Saturday Cinema Matinee from AMA Pro Flat Track Brings You the Final National Main from the 2012 Springfield TT

Round 3 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season saw the cast and crew of The Rolling Thunder Show head to the Illinois State Fairgrounds for what would be the final National event held at the Multipurpose Arena for the foreseeable future. 

With the still-varying economy and so many other events being held over the course of the Memorial Day Weekend, crowd turnout at the 'little track that could' just wouldn't hold-up or make a National event feasible for the IMDA to continue to operate without massive losses to their already slim budget.  Of note, the Saturday night races before both of the Springfield Mile I (May 26) and the Springfield Mile II (September 1) will still be running races this year, but now will be promoted by the fine group of folks out of Paducah, KY. also known as Steve Nace Racing Promotions.

The SNR folks will be visiting Springfield on both weekends with TT and Short Track rounds of the 2013 Steve Nace Racing All-Star AMA National Flat Track Series presented by Golden Tyre, and those events are all but guaranteed to be what I like to call 'mini Nationals,' or races that are attended by a majority of the Grand National regulars looking to supplement their weekends at top-tiered races hosted at or near where there is a scheduled National event close by. 

For your enjoyment on this fine spring weekend, and thanks to AMA Pro Flat Track's YouTube page, today we bring you last year's final National main event from the Springfield TT, as produced from the great folks at the Lucas Oil Motorsports Hour crew.  In it's entirety as seen on MavTV and NBC Sports Network, all 49+ minutes of viewing pleasure have been uploaded to the AMA Pro Vids page, and it's worth taking the time to kick back on a lazy spring afternoon with a cool beverage of your choice to check this one out and relive the excitement of one of the best venues in the business.

In the shot above from heat 3 of the 2012 Springfield TT from May 26, the stars of the greatest racing series on two wheels in the world take off for their 10-lap qualifying heat to determine the 18-rider grid in the 25-lap main event.

(L-R); Cory Texter on the #65 RLT Racing Honda CRF450R, Brad Baker on the #12 Kenny Tolbert Racing Kawasaki KX450F, Matt Weidman on the #20 DFW Honda Racing CRF450, Mick Kirkness on the #87 Yeagers Cycle Suzuki RMZ450, Briar Bauman on the #10Z USC Kawasaki, and eventual heat, Dash and National main winner Henry Wiles on the #17 Don's Kawasaki blast off the line in unison.

Also seen in this shot are Dustin Crow on the #61 Greg Crow Racing Honda (2nd row, between Kirkness and Bauman), Sammy Halbert on the #7 Fredericktown Yamaha YZ450F (just over Wiles' left shoulder on row 2), and Lucas Scherb on the #22 DFW Honda (just behind Wiles on row 2.)

So kick back and enjoy the action, and get ready for the rest of the season ahead in the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship!


AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship round 3 of the 2012 season, the Springfield TT

You can use this as a study guide to help you relive the action at the Springfield TT with the results from AMA Pro Flat Track.

AMA Pro Flat Track: August 17 Indy Mile Tickets Go On Sale April 3

Jake Johnson on the #1 Zanotti Racing/Schaeffer's H-D/Boughner Racing/Arai-sponsored Harley-Davidson XR750 leads Sammy Halbert on the #7 South East H-D/The South Ass/Mo Vaughn Transport/LZ Racing-backed XR750 during the final qualifying round for the Lucas Oil Indy Mile on August 18, 2012. 

Round 10 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship at the Indiana State Fairgrounds saw Halbert take the win over a full house in the return to the Indy Mile as part of the 5th Annual Red Bull Indianapolis MotoGP Weekend.

Tickets for the 2013 event are scheduled to go on sale tomorrow, April 3, 2013, in what again will be a weekend of top-level racing in The Rolling Thunder Show held in conjunction with the Indiana State Fair.

Check out the press release below to see all the details in what will surely be another exciting and pivotal event that is guaranteed to be a must-see part of your summer!

TICKETS ON SALE FOR 2013 INDY MILE AMA PRO FLAT TRACK GRAND NATIONAL AT INDIANA STATE FAIRGROUNDS ON AUGUST 17, 2013

The Red Bull Indianapolis GP weekend will again feature the all-out competition of AMA Pro Flat Track on Saturday, August 17, 2013 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds

(Indianapolis -- April 2, 2013) The Indy Mile AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Motorcycle race returns to the legendary Indy Mile dirt track at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on Saturday, August 17, 2013.  The Indy Mile will again be held as a part of the Indiana State Fair as well as a featured event of the Red Bull Indianapolis GP weekend.  Tickets for the race, which is considered the “Crown Jewel” of AMA Pro Racing’s oldest and most tradition-rich professional racing series go on sale Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at www.IndyMile.com, any Ticketmaster location, or www.Ticketmaster.com.  Reserved Grandstand ticket locations are priced at $31 and $36 in advance and include Indiana State Fair Admission and facility fees.  Convenience fees may apply.   Last year’s huge crowds witnessed another legendary race with Sammy Halbert battling out a victory by the narrow margin of .027 of a second, making another “Indy Mile Moment” adding to the legendary lore of the Indy Mile.  2013 will again plan to deliver another night of sliding, drafting, handlebar-to-handlebar duels, 140 mph straightaway speeds and no-holds barred close finishes.   The Indy Mile will be held from 2:00pm to 10:00pm on Saturday, August 17, 2013.  Gates open at 2:00pm.  Practice and qualifying will be from 3:00pm to 5:00pm.  There will be a rider autograph session in the cold pit area from 5:00pm to 6:30pm.  Opening ceremonies will commence at 7:00pm followed by heat races at 7:30pm and the National Final at 9:30pm.   The latest information on the Indy Mile Pro Flat Track Grand National as well as schedule of events and past event double dvd sets may be found at www.IndyMile.com, www.fb.com/IndyMile or by calling (317) 236-6518.

www.IndyMile.com

RIDE Academy's Ocala, FL. Stop on January 26-27 to Have AMA Pro Flat Track Director Dan Johnsen in Attendance

RIDE Academy founder and former AMA Grand National competitor and National #67 Mike Hacker (back to camera) can be seen talking with current AMA Grand National #10, Johnny Lewis at round 3 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season at the Springfield TT on May 26.

Hacker and Lewis (seated on the #10 Scott Powersports/Saddlemen Seats/Silkolene/Wallace Trucking-sponsored Honda CRF450R) will be opening the 2013 season of RIDE Academy's riding schools next weekend as they take their many years of on and off track experience to the Sunshine State to spend another weekend teaching their skills to a sold-out class at the Marion County Speedway in Ocala, FL.  Also expected to lend a hand in the teaching department is former 3-Time AMA Grand National Twins Champion, Kenny Coolbeth, Jr., who is also a frequent instructor for the riding school.

Also seen in this picture are Willy Halbert (getting Sammy's #7 Frederickstown Yamaha set to go for the first round of practice at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Multipurpose Arena) and 2012 Daytona Short Track II winner, Matt Weidman on his #20 DFW Honda.

Check out the full press release below the next shot, and even though the school is sold out in Ocala, if you're in the area be sure to drop by to take in some of the great action sure to be present with these greats of AMA Pro Flat Track as they teach their tricks to the lucky few who will be in class next weekend!

AMA Pro Flat Track Director Dan Johnsen (center) can be seen talking with Australia native Mick Kirkness/AMA Grand National #87 and Sammy Halbert/AMA Grand National #7 at round 14 of the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.coms season at the Peoria TT on August 21.  Johnsen, who will be entering his third year as the manager of flat track operations for AMA Pro Racing after taking over the reigns from former '81 AMA Grand National Champion Mike Kidd in early 2011, will make the trip from the DMG offices in Daytona Beach next weekend to sit-in as a student at RIDE Academy's stop at the Ocala, FL. season-opening class.


Press release courtesy of Mike Hacker/RIDE Academy founder & Johnny Lewis AMA Grand National #10/RIDE Academy instructor

RIDE Academy Draws in AMA Pro Racing

 Director of AMA Pro Flat Track to Attend RIDE Academy

Ocala, FL. (January 18, 2013) – Since first appointed the Director of Flat Track for the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Series, Dan Johnsen has been looking to learn more about the sport even if it means throwing a leg over a bike and strapping on a steel shoe.  At the first RIDE Academy of the season in Ocala Florida, Dan will be doing just that!  He will be joining a sold out class where RIDE Academy will provide two days of training and instructing, both on and off the track.  Dan Johnsen will make the trip from the Daytona Beach, FL headquarters for the January 26/27 "RIDE Academy Ocala", presented by Metro Racing.

Dan will get the chance to ride and learn from AMA Pro Flat Track professionals: Johnny Lewis (National #10), Kenny Coolbeth (National #2) and former National #67 Mike Hacker.  The RIDE crew with also be bringing in two guest instructors, 2012 AMA Pro Singles race winners: Ryan Wells (94B) & Cody Johncox (96B).  Johnny Lewis stated in a conversation earlier this week, that he feels RIDE Academy is going to be able to show him (Dan Johnsen) the little things you can’t see by sitting in the stands or track side.  “The game is changing. From the bikes to the techniques of the riders, it’s not in a text book. 2013 is going to be a new chapter for AMA Pro Flat Track racing on many levels, and I feel Dan is taking the appropriate next steps to further his knowledge in the sport,” says Johnny Lewis.

