AMA Pro Flat Track: IMDA & RIDE Academy Team to Bring 'Legends Race' to Springfield Mile I Round 4 on May 26 to Help Promote Newly-Announced Pro-Level Basic Twins Class

Round 6 of the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season at the Springfield Mile I saw a handful of the top riders in the series, past, present and future ready to roll out for one of the practice sessions on May 29 for the first of two mile events to be held on the schedule for the new season.

Bryan Smith on the #42 Fasthog.com-sponsored XR750, Matt Weidman on the #20 White's H-D-backed XR, Chris Carr on the #4 American Motorcyclist Association-backed XR and Jared Mees on the #9 Rogers Lake Racing-sponsored XR get ready to put their talents, wrists and machinery to work in the early part of the day's program at the Illinois State Fairgrounds-hosted event.

Carr, who was in his final season of 'full-time' racing, is one of several former greats in The Rolling Thunder Show that will be returning to Springfield on May 26 to entertain the fans and help promote newly-announced Basic Twins Class for  the up-and-coming Pro-level riders.  2000 AMA Grand National Champion Joe Kopp and 3-Time AMA Grand National Champion Jay Springsteen will join the 7-Time Champ along with a handful of other veterans and greats of the sport in putting on a special exhibition race to be held as part of the day's program during the Memorial Day Weekend thriller.

The IMDA and RIDE Academy (owned and operated by former and current AMA Grand National greats Mike Hacker, Johnny Lewis and Kenny Coolbeth, Jr.) are banding together to put on this very special event in the hopes of showcasing the past greats of the sport, while the Expert-ranked contenders and the Pro-level riders do their job to showcase the present and future stars of the greatest racing show on two wheels in the world while competing in the day's regular portion of the program.

This is one event of any on the schedule, but especially one that is held at Springfield, that you won't want to miss.  Everyone knows you must have a ticket to see this great race, but with the day's action planned at Springfield on May 26, the seat you buy it for probably won't get much use throughout the day's events.

Thanks to AMA Pro Flat Track for the press release below which will help fill you in on more of the details, and another round of thanks goes out to the IMDA, who twice a season tirelessly put on a super event at Springfield, and also to the great group of guys at RIDE Academy for going to such great lengths in order to further promote and better the great sport that is the AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship.  You guys rock!

IMDA and Ride Academy to Host Race of Legends when AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Returns to Springfield Mile on Memorial Day Weekend

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 12, 2013) - AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles will be bringing the series to Springfield, Ill. on May 26, 2013 for its first go-around of the Springfield Mile this year.  Along with the usual intense racing action, Ride Academy is set to host a "Race of Legends" during the event.

 

"The Springfield Mile is really shaping up to be another spectacular event and this is just one of the many projects that the IMDA has in the works," said Dan Johnsen, Director of AMA Pro Flat Track.  "The history of this sport is what makes it so great, and we know that our fans will appreciate this opportunity to see their favorite legends back on the track."

 

The race will include a select group of past Grand National Championship event winners who will be on hand to show their support for the Basic Twins class scheduled to return to the series.  Jay Springsteen, Joe Kopp, Rich King, Ronnie Jones, Steve Beattie, Steve Morehead, Mike Hacker and Chris Carr will all be in attendance and participating in the race.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The main event in the AMA Pro Singles Championship roars off the line during round 16 of the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season at the Springfield Mile II on September 4.  The great group of people that run the IMDA, the promoters of the Springfield Mile events, will be teaming up with RIDE Academy for the upcoming round 4 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season on May 26 to bring a host of former racing legends together in a special exhibition 'legends race' to help promote AMA Pro Flat Track's new plans for a Basic Twins Class in order to get the Pro-level riders more experience on a Twins Series-based bike.  AMA Pro Flat Track photo by Dave Hoenig.

 

 

Mounted on Honda dirt bikes courtesy of Ride Academy, the former stars of the sport will race on a short track specifically designed for this event, giving the fans a "bird's eye view" of all the action.  The race will be located on the front-stretch of the Springfield Mile and will measure at about a quarter-mile in length.  Each participant will be provided number plates and jerseys so that the fans will be able to identify very easily who's who on the track.  The race format will include two six--lap heat races and one 12-lap Main Event.

