|
 Haskovec, Vaclav
Before we knew him as “Vincent,” Vaclav Haskovec developed an obsession with motorcycles - nothing odd about this, considering the rich tradition of two-wheeled jousting and roosting his native Czech Republic is notorious for (think of Brno, and outlaw street racing).
The dream of racing in America haunted Vincent’s youth until one day he left home and started a new life that, while a bit sunnier, required relentless effort just to stay afloat. Working his heart out at whatever he did, Haskovec kept his dream alive racing hard, fast and as often as possible out at Willow Springs Raceway.
Good results on the windy, high-altitude desert race course won Haskovec solid recognition, and enough support to ratchet things up and race at a professional level. Riding GSX-R’s, Ninjas, YZF’s, Ducatis and whatever else he could throw a leg over, Vincent rode for a succession of privateer and factory support teams after turning pro in 1998*. In 2004, Vincent finally found the right chemistry with Team M4 EMGO SUZUKI, and by 2005, it looked like he was ready to mount a credible run for the Superstock crown.
Kicking off the season with a career-first AMA Superstock win at Daytona, Vincent went on to claim several podium finishes at the next few rounds. Points-wise, things were looking pretty good when, on a beautiful May day in Northern California the laws of physics and the winds of fate conspired to put Vincent’s ambitions on hold.
Fortunate to be alive, Vincent has struggled over the past year to find both the strength and will to pursue his recovery. Everything he learned about pushing hard and winning races would now have to be channeled into a quest for simple mobility.
A friend recommended he check out The Neuro Institute in Phoenix, Arizona as a place where he could obtain the level of attention, care and motivation to meet the biggest challenge of his life.
Vital Stats
|
Age
|
|
|
Born
|
|
|
Home
|
|
|
1997
|
|
Moved to Los Angeles area, La Crescenta, which is where the portal to sportbike heaven - the Angeles Crest Highway - is located.
|
|
|
1998
|
|
Relocated to San Jose, which is another great place to live if you love riding sportbikes – think Big Sur Highway, Laguna Seca, Sears Point – the list goes on. This is the year I started racing professionally.
|
|
|
1999
|
|
Moved back to LA area, residing in Temecula and Studio City - plenty of racing out at Willow Springs and around America.
|
|
|
2001
|
|
Found a nice place in Lake Elsinore, CA - aka John’s World – the nearby Ortega Highway provides a good way to test your fear factor. Over the next few years I raced with the Corona EBSCO team, Hooters and as a full-time privateer before hooking up with Team Hammer.
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Moved to Athens, Alabama - this is where Team M4 EMGO Suzuki builds speed, and you’ve got Barber and Road Atlanta within spitting distance
|
|
|
2006
|
|
Moved to Phoenix, Arizona where I pursue rehabilitation at The Neuro Institute and I don’t get Speedvision!
|
|
|
Sports
|
|
Cycling, Cross Country and Downhill Skiing and Ski Jumping, Tennis, Track, Hockey, Soccer, Yoga
|
|
|
Hobbies
|
|
Boxing - with friends, and especially my girlfriend; spending time by myself...
|
|
|
Favorite eats
|
|
Baguette, Chocolate, Pasta, Fruit
|
|
|
Favorite drinks
|
|
Currant juice , Nasty looking green meal replacement substance
|
|
|
Favorite movie stars
|
|
Jack Nicholson, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler
|
|
|
Favorite music
|
|
Rammstein, Techno, Johnny Cash
|
|
|
Favorite place
|
|
|
Principal passion
|
|
Roadracing Motorcycles (any color, any make, anywhere)
|
|
|
|
|