It's not all business for Dan though.  He will be strapping on his helmet along with a steel shoe and is prepared to have some fun with the RIDE crew over the two days while seating up on one of the RIDE Academy CRF Honda training bikes.  RIDE starts the students off on their professionally prepared CRF Honda bikes, ranging from 50cc’s to 230cc’s.  They begin on a smaller course designed to allow the rider to progress faster than they would be able to riding at 100% performance on a full-size race bike.  Just like every other RIDE Academy Ocala student, Dan will then advance to the race bike on day 2 on a larger short track.  This will then lead into a full-size TT track for the last portion.

RIDE Academy Ocala, Florida is sold out but for more information on this school and other RIDE dates coming to a track near you, follow us on Facebook @ fb.me/rideacademytraining or at www.rideacademy.com.


About RIDE Academy

Riding. Instruction. Determination. Excellence.
RIDE Academy is determined to change the world of flat track racing.  We believe we have a formula that will lead many riders to success.  We are here to extend our combined knowledge to fellow riders so that they can become the best they can be in a far less amount of time that it has taken each of us.

About Metro Racing

Taking a page from motorcycle history and providing it to the enthusiasts of the world.  Check out our website at www.metroracing.com where you can get all kinds of cool vintage motorcycle gear.  Buy our stuff and support our racing habit!

Kerr Graphix Releases 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Twins Series Review Video

Round 5 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season roars into action as heat one blasts off the line at the Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima, OH. 

Leading the pack off the line is Sammy Halbert on his #7 South East H-D/The South Ass/Mo Vaughn Transport/LZ Racing-sponsored XR750.  Slammin' Sammy would go on to finish 2nd in the 8-lap race to qualify for the National behind heat-winner Jeffrey Carver, Jr. on the #23 Kiesow Racing/Hall's Cycles/Eddie Adkins/Sponseller-backed XR, with charging Briar Bauman (and eventual 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Saddlemen Rookie of the Year) on the #10Z Rod Lake Racing/USC Racing/Burnett Farms/Hart Racing-sponsored Kawasaki 650R rounding out the top-3.  Don Taylor on the #53 Deeley H-D/Parts Canada/Clares H-D/Taylor Mechanical-backed XR (partially obscured behind Halbert #7) rounding out the top-4 with a direct transfer to the 25-lap National main.

Kayl Kolkman on the #98 Wieblers H-D/Roy's Taco House/Don Camlin/Glens Autobody-sponsored XR would end up 6th in the heat, but would qualify for the National main later via one of the semi races.

Also pictured is Dustin Crow on the #61 Greg Crow Racing/Salina H-D/Peoria Motorcycle Club/Arai-sponsored XR, Adam Carpinello on the #58 Pilot Racing/BYB Racing/Weiss Racing/Moroney's H-D-backed XR and Bradley Hazel on the #41 Pete Allen/RJ1 Engines/Pure Attitude Active Wear/Silkolene-sponsored XR.

One of the regular photographers that follows the midwest Nationals, Ken Kerr from Kerr Graphix has released his year-end review video of his work from the Twins Series events this past season.  While we are now just over 70 days away from the season-opening rounds in Daytona, this is a great time to keep and stay geared up for the season ahead with Ken's year-end wrap-up.  Check it out below!

A big thanks to Ken Kerr/Kerr Graphix for this great compilation video from the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship Twins Series.  Ken does a heckuva job covering the majority of the midwest Nationals, and offers photos, rider cards and posters through his website.

Please take the time to check out his vast catalog here:

http://www.kerrgraphix.com/#/page/home/

In this shot taken at Lima, I give Ken a hand with the quilt his wife put together out of some his event t-shirts from over the years.  Later in the evening one of Ken's photos that he had mounted on canvas was raffled off for the Aid to Injured Riders fund.  Photo courtesy of Larry Lawrence/The Rider Files.com.

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: IMDA Offering Special Bonus Gift Certificates for Early Springfield 2013 Ticket Purchases

With just a few laps to go, Bryan Smith on the #42 Crosley Radio/Howerton Motorsports powered by Eaken Racing/Guts Wear/Dreyer Motorsports-sponsored Kawasaki 650R leads four of the finest racers in the business at the Springfield Mile II on September 16.

Round 13 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season saw Flyin' Bryan finish what he had started to do at the Memorial Day Weekend running of the event by taking the checkers ahead of a stacked field of riders at one of the premier events on The Rolling Thunder Show's calendar.