 

Ride Academy is a school that former flat track rider Mike Hacker created when he retired from racing.  The veteran uses his knowledge obtained from racing to help out current riders of today's era. In addition to the "Race of Legends" and AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Springfield Mile event, Ride Academy will also be holding motorcycle instructional classes before all the action even kicks off on Wednesday and Thursday, May 22-23, 2013.

 

AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles will head to the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Ill. for the Springfield Mile on May 26, 2013.  For tickets to the event and additional information on the Race of Legends, please visit the IMDA's website at http://www.illinoismda.com/.

 

About AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles:

 

AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles is a national motorcycle racing series in North America and is considered one of the oldest forms of motorcycle racing. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, the Series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track racing in the world.  The 2013 schedule consists of rounds on the country's finest flat track courses.  For more information on AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles, please visit http://www.amaproracing.com/ft/. 

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines.  Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.     For additional information contact:   AMA Pro Racing Communications, (386) 492-1014, communications@amaproracing.com

AMA Pro Flat Track: Stockton Half-Mile Now Scheduled for Round 3 on May 11

Two of the top stars in the AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship Series go at it during one of the practice sessions at round 5 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season at the Allen County Fairgrounds on June 30. 

Eventual 2012 AMA Grand National Champion Jared Mees on the #9 Rogers Racing/Blue Springs H-D/Saddlemen/National Cycle-sponsored Harley-Davison XR750 runs ahead of Johnny Lewis on the #10 Scott Powersports/Saddlemen/Wallace Trucking/AXO-backed Kawasaki 650R-based parallel twin as they come out of turn two onto the back straight at the annual event known as the Lima Half-Mile. 

Mees of course went on to grab the championship at the end of the season, to add to his Singles Series Championship which he captured after the Springfield Short Track in early September.  Lewis had left the series after round 6 of the season at the Hagerstown Half-Mile (while sitting in the 3rd-place spot in the championship mind you), due to creative differences as a result of Mees and Lewis coming together at round 2 earlier in the season at the Daytona Short Track II.  Lewis still ended the season as the 13th-ranked rider in the overall championship standings to go along with his season-opening cherry-breaking series victory at round 1 of the season at Daytona I.

Mees again will be on the Rogers Racing team, after switching things up with his crew chief during the off-season.  Gone is long-time wrench Brent Armbruster (now residing with the Lloyd Brothers Motorsports/Henry Wiles effort for 2013) and in is Kenny Tolbert, the multi-time championship-winning tuner most notably recognized for his many years spent with 7-time AMA Grand National Champion Chris Carr.

Lewis returned to the series at Daytona, and for the upcoming Twins Series events of the 2013 season will now be a part of the new Latus Motors Racing Triumph squad that was announced earlier this month.   Needless to say, the greatest racing series on two wheels in the world is gearing up for another incredible year of racing. 

AMA Pro Flat Track announced officially yesterday that what was one of the 'TBA' events on the original schedule for early May has now been dropped, and the Stockton Half-Mile on May 11 will now be the next event on the calendar.  That leaves 43 days for fans to get their schedules set to see the next round of the season and to get the adrenaline flowing after the season-openers at Daytona on March 14-15.

Check out the official press release below from AMA Pro Flat Track, get your calendars set and your tickets bought so you can catch The Rolling Thunder Show as it flies into the Stockton Half-Mile to get the rest of the season kick-started for another great year of racing!

Stockton Half-Mile to Host Third Round of AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Action on May 11, 2013

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 28, 2013) - Next stop, Stockton, California. The stars of AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles intend to pack up their machines and head out west for the first time this season and go handlebar-to-handlebar at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds in Stockton, Calif.  Despite the best efforts of all involved, the TBA event previously scheduled for May 4, 2013 will not be conducted.  Nevertheless, fans can write this upcoming Stockton event in permanent ink on their calendars, as the race is expected to bring nonstop action-packed racing from the very first heat all the way to the drop of the checkered flag in the final main event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brad Baker #12, Jared Mees #9, Jethro Halbert #69 and Luke Gough #62 battle at the front of the pack during heat race three at round 5 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season, at the Lima Half-Mile on June 30.  The 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season will head to the Stockton Half-Mile on May 11 in what will now be round three for The Rolling Thunder Show.  AMA Pro Flat Track photo by Dave Hoenig.

