first race in the US in this, his rookie Superbike season, but the 22-year-old from Ballyclare is in great form currently with two top five finishes in round five at Monza, Italy, followed by his first WSBK podium last time out at Ky
alami, South Africa, where he finished fourth and third in the two races.
Jonathan was upbeat about his first trip to the States, saying: "It's been nice having a few days at home since Kyalami, getting back into my routine which tends to get knocked out a bit when we're on the road.
"I spent last weekend watching my brother Richard race at Mondello Park near Dublin, where he nearly won his first Irish Superbike race.
"I'm really looking forward to this trip, though. There's something about going to a new circuit that gets me really motivated and there are no negative thoughts to take with me to Miller.
"In fact, after Carlos's double win there last year, it's only positive. I'll do a couple of laps with the team and try to pick up some tips from local riders.
"We've being doing pretty well in the last five races and I think the whole crew deserved that podium at Kyalami – but we're here for more than that. I feel that it's time to step up to the plate in the second half of the season and keep up the momentum we've found since Valencia."