In the end, Sammy Halbert on his #7 South East H-D/The South Ass/Mo Vaughn Transport/LZ Racing-backed XR750 would follow Smith home, just .041 seconds in arrears with eventual 2012 AMA Grand National Champion Jared Mees just another .222 seconds behind. 

Willie McCoy on his #59 Harley-Davidson of Wausau/Independence H-D/Tucker Rocky/Arai-sponsored XR would bring it home in the 7th-place spot after close contact with Jake Johnson on the #1 Zanotti Racing/Schaeffer's H-D/Boughner Racing Suspension/Arai-backed XR on the final lap, with Johnson rounding out the top-5 behind JD Beach.

The top-7 finishers would be separated in the end by just over 1.3 seconds in what was another stellar event at the Illinois State Fairgrounds mile oval, another in a long line of great racing events as promotoed by the Illinois Motorcycle Dealers Association (IMDA). 

The fine folks from the IMDA have announced special advance-purchase ticket prices and specials for the upcoming 2013 season, and as every flat track fan in the world knows Springfield is THE place to be over the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.

Check out the official release below thanks to the IMDA and AMA Pro Flat Track, and get your discount tickets now to take advantage of what will surely be another great year of racing at the Illinois State Fairgrounds facility!

IMDA Brings in the Holiday Spirit With 2013 Season Gift Certificates

Sent of behalf of the IMDA:   SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (December 7, 2012) - Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for your AMA Pro Flat Track enthusiast? Has your loved one said they have always wanted to go to Springfield and see the fastest mile in the country? The IMDA (Illinois Motorcycle Dealers Association) has gift certificates available for the 2013 Springfield races. The certificates can be used for tickets, t-shirts, programs, or hotel rooms. As a special bonus if the certificates are ordered before December 24th, you will be able to purchase a 2012 Springfield Mile T-shirt for only $5. To order, just call 217-753-8866 or 888-468-1622.   The IMDA has full weekends of racing planned again for the 2013 Memorial Day and Labor Day holiday weekends.   On Friday May 24th , the AMA amateur TT will start at 5pm. To make this night extra exciting, there will be a pro class added to the event and grandstand tickets will be only $10. Then on Saturday May 25th, the AMA All Star TT race will start at 7pm. As a bonus for the riders, the IMDA has committed to add $500 to the expert purse for every top 20 rider that pre-enters by January 31, 2013. That is an extra $10,000 if they choose to race. This will also be a budget friendly race for the fans with tickets only $15 in advance or $20 the week of the race.   On Sunday May 26th, the action heads to the lightning fast Springfield Mile track. This historic race has a reputation for lead changes twice a lap and drafting wars that impress race fans of every discipline. The tickets at the mile are only $30 in advance. As amazing as it sounds, the price for all three days of racing is only $55 per person.                               Kayl Kolkman #98 leads the field away at the start of semi race #2 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.  The IMDA is offering special gift certificates for early purchase of their 2013 events at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.  AMA Pro Flat Track photo by Dave Hoenig.     Labor Day weekends starts off on Friday August 30, 2013 with the AMA amateur short track race. Just like in the spring, the race will offer a pro class. Then on August 31st, the AMA All Star Short Track will take place at 7pm. On Sunday September 1st, the excitement is back on the legendary Springfield Mile.   It is never too early to plan for an exciting vacation of racing and riding. When you call to order don't forget to ask us to send you a Springfield Visitor's Guide. There is plenty to do here in addition to the races. Call 217-753-8866 or 888-468-1622.

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: MavTV Set to Broadcast Knoxville Half-Mile on December 13

The three men who have dominated the last three seasons in the AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com series stand atop the box after the running of the Springfield Mile I  on May 29, 2011.  Jared Mees had just won his first-ever mile event at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on the #9 Rogers Lake Racing/Blue Springs H-D/Lucas Oil/Saddlemen-sponsored XR750 over Jake Johnson and Sammy Halbert. 

In the shot above from that great day, AMA Pro Flat Track announcer Barry Boone talks with 3rd-place finisher Slammin' Sammy as runner-up Jersey Jake and event winner Jammin' Jared discuss what really happened out their after 25-laps and Mees' tuner, Brent Armbruster, looks after the team's winning mount.

While Halbert would take the overall wins category for the last two seasons, Johnson and Mees would end up snaring the title in the '11 and '12 seasons, respectively, over the hard-charging Washington State resident.  Johnson added to his '10 title, while Mees took the overall honors this season in a year that saw more and rejuvenated innovations in The Rolling Thunder Show, which is expected to gain even more steam for the upcoming 2013 year.

