Former AMA Formula Xtreme Champion and MotoGP star John Hopkins will test a GSX-R1000 Superbike at California Speedway on February 2-3, 2010. Team Hammer, which races as Team M4 Suzuki, is in negotiations to sign Hopkins to race the 2010 AMA Pro Racing American Superbike season for Team M4 Suzuki.

Dave from Motourage with John Hopkins at Laguna Seca, 2008

“We’re excited about having the opportunity to test with a rider the caliber of ‘Hopper’ and about the possibility that he might race with us in 2010,” said Crew Chief Keith Perry. “It’s been several years since the team worked with John and we had a lot of success together the last time. John went on to have success in MotoGP and it’s been nice to see him do well on the World Championship scene. The team is hoping this test at Fontana will lay the groundwork for a successful partnership with Hopkins in anticipation of working together this upcoming season.”

Hopkins, 26, won two AMA National Championships with Team Hammer, in 2000 and 2001, before beginning his World Championship career. Hopkins raced with Red Bull Yamaha before joining the factory Suzuki team, then moved to Kawasaki factory squad five years later. Last season, Hopkins raced with Stiggy Honda in World Superbike.

Today’s Motourage video of the day features a first race, first lap first turn crash involving Makoto Tamada, Broc Parkes, Vittorio Iannuzzo and American rider John Hopkins. Hopkins, while on the asphalt, was run over by Ryuichi Kiyonari. Tamada was also hit by Kiyonari’s bike, and he and Hopkins were taken to the hospital where they were treated and released.