 

 

"I'm thrilled to bring our series out to California for the first time this season," said Michael Gentry, COO of AMA Pro Racing.  "It seems like every time our riders compete in the Golden State it's always a world-class experience.  The fans embrace the sport and the atmosphere is just unbelievable.  The field is very competitive this year as we all witnessed in Daytona and we can't wait to get everything started back up again in May."

 

The AMA Pro Grand National Championship Expert riders will be mounted on their thundering twin-engines for the first time this season on San Joaquin County Fairgrounds' half-mile course.  Mikey Rush and Brandon Robinson were able to come out on top and stake their claim on Daytona's short track in the 2013 season's opening rounds.  The rest of the field will be ready to turn up the pressure to on the half-mile course when the Series heads West.

 

As for the AMA Pro J&P Cycles Pro Singles, they will be piloting their single-engine machines for the third time this season.  Michigan's Kyle Johnson and New Yorker Jake Constantine both took checkered flags at Daytona and will look to have similar success when the lights go on in Stockton.

 

Both divisions in AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles look to be of extreme potency in 2013.  The AMA Pro Grand National Championship Experts bring back a deep field of proven veterans as well as talented young and win-hungry stars that are looking to make a name for themselves among the elite on the biggest stage in the sport.  The AMA Pro J&P Cycles Pro Singles also make up a field of young and fierce competitors looking to make an immediate impact in hopes of obtaining a championship.

 

For more information, please visit http://www.stockton99.com/. 

 

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines.  Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.   For additional information contact:   AMA Pro Racing Communications, (386) 492-1014, communications@amaproracing.com

AMA Pro Flat Track: Looking Ahead to the 2013 AMA Grand National Championship Season While Reviewing the 2012 Season Highlight Video by The Fast & Dirty.com

With less than three weeks remaining before round 1 & 2 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season kicks off at Daytona Beach on March 14 and March 15 (and the 'unofficial' season kick off at Savannah, GA's Oglethorpe Speedway the weekend before), it's time to get your bags packed and your bets placed as we get ready for another great year of racing in The Rolling Thunder Show.

With several technical rule changes mandated during the off-season in order to even up the playing field (not to mention to quiet all of the naysayers throughout the land, especially in the Twins Series), the upcoming season should add even more excitement to the racing and even level out the overall competition in the greatest racing series on wheels in the world.

With additions to the confirmed schedule for the new season expected to be announced in the near future (I am hearing strong rumblings about two new races at Reno, NV and Black Hills, SD being added to the currently-listed 14 events) the 2013 racing schedule is really looking up.  And even with the loss of the TT and short track events on the National calendar at Springfield, Steve Nace Racing has stepped-up along with the the IMDA to bring you All-Star Series events for the Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend rounds at the mecca of flat track motorcycle racing, the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

The 2013 season will again see the return of a big handful of long-time events on this year's calendar.  The Peoria TT, the Lucas Oil Indy Mile, the Hagerstown Speedway Hub City Classic Half-Mile, the Castle Rock TT, the Ohio National Championship round at the Lima Half-Mile, the Sacramento Mile, and the season-finale at the Pomona Flat Track Finales at the LA Fairplex are but a few of the fan-favorites and racer-favs that will be coming down the pike this season, besides the aforementioned Daytona season-openers and everyone's favorite mile events in Springfield.

And for those of us who can't make all (or even any, in some cases) of the races this year, you will have a strong bevy of options in being able to keep up with them in the comfort of your home.  As has been the case for the last couple of seasons, Miriam Deitcher and her Flat Track Live on Facebook will be on-hand to keep you in-the-know with the happenings at the track with her brand of great racing coverage, Chew and Mia will be keeping you up-to-date on their FlatTrack.com on Facebook along with their updates also available on the FlatTrack.com forum.  AMA Pro Flat Track will again be offering the bitchin' Live Timing and Scoring (again to be sponsored by Cortech), and Cycle News.com will be there to cover the races as they have for decades now.  And as we have tried to do here at Stu's Shots over the course of the last few seasons, we will again be doing our best to bring you the news, photos and reviews of today's action with yesterday and today's photos to keep you informed from a standpoint of a long-time fan.  And these are only a few of the options out there at this time to follow along from the comfort of that couch!