Rumor has it that the 2013 schedule may include, again, a couple of previously-visited venues that weren't on the schedule in '12, and it was announced on Facebook today that the Pomona season-ending round will be making their official announcement soon as to when their event will take place next year.  And as has been the case for the last two years AMA Pro Flat Track is expected to announce the 2013 schedule sometime in the next 12-14 days +/-.

MavTV and AMA Pro Flat Track announced today that round 11 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season at the Knoxville Half-Mile will be broadcast next Thursday, December 13.  See what the official press release has to say below and get your DVRs set as we all await the release of the new schedule and get ready to welcome Santa Claus into our homes in just 18 more days.

Tune-In Alert: Knoxville Half-Mile Airs December 13th on MAVTV

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (December 6, 2012) - AMA Pro Flat Track's racing action from Knoxville Raceway will be aired next Thursday (December 13) evening at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.   How to catch the action:   Find out how to get MAVTV by going to http://mavtv.com/get-mavtv.html   MAVTV is available nationwide on: Dish Network - 361 Please check your local listings for a channel line-up to find MAVTV. Search Lucas Oil Motorsports Hour or Motorsports Hour if you don't see the program listed.                                Jared Mees on the #9 Rogers Racing XR leads Brad Baker on the #12 Dodge Bros. XR during the running of round 11 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season at the Knoxville Half-Mile.  MavTV will air the race on Thursday, December 13, 2012.  AMA Pro Flat Track photo by Dave Hoenig.     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: Brandon Robinson #44 to Ride for USC Racing Kawasaki Team in 2013

Brandon Robinson relaxes in the pit area at round 10 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season at the Lucas Oil Indy Mile on August 18.  Riding for the Werner-Springsteen Monster Energy Kawasaki team for the 2012 Twins Series events, BRob44 had the best finish of his young career in his fourth season as an Expert-ranked rider by finishing 11th in the overall standings at the end of the season.

Robinson took the #44 Werner-Springsteen Racing/Sponseller/Penske/Motion Pro-sponsored Kawasaki 650R-based parallel twin to a superior finish of 2nd-place later in the evening at Indy for what was his best-ever finish in the Grand National Championship.  Leading laps and almost pulling off the upset win over veteran Sammy Halbert, Robinson backed up his 4th-place finish earlier in the season at the Sacramento Mile with another top-5 performance for the season in his first year with the team.

As was announced a few days ago thanks to the always entertaining, energetic and informative Tyler Porter from Fight For Dirt Track.com, Robinson will be taking his skills in the saddle to the USC Racing Kawasaki team for the upcoming 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track season. 

Brandon will join part-time team mate JD Beach (who will be returning to the Geico Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing Daytona SportBike Championship for his full-time job in the '13 season) on the 650R-based team.  Rob Pearson, 2012 Rookie of the Year Briar Bauman and Jethro Halbert are among a few other riders who have ridden for the team in the last two seasons.

Also seen in the shot above are two of the other machines in the Werner-Springsteen stable.  In the middle sits Stevie Bonsey's #80 Werner-Springsteen/Alpinestars/Wossner Pistons/Cometic Gasket-sponsored mount, with Robinson's back-up machine sitting in the background. 

The back-up mount is the same bike taken to the Indy and Springfield Mile wins during the 2010 season under the tutelage of team owners 13-Time AMA Grand National Championship-winning master wrench Bill Werner and 3-Time AMA Grand National Champion Jay Springsteen, with Bryan Smith at the controls.  Sammy Halbert ended up practicing the bike in the first session at Indy under an agreement he had worked out with team captain Werner, but according to the multi-time championship-winning tuner there wasn't enough time to get it dialed in to Sammy's liking in order for him to try to run the National on, and obviously that worked out to Halbert's advantage with him ultimately winning his first-ever mile event later that evening.

The podium celebrations get under way at round 10 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season at the Lucas Oil Indy Mile on August 18.  Jared Mees #9 and Brandon Robinson #44 flank first-time mile event winner Sammy Halbert after he had beaten Robinson to the line in the National main by just .027 seconds on his #7 South East Harley/The South Ass/Mo Vaughn Transport/LZ Racing-sponsored XR750.

Robinson was celebrating his best-ever finish of his four year career as an Expert-ranked rider after taking the Werner-Springsteen Kawasaki to a 2nd-place finish, and how ironic that must have been for the Pennsylvana resident after being hurled out of the park during the Lucas Oil Indy Mile in 2009 and fighting back from injuries and surgeries to ulitmately have the best finish of his Grand National career at Indy and at the end of the season overall.

With BRob44's experience on the Kawi twin gaining ground as the year went on, his move to the USC Racing Kawasaki team for the 2013 season should bring in some added knowledge and set-up experience to one of the other great teams now campaigning the parallel twin on the AMA Pro Flat Track circuit.

