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Iain HaydenAge: 25
Weight: 170 lbs.
Height: 5'10"
Hometown: Espanola, Ont.
Other interests: Motocross, wakeboarding, golf
First sled: 4500 Citation
First time on a sled: 2 yrs. old
Favorite Track: Lake Geneva, Wis.
Sponsors: Yamaha, Yamalube, Fox, FXR, Camoplast
Ok, so Iain isn't really riding blue steel per se, as most of today's sleds are plastic and aluminum, but "Blue Aluminum" really doesn't sound as exciting.
Catchy phrasing aside, the big news in the Yamaha camp, the blue team, is the signing of Iain Hayden to its young snocross team. The news came early this fall that Iain would leave Ski-Doo and move to Yamaha to team with the returning Steve Taylor in the Pro Open ranks. We sat down with Iain to get his thoughts on the upcoming season, the Nytro race sled and life in general. Here's how it went.
AmSnow: I'll skip some of the normal questions because I think people are most interested in why and how you ended up riding for Yamaha?
Iain: I spent a lot of time watching the Yamaha team and knew some people there. Then I started talking to Greg Marier, Yamaha's snowmobile racing manager, at Lake Geneva this spring. I spent some time riding the new Nytro and then went testing out in Montana this spring with them. It was pretty much done after that.
AmSnow: Why did you leave Ski-Doo?
Iain: Ski-Doo struggled a little bit last year. The prototypes that we rode in the spring the season before were really good and when the production race sleds came out they didn't perform as well. Also, Blair Morgan went to race for Boss so his race team was no more. Finally, it was a great opportunity to work with Yamaha. I am focused and there's something cool about knowing you and your team want to work harder than any other team in snocross.
AmSnow: What did you think about the Nytro?
Iain: I was expecting it to be heavier, but that perception changed after I rode the '08 sled. If you want to be smooth you can make the sled work for you. I tend to think I have a smoother style, so this sled works to my strengths. The sled does take work, so does every sled, but its all in how you ride. The Nytro has great long, hard, useable 4-stroke power and it's deceiving how fast the sled is and how fast you are going through the track sometimes.
AmSnow: Do you find it appealing or difficult to just have one other teammate in Steve Taylor?
Iain: Actually, it's really nice that we are the same age and both want to do well and take care of each other. We are also both very focused and we push each other in our workouts and practices.
AmSnow: What are your thoughts on the new ISOC circuit?
Iain: Change is good. The WPSA was problematic and key people didn't want to change. New faces are good and changing formats to more open and better tracks with better grooming is important. Also, the compressed format that ISOC is proposing will be positive, and it should make a real "show" out of the races. 3-4 hours of top-level racing is what consumers want and a fun, friendly atmosphere.
AmSnow: What training has helped you in your snocross endeavors?
Iain: Like a lot of other guys, I've raced motocross. I also teach motocross all summer at a motopark in Owen Sound, Ont. Our strength and conditioning training with trainer Drew Robertson has helped a lot too.
AmSnow: Are your goals different this year riding for Yamaha?
Iain: Not really. I want to have a healthy season, be strong and do what is good for the team and Yamaha. I always want to win, and stand on the podium, but there's a lot more that makes a successful season.
AmSnow: Who or what has been your greatest influence in snowmobiling?
Iain: My dad. No matter what, I can always call him and he has always been able to fix whatever problems I've had.
NOTE: Due to continuing development of the '09 Yamaha Nytro race sled, photos and stats were unavailable at press time. Click here to see a spy photo.