As we look ahead to the new season, we can be sure of one thing....the racing will be stellar and the competiton will be first class.  And thanks again goes out to Will Fulford and his lovely and wonderful bride, Yve Assad-Fulford for bringing us more of their great coverage of the races via their offerings of photos and videos. 

One of those offerings (as available below) helps to highlight last year's great racing from coast-to-coast, that brought us another season of racing in The Rolling Thunder show as highlighted in the photo above from round 16 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season at the Springfield Mile II. 

With returning series favs and stalwarts, including Jake Johnson on the #1 Zanotti Racing/Schaeffer's H-D-sponsored XR750 (who for only the second year-ever will be again wearing the #5 National number plate), Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. on the #2 Screamin' Eagle/Harley-Davidson Motor Company-backed factory XR (who again will be the lone full-time factory-backed entry in the GNC), Jared Mees on the #9 Rogers Racing/Saddlemen-backed XR (who will be now sporting a new tuner in Kenny Tolbert to go along with his newly-earned #1 National number plate), the year ahead is looking as good as ever.  Brandon Robinson on the #44 Werner-Springsteen Racing/Monster Energy-sponsored Kawasaki (who has made his move to the T.J. Burnett Farms/USC Racing Kawasaki fold for the '13 season), Bryan Smith on the #42 Crosley Radio/Howerton Motorsports-backed Kawi (who for the new season will be backed for the full season by his great sponsor, Crosley Radio) and JD Beach on the #95 T.J. Barnett Farms/USC Racing/-sponsored Kawi (when he is not working his full-time gig in the Geico Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing Series in the Daytona SportBike Series class), are just to name a very few of the riders and teams you can look forward to watching and thrilling over in the months to come.

So buckle up, strap in and hang on as the new season gets ready to open the door to another big year of The Rolling Thunder Show.

A big thanks to Will & Eve from The Fast and Dirty.com for this great season wrap-up video from the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season.  Great work as always guys and your work is truly appreciated (and adored!)

AMA Flat Track: NBC Sports to Air Pomona Half-Mile Season-Finale Round 16 on December 29

Bryan Smith acknowledges the crowd after winning round 13 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season at the Springfield Mile II on September 16. 

Flyin' Bryan had just taken the #42 Crosley Radio/Howerton Motorsports powered by Eaken Racing/Guts Wear/MPH-sponsored Kawasaki 650R to it's second victory of the season at the weather-delayed Illinois State Fairgrounds mile oval over runner-up Sammy Halbert and 3rd-place finisher Jared Mees.

While AMA Pro Flat Track official announcer Barry Boone talks to the crowd, Halbert and Mees ponder their race finishes with just three rounds remaining in the 2012 season.  Mees would go on to win the 2012 AMA Grand National Championship over 2nd-place man Halbert and 3rd-place finisher and defending 2-Time AMA Grand National Champion Jake Johnson at the season-finale in Pomono, just shy of a month later after collecting the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Singles Series Championship the night before the Springfield Mile II round.

After winning the Sacto Mile event earlier in the season, Smith would go on to take the ceremonial 2012 Twins Series Championship at the season-ending round at Pomona.

AMA Pro Flat Track announced today that NBC Sports will be airing the season-finale at Pomona this Saturday, December 29.  You can check out the full press release below for air times and a handy guide to get your DVRs set-up to find where NBC Sports airs in your area.