We wish both USC and Brandon the best of luck for the 2013 season and are looking forward to seeing some strong results out of them in the coming year!


You can follow BRob44 here via his Twitter account:

http://twitter.com/BRob44

...and here via his official website:

http://brandonrobinson44.com/

And again a thanks goes out to Tyler Porter at Fight For Dirt Track.com for making the announcement in his Inslide Line column from late Thanksgiving Thursday.  You can check out TP's most recent columns on FFDT.com here to keep up on the 'inslide line' from one of AMA Pro Flat Track's more amusing and most informative sources:

http://www.fightfordt.com/new_site/inslide_line.php

AMA Flat Track: Stu's Shots & Todays Cycle Coverage.com 2012 Season Wrap-Up

The top-7 men in the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season get ready to roll out for the first practice session of the day at round 13 at the Springfield Mile II on September 16.  With four rounds to go in the season, the battle for the 2012 AMA Grand National Championship was coming to a head with the Pomona season-finale lying just 27 days away.

Finishing what could have been a totally miserable season after breaking his leg at round 5 at Lima just shy of three months earlier, Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. rounded out his season with another win (after having taken the Knoxville Half-Mile win in just his second race back from injury).  Coolbeth took the #2 Screamin' Eagle/Harley-Davidson Motor Co/Fox/Arai Helmets-sponsored factory XR750 to a decisive win at Pomona to end the season ranked in the 7th-place position after missing out on five of the season's 16 rounds due to his recovery.

After having another stellar year in winning three rounds in the Singles Series for the 2012 season (Springfield TT and Short Track and his record-tying 8th win at the Peoria TT), Henry Wiles and the #17 Lloyd Brothers Motorsports/Foremost Insurance Group/Ramspur Winery/ENI USA-backed Ducati team had what could easily be referenced as an up-and-down season in the series' ten Twins Series events. 

Losing three motors on the year, the team fought hard to still bring home two top-5 results with finishes of 2nd and 4th at Lima and Indy, respectively, and also added three other top-10 finishes to round out the year on a much higher note to rank as the 6th-place rider for the 2012 season.

2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Saddlemen Rookie of the Year Brad 'The Bullet' Baker was probably the most-traveled of riders throughout the 2012 season in terms of how many different motorcycles he threw his leg over in competition.  Starting off the season riding for Kenny Tolbert Racing on a fleet of Kawasaki KX450Fs and 650R-based mounts, it all fell apart for KT and the Washington state resident at the fourth round of the season at the Springfield Mile I round.

Failing to make the main, just days later Tolbert pulled the plug on the team due to lack of funding (other then what was coming out of the Texan's pockets) and mothballed the team, leaving Baker without any current options.  By round 5 at Lima he showed up on a bike that reportedly hadn't been in competition in several years, qualified strong only to end the evening in the 17th-place spot with only two points scored in two events.

See-sawing between some strong rides on a Tony Dodge-prepped XR, putting in two events on the Harley factory mount in place of injured team rider Coolbeth, and then competing on his own Baker Brothers' Honda for the remaining Singles Series events on the calendar,  the sophomore Expert ended the year with a super 2nd-place finish at Pomona and as the 5th-ranked rider in the nation.  I don't believe since Gary Scott's defense of his '75 championship has a rider rode or competed on such a wide breadth of equipment in one season and Baker's ability to jump on different machinery throughout the year more then shows it is just a short matter of time before we see him on top of the box.

Bryan Smith was one of only four men in the 2012 season that made all 16 events on the year (the other three will be mentioned shortly.)  With the advantage of two wins on the year on the #42 Crosley Radio/Howerton Motorsports powered by Eaken Racing/MPH/Guts Wear-sponsored Kawasaki 650R-based rocket (Sacto Mile and Springfield Mile II) and a big handful of top-3s, Flyin' Bryan not only finished the season as the 4th-ranked rider in the country, but also took home the ceremonial Twins Series Championship for the year. 

All of the talk this last season was focused on and around the new parallel twin mount that first showed it's strength and prowess under the mile specialist's grip at the Springfield Mile I round by winning his heat and the Dash for Cash (and eventually a hard-fought 3rd-place in the first Twins Series event of the season.)  By mid-year the talk had turned to advantages and riding styles and differences between the power output, weight and racing lines used by the new breed of mile machines.

At Pomona last month, it also showed that a Kawi could also end up on the box at a half-mile event in what was a great 3rd-place finish to cap off the season's ramblings.  It was also what I believe to be the second-best finish on a half-mile track since the Kawi's first started hitting the track in the 2010 season (Johnny Lewis took the #10 Scott Powersports Kawi to a 2nd-place finish at Hagerstown in 2011.)

