Earl Hayden's Book Unveiled Today At Indy

Evans Brasfield
by Evans Brasfield

Earl Hayden, along with his family, launched his first book The First Family of Racing in front of the press gathered for the USGP today. Cowritten by Danny May, the book gives readers a look at the life of Earl Hayden, father to 2006 MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden, and AMA Pro Road Racing National Champions Tommy and Roger Hayden.

Anyone who follows American roadracing or MotoGP is familiar with Earl’s presence at the events. Those who have been lucky enough to talk to him know what a genuinely nice man he is. What many people may not know is his personal story: former racer, devoted husband to Rose (who is also often seen trackside), and solid father figure to his racing sons and two daughters, Jenny and Kathleen.

Now, you don’t have to attend one of these events. You can get to get to know Earl through his own words. The words aren’t just from Earl, though. All of his family members have chapters in the book. Come to better understand the life he’s lived: “growing up in small-town Kentucky, falling in love with racing, raising kids, seeing the country and world through the racing circuit, and surviving cancer with faith and hope.”

MotoGP fans will also appreciate that the three-time 500cc Grand Prix World Champion Kenny Roberts penned the forward of this almost 200 page book.

“I’ve been blessed to have a great life so far, and I’m happy to have the opportunity to share it,” said Earl, who is donating his portion of the proceeds from this book to St. Joseph’s Peace Mission for Children, an emergency shelter for abused children in the Hayden family’s hometown of Owensboro, Ky. “I’m really passionate about this charity, and I hope to see it do well. If this book can entertain people and help make a difference, I’ll be tickled pink.”

The suggested retail price of The First Family of Racing is $20, and it will be on sale throughout this weekend’s MotoGP event at the Hayden Brothers General Store booth in the vendor area. Not going to Indianapolis? Check out the Hayden Brothers General Store or try Amazon.com.

Evans Brasfield
Evans Brasfield

Like most of the best happenings in his life, Evans stumbled into his motojournalism career. While on his way to a planned life in academia, he applied for a job at a motorcycle magazine, thinking he’d get the opportunity to write some freelance articles. Instead, he was offered a full-time job in which he discovered he could actually get paid to ride other people’s motorcycles – and he’s never looked back. Over the 25 years he’s been in the motorcycle industry, Evans has written two books, 101 Sportbike Performance Projects and How to Modify Your Metric Cruiser, and has ridden just about every production motorcycle manufactured. Evans has a deep love of motorcycles and believes they are a force for good in the world.

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