Tune-In Alert: Pomona Half-Mile Airs Saturday (December 29th) on NBC Sports

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (December 26, 2012) - AMA Pro Flat Track's racing action from the Law Tigers Flat Track Finals at Pomona Fairplex will be aired this Saturday (December 29) at 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT. with a re-airing on Monday (December 31) at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT.                             Bryan Smith #42 leads Jared Mees #9, Sammy Halbert #7 and Jake Johnson #1 during action at round 16 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season at the Pomona Half-Mile on October 13.  NBC Sports will air the season-finale round this Saturday, December 29 at 1:00 PM EST.  AMA Pro Flat Track photo by Dave Hoenig.     How to catch the action: See NBC Sports' TV listings and channel lineup by going to http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/   NBC Sports Channels on Select Providers:   * Dish Network - 159 * DirecTV - 220 * AT&T U-Verse - 640   Please check your local listings for a channel line-up to find NBC Sports. Search Lucas Oil Motorsports Hour or Motorsports Hour if you don't see the program listed.   Stay connected with AMA Pro Flat Track at www.twitter.com/AMAProFlatTrack and www.facebook.com/AMAProFlatTrackSeries.

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com. For additional information contact:   AMA Pro Racing Communications, (386) 492-1014, communications@amaproracing.com

AMA Flat Track: Cycle News.com's Larry Lawrence Talks With 2012 AMA Grand National Champion Jared Mees

2012 AMA Grand National Champion Jared Mees can be seen talking in the pits while being filmed by the Lucas Oil Motorsports MavTV crew during round 4 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season at the Springfield Mile I event on May 27.  Crew chief Brent Armbruster works on the fleet of #9 Rogers Racing/Blue Springs H-D/Saddlemen/Lucas Oil-sponsored XR750s in preparation for the day's events at the Illinois State Fairgrounds running of the Memorial Day Weekend classic during the fan walk, which is hosted by AMA Pro Flat Track at each and every event on the series' calendar.

Mees wrapped up his title a little over two months ago at the season-ending round at the Pomona Half-Mile after battling it out again with 2-Time AMA Grand National Champion Jake Johnson and Sammy Halbert, the three riders who have dominated the competition in The Rolling Thunder Show for the last four seasons, and for what should most likely be several seasons to come.

The Rogers Racing team and Mees announced shortly after the season-ending round that crew chief Armbruster would be leaving the team (to crew for the Lloyd Brothers Motorsports team with rider Henry Wiles) and that 7-Time AMA Grand National Championship-winning tuner and master XR wrench spinner Kenny Tolbert would be coming on-board to helm the mechanical efforts for the team's mounts in the upcoming 2013 season.

Round 14 of the 2010 AMA Pro Flat Track K&N Filters Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season found the Rogers Lake Racing crew going about applying the finishing touches on rider Jared Mees' #1 Rogers Lake Racing/Blue Springs H-D/Rockysonline.com/Lucas Oil-sponsored XR750 at the Springfield Mile II on September 5.  Mees can be seen talking with crew chief Brent Armbruster and team owner Craig Rogers during a break in the on-track action at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

The 2009 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Twins Series Championship will again get to have the #1 plate adorn his mount for the upcoming 2013 season after winning the overall championship this season over runner-up Sammy Halbert and 3rd-place finisher and defending 2-Time AMA Grand National Champion Jake Johnson.

From 2006-2009 the series championships were awarded to each of the Singles and Twins Series contenders and Mees won the final 'separate' Twins Championship in the '09 season based on his overall finish in the split championship battle, without winning a single event in the series.  In each of the following seasons, the #1 plate was worn by each series' champion at each of the Singles and Twins Series events on the schedule.  From the 2010 season on, AMA Pro Flat Track again combined the overall championships while still recognizing each series' accomplishment with a ceremonial #1 plate and trophy to go along with it, but only one person thusly will wear that special #1 plate for the full season.

Mees consistency won him the overall championship (and the Singles title as well) during the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season, while still winning the Hagerstown Half-Mile round in early July, his only win of the 2012 season after winning a series' leading five events and finishing runner-up to Johnson in the 2011 season.

Check out what the champ has been up to since wrapping up the crown at the Pomona Half-Mile on October 13 as Larry Lawrence interviews Jammin' Jared in the season wrap-up issue of Cycle News below.  Mees talks about, among other things, departing crew chief Brent Armbruster and new crew chief Kenny Tolbert, his close friendship and association with team owner Craig Rogers, and whether or not he will choose to campaign a Kawasaki (or other brand) in the upcoming 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season's mile events.