With his string of 10 of 11 podium finishes between the Springfield TT and the Springfield Mile II rounds, 2-Time and defending AMA Grand National Champion Jake Johnson looked more than able to keep in the fight for his third series title in the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season.

But in the end, the champ and the #1 Zanotti Racing/Schaeffer's H-D/Boughner Racing/Arai-backed XR750 team not only had dropped to the 3rd-ranked spot on the year but Johnson failed to win a National main for the first time in his over ten years competing in the series.    Never fret, the quiet man with the championship focus will be back as strong as ever carrying the #5 again, proudly ready to go after it again.  And you can bet he'll be ready to make up for lost time.

Sammy Halbert again led the series in overall wins for the 2012 season (Lima Half-Mile, Castle Rock TT, Indy and Santa Rose Miles) and with his first-ever mile event win at the Lucas Oil Indy Mile on August 18 grabbed the dirt track 'grand slam' along the way.  Looking to steal the championship from Jared Mees by getting a 2nd-place in the Dash at Pomona after both Mees and Johnson missed the extra points-paying event, Slammin' Sammy's #7 South East Harley/The South Ass/Mo Vaughn Transport/LZ Racing-sponsored XR had his clutch go south in the National main and ended up with an unlucky 13th-place finish to end the year ranked as the 2nd-overall rider in the nation. 

Jared Mees had previously wrapped up the ceremonial 2012 Single Series Championship at the Springfield Short Track on September 15, but even then stated he still had 'unfinished business' in terms of clinching the overall championship at Pomona.  After getting banged and moved around at Pomona, Mees settled into an eventual 8th-place finish that would cap his run to the 2012 AMA Grand National Championship on the #9 Rogers Racing/Blue Springs H-D/National Cycle/Lucas Oil-sponsored XR750. 

With the team announcing several weeks ago that tuner Brent Armbruster would be leaving the team (and moving to the Lloyd Brothers Motorsports corral for the 2013 season), Mees' and Rogers' new tuner, Kenny Tolbert, will be back in action spinning the wrenches for the new AMA Grand National Championship-winning effort.

Could KT also be bringing along his fleet of Mean Green Kawi 650Rs that have been in the closet since mid-June?  Mees had talked of having to put a Kawi together in order to keep with the Kawi rockets in mid-September.  Or will KT's signing make the difference for them to be able to stay with their tried and true XR fleet?  Don't forget, the chances are still pretty good that the rules will get some tweaking in terms of restrictor sizes mandated and in weight minimums being set for all of the competitors for the 2013 season.  But will that be enough to keep the pundits quiet? 

Only time will tell, and it's going to be a long off-season...............

Stephen Vanderkuur hops off of his #10J Parkinson Brothers Racing/Performance Cycle & Dyno/MDR/SSR-sponsored Honda CRF450R after winning his heat race at round 5 of the 2012 AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles season at the Lima Half-Mile on June 30.  AMA Pro Flat Track announcer Barry Boone talks to the crowd while Vanderkuur gets some help with his mount and gear prior to the podium celebrations.

Vanderkuur ended the season with three wins on the year and capped off his 2012 Pro Singles Championship in style by winning the season-finale round at Pomona to go with his previous wins at the Lucas Oil Indy Mile and Santa Rosa Mile events.  The young rider, another of a long line of superior flat track talent to come out of the state of Michigan, didn't even qualify for the first two rounds at Daytona, yet still finished the season on top over two riders who qualified for all 16 rounds on the season (runner-up in the 2012 championship Jake Shoemaker and 3rd-place man Jason Isennock) and completed his great run for the championship with seven top-3 performances, ending the year with a tally of 214 points to Shoemaker's 192 and Isennock's 175 points.

A big congrats to our new 2012 AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles Champion, Stephen Vanderkuur, who had a strong season to capture the fourth Pro Singles Championship since the series' inception in 2009.  Vanderkuur joins former series champions Brad Baker, Jeffrey Carver, Jr. and Mikey Martin in a very unique group of young men who have since moved up to the AMA Grand National Expert class to compete against the best racers in the world in The Rolling Thunder Show.  A job well done, and I'm sure we'll see our new champion competing against the big boys before too long!


Dan Jacobson, Sr. is one of the many fans, photographers and journalists that follow the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship to every event possible each season.  Based out of the Great White North in Fargo, North Dakota, 'Dakota Dan' as he is known, probably puts on thousands of miles each year traveling to the events he covers from his remote location, and chronicles those events at Todays Cycle Coverage.com.  Check out Dan's latest from the season-finale at Pomona below, along with some super photography from Tom Hnitaw.