Thanks again to my close friend and traveling companion Larry Lawrence for another out-of-the-park interview with 2012 AMA Grand National Champion Jared Mees, featured in the year-end issue #50 of Cycle News:

http://cyclenews.coverleaf.com/cyclenews/20121218#pg71

AMA Pro Flat Track Announces Confirmed Dates for 2013 Season

Riders and team members make final preparations as the machines are brought to life in order to do battle at round 4 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season at the Springfield Mile I on May 27.

Jared Mees on the #9 Rogers Racing/Blue Springs H-D-sponsored XR750, Luke Gough on the #62 Skip Eaken/Roeder Racing-backed Kawasaki 650R, Bryan Smith on the #42 Crosley Radio/Howerton Motorsports-backed rocket Kawi, Willie McCoy on his #59 H-D of Wausau/Independence H-D-sponsored XR, Jake Johnson on the #1 Zanotti Racing/Schaeffer's H-D-backed XR and Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. on the #2 Screamin' Eagle/H-D Motor Co-sponsored factory XR750 fill out the front row in what would be another exciting 25-lap National main at the Illinois State Fairgrounds mile oval.

In welcome news out of Daytona Beach today, AMA Pro Flat Track has announced the confirmed dates for the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season in what is surely the earliest announcement of a solid calendar by AMA Pro Flat Track in the last three seasons. 

Fourteen dates that have been confirmed include among others, the season-opening rounds at Daytona in March, a return to the Peoria TT in August followed by the Lucas Oil Indy Mile, the annual treks to the Springfield Mile over Memorial Day and Labor Day, and the season-ending round in Pomona in mid-October.

AMA Pro Flat Track is still working to secure two rounds in Arizona at the beginning and end of the season and is also working on bringing another event to Ohio, strongly rumored to be a return to the Greenville Half-Mile which was on the schedule several years ago. 

A rumored return to I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, MI. was no where to be mentioned on the schedule, although after the fall-out from the last-minute cancelation of this year's round most likely having some bearing as to whether AMA Pro Flat Track was willing to chance another go around with the track and/or promoters, although that is strictly speculation after the rumor was floated that there may have been a return to I-96.  Note--for the second year in a row, this leaves the schedule without any rounds in Michigan, home to many of the current and a large handful of former champions and competitors.

The west coast is getting an extra burst for the 2013 calendar, with the return of the classic Castle Rock TT, Santa Rosa and Sacto Miles, as well as two new half-mile venures in Elma, Washington and Stockton, California.

Thanks to AMA Pro Flat Track for the full press release below which details all of the announced dates for 2013 thus far.

AMA Pro Racing Announces Confirmed Dates on 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track Schedule

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (December 10, 2012) - AMA Pro Racing is pleased to announce 14 confirmed events on the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track schedule. In addition to the events listed below, AMA Pro Racing plans to make announcements on three additional events in the near future.

All of the AMA Pro Flat Track events in 2013 will once again feature non-stop entertainment and thrilling motorcycle racing action from the AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com and AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles classes. Of the confirmed events announced today, Harley-Davidson Insurance GNC Expert Singles will compete at four of the rounds, broken down into two Short Tracks and two Tourist Trophies, while the mighty Expert Twins will contest the remaining 10 rounds, consisting of five Half-Mile and five Mile tracks. Fans can also expect to watch as the sport's finest up-and-coming talent battle for fame and glory in Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles races.

 

On March 14-15, 2013, DAYTONA® Flat Track will once again play host to the AMA Pro Flat Track opener as the series kicks off the 2013 season with a doubleheader on the quarter-mile lime rock track located outside Daytona International Speedway's west banking. At the 2012 season opener, fans witnessed two riders taking their breakout Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship wins, with Johnny Lewis holding off the charging field for his first in the Thursday night final and Matt Weidman taking the checkered flag over eventual 2012 series champ Jared Mees in Friday's main event.

Next up, the series will make a stop in Arizona on May 4, 2013 at a TBA event before heading to Stockton, Calif.'s Half-Mile track at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds on May 11, 2013. The event will mark the first time AMA Pro Flat Track races on the all-new Half-Mile track located within the historic Stockton Mile and it's sure to bring northern California some of the most exciting motorcycle racing action in the world.

It wouldn't be a complete season if AMA Pro Flat Track didn't visit Springfield, Ill. The legendary Springfield Mile has served as one of the most historic venues and is considered to be one of the most coveted wins on the circuit. When the fire-breathing twins roll off the trucks at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on May 26, 2013, this go-around is sure to add even more excitement to the legacy of the storied event.

 

Another TBA event is scheduled in Ohio on June 8, 2013 before the series heads to another historically significant and action-packed circuit on June 29, 2013. Dating back to 1984, AMA Pro Flat Track has made the trek to Lima, Ohio to take on the "cushion" Half-Mile at the Allen County Fairgrounds, and this year will be no exception.

 

 

Bryan Smith #42 leads Sammy Halbert #7, Jake Johnson #1, Willie McCoy #59 and the rest of the field coming out of turn 4 at the running of the Springfield Mile II at round 13 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Champioship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season.  AMA Pro Racing announced the confirmed dates for the 2013 season today.  AMA Pro Flat Track photo by Dave Hoenig.

 

Just after the Fourth of July holiday, the Series will make a swing near the Nation's capital on July 6, 2013 as Hagerstown, Md.'s Hagerstown Speedway will host the only round on the east coast that features what is typically a very smooth, and very fast, half-mile track. Jared Mees grabbed his lone win in 2012 over local-favorite Jake Johnson at last year's event, and the defending champ will likely have his hands full when the star-studded line-up gets to the grid again next season.

The second west-coast tour begins on July 20, 2013 with a Half-Mile event at Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Wash, followed by the always-incredible Sacramento Mile at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds in Sacramento, Calif. on July 27, 2013. That leg will conclude with a drive up the coast, where the AMA Pro Flat Track stars will hop back on their 450cc singles at the Castle Rock Race Park TT in Castle Rock, Wash. on August 3, 2013.

 

Next up is another TT, and the granddaddy of them all, scheduled for one week later at Peoria Race Park in Peoria, Ill. on August 11, 2013. The Peoria TT has been a staple on the Grand National circuit since 1947 and still packs the hillsides with spectators eager to watch the high-flying singles take to the track. Watch out for Henry Wiles, who collected his eighth consecutive victory at the legendary venue last year and seems to be unbeatable here.

The Indy Mile at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Ind., returns to the 2013 schedule on August 17, 2013 and the event will once again coincide with both the Indiana State Fair and MotoGP's state-side return for the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Labor Day Weekend means a return to the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Ill. for the second Springfield Mile on the calendar; the September 1st event is the final 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track event scheduled east of the Mississippi river.

AMA Pro Flat Track will once again head west to the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa to battle it out against the beautiful backdrop of the Santa Rosa Mile. In last year's contest, Sammy Halbert grabbed his fourth win of the season in front of a packed house, and the 2012 runner-up will definitely be looking to match his winning result on September 29, 2013.

The last to-be-announced event on the schedule is slotted for October 5, 2012 in Arizona before the 2013 AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com schedule comes to a close - and fan-favorite Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. looks to repeat his commanding victory - on the half-mile track at the LA County Fairplex in Pomona, Calif on October 12, 2013.

2013 AMA Pro Flat Track Schedule:

March 14th	DAYTONA Flat Track I	DAYTONA Flat Track Daytona Beach, Fla.	Short Track
March 15th	DAYTONA Flat Track II	DAYTONA Flat Track Daytona Beach, Fla.	Short Track
May 4th	TBA	Arizona
May 11th	Stockton Half-Mile	San Joaquin County Fairgrounds, Stockton, Calif.	Half-Mile
May 26th	Springfield Mile	Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Ill.	Mile
June 8th	TBA	Ohio
June 29th	Lima Half-Mile	Allen County Fairgrounds, Lima, Ohio	Half-Mile
July 6th	Hagerstown, Half-Mile	Hagerstown Speedway, Md.	Half-Mile
July 20th	Grays Harbor Raceway	Grays Harbor, Elma, Wash.	Half-Mile
July 27th	Sacramento Mile	Cal Expo, Sacramento, Calif.	Mile
August 3rd	Castle Rock TT	Castle Rock Race Park, Castle Rock Wash.	TT
August 11th	Peoria TT	PMC Race Park, Peoria, Ill.	TT
August 17th	Indy Mile	Indiana State Fairground, Indianapolis, Ind.	Mile
September 1st	Springfield Mile II	Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Ill.	Mile
September 29th	Santa Rosa Mile	Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa, Calif.	Mile
October 5th	TBA	Arizona
October 12th	Flat Track Season Finale	LA County Fairplex, Pomona, Calif.	Half-Mile

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.  For additional information contact: AMA Pro Racing Communications, (386) 492-1014, communications@amaproracing.com

ICE Speedway Announces 37th Annual Ice Racing Series Schedule

Jared Mees #1 leads the field into turn one for the final round of the night in the ICE Speedway Series at the US Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington, IL. on January 21, 2012.  ICE Speedway announced their 37th Annual World Championship Ice Racing schedule today.  Check it out below to get your tickets to the great action ahead in the ICE Speedway Series coming your way for the winter season.

2012 World Championship ICE Racing Series
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12/10/12   37th ANNUAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CHASE FIRES UP IN DECEMBER!!!   ICE/International Championship Events recently announced the schedule for the 37th ANNUAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ICE RACING SERIES. This exciting motorsports series has become a tradition in many of America's top sports arenas each winter. This unique and extreme sport features the top ice racers on the planet competing on lightning quick state-of-the-art Manufacturers World Cup Motorcycles and anything goes no holds barred ICE Unlimited Outlaw Quads (highly modified 4-wheel racing ATV's).     The season opener will take place December 14th at the Showare Center in Kent, WA followed the next night by Round 2 at the Comcast Center in Everett, WA where ICE began a motorsports competition on ice tradition the first year this arena opened. After the Holiday break Rounds 3 & 4 will be held at the Maverik Center in Salt Lake City, UT. From there the Series moves on to Illinois for the annual Battle For Bloomington Championship. Round 6 moves to the East Coast at the popular Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, VA. At the time of this release the Championship Grand Finale is scheduled for and a new market for ICE Racing Evansville, IN. This exciting event will take place at the all beautiful Ford Center. Check on icespeedway.com as more racing dates could be added to this year's schedule.     A great field of World Cup Motorcycle riders is expected to compete for the WC Title this winter headed up by Minnesota's Jake "The Snake" Mataya, PA's "Freight Train" Tom McGrane & "Sideways" Sammy Wiggins & MI's "Captain" Kirk Cheney to name a few. Front and center in the dangerously unpredictable ICE Unlimited Outlaw Quads this winter will be none other than the "Wild Child" herself Mandy Brodil Cervantes from Grandy, NC. In her 14 year ice racing career Mandy has won an incredible 5 World Championship Titles! Come cheer her on as she tries for number 6!!! Trying to dethrone Mandy will be a great group of racers including WI's Chuck Calvert & "Stunt Man" Ken Remer, "Jersey Boy" Anthony Demeo, the Kansas Tornados and many more. We are looking forward to a great season of ICE RACING and hope you will join us!     SEE YOU AT THE ICE RACES!!!   THE GREATEST SPECTACLE ON ICE!TM   37TH ANNUAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ICE RACING SERIES SCHEDULE: (Click Link for Tickets)   Fri-Dec 14th 7:30 PM - Showare Center - Kent, WA Sat-Dec 15th 7:00PM - Comcast Arena - Everett, WA Fri-Jan 4th 7:00PM - Maverik Center - Salt Lake, UT Sat-Jan 5th 7:00PM - Maverik Center - Salt Lake, UT Sat-Jan 12th 7:30PM - US Cellular Coliseum - Bloomington, IL Sat-Jan 19th 7:30PM - Hampton Coliseum - Hampton, VA Sat-Feb 23rd 7:30PM - The Ford Center - Evansville, IN (Tickets not on sale yet)   I.C.E. World Headquarters, P.O. Box 8648, Myrtle Beach, SC 29578 P: (843) 750-0741; E:info@icespeedway.com ; www.icespeedway.com   THE GREATEST SPECTACLE ON ICE!TM -Celebrating 37 years of arena motorsports entertainment excellence-	International Championship Events, LLC. PO Box 8648 Myrtle Beach, SC 29578 EMAIL I.C.E. HERE
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