A big thanks to Dan Jacobson, Sr. & Todays Cycle Coverage.com for this great write-up on the season-finale 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:

http://www.todayscyclecoverage.com/wordpress/2012/11/09/the-king-of-cool-and-fast/

AMA Flat Track: MavTV Set to Air Round 10 from the Lucas Oil Indy Mile on November 22

Round 10 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season saw the return of the Lucas Oil Indy Mile to the series' schedule after the abrupt cancelation of the 2011 event due to the unfortunate aftermath of the stage rigging collapse just days earlier at the Sugarland concert held during the Indiana State Fair.

With The Rolling Thunder Show back on-track after a one-year hiatus, the racing returned as did the crowds, helped out by the 5th Annual Red Bull Indy MotoGP being held just down the road at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 

Heat two action gets off to a roaring start as AMA Pro Flat Track official flagman Kevin Clark hits the button on the Christmas tree to kick-off the 8-lap sprint to help determine the 18-rider National main event line up.  With first-year Expert and 2011 Pro Singles runner-up Mikey Avila getting the jump on the #33E SDI/Bisha Racing/Alpinestars/Arai-sponsored XR750, the rest of the front row follows suit.

Morton, Illinois resident Rob Pearson on the #27 Roeder Racing/Eaken Racing/Moose/PMS-backed XR, Henry Wiles on the #17 Lloyd Brothers Motorsports/Ramspur Winery/Foremost Insurance Group/ENI USA-sponsored Ducati, Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. on the #2 Screamin' Eagle/Harley-Davidson Motor Co/Fox/Arai-sponsored factory XR, Sammy Halbert on his #7 South East H-D/The South Ass/Mo Vaughn Transport/LZ Racing-backed XR, and 2-Time AMA Grand National Champion Jake Johnson on the #1 Zanotti Racing/Schaeffer's H-D/Boughner Racing/Arai-sponsored XR750 drop the hammer in unison.  Cory Texter on the #65 Eaken Racing Kawasaki/RLT Racing/Herr's/Invisible Glass-sponsored 650R and Chaz Springsteen on the #29J Dan Dafner/TCR/Arai/Jay Springsteen-sponsored XR can be seen coming off of row 2.

Johnson made this one his own 'show me the money' race in running away with an over 3.4 second win over runner-up Halbert.  Coolbeth and Wiles rounded out the top-4 who were set for the National, while the rest headed to a semi.

At the end of the night, Johnson had a horrible night in crashing out while racing with Bryan Smith on the #42 Crosley/Howerton rocket Kawi in the main, Sammy went on to take his first-ever mile event win and rounded out his dirt track 'grand slam,' Coolbeth took home a great 5th-place finish in his first race back after earlier in the season breaking his leg, and Wiles took his second-best result of the season in finishing 4th in a superb ride on the Big Red LBM Italian 'L' twin.

Rob Pearson, who was supposed to be riding the Memphis Shades H-D, had to work a deal with Skip Eaken Racing at Indy after the Memphis Shades hauler broke down in route to Indy, and at the end of the night had raced both the XR and Eaken's bright orange and white Kawasaki.  Pearson rode the Roeder/Eaken XR to a 3rd-place finish in the semi, and then hopped on the Kawi in the main to take it to a strong 7th-place finish after Texter failed to qualify for the main.  Avila came home in the 12th-placed spot.

Brandon Robinson on the #44 Werner-Springsteen Racing/Sponseller/Wossner Pistons/Big Dawg Racing-sponsored Kawasaki leads Dan Ingram on the #31J TCR/Zanna Racing/Indy Southside H-D/Tucker Rocky-backed XR750 and Willie McCoy on his #59 Harley-Davidson of Wausau/Independence H-D/Tucker Rocky/Arai-sponsored XR750 during one of the qualifying sessions at the Lucas Oil Indy Mile on August 18, 2012.

Round 10 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season saw Robinson put in the best ride of his career on the Werner-Springsteen Kawasaki, leading several laps and almost pulling out the upset win over eventual winner Sammy Halbert.  As the season progressed, Robinson got better and better on the Green Machine and elevated himself back to contending status in the Expert class.  And returning to the track that almost ended it all for him just three years earlier and having such a great run to 2nd-place on the night had to be a great shot in the arm for the Pennsylvania resident.

Talking about returns, local Clermont, Indiana resident Ingram returned to the Indiana State Fairgrounds mile oval 20 years after having previously raced at his hometown track.  Injured in a racing crash at Springfield in the spring of '93, Dapper Dan was able to mount a return to the series that also almost ended it all for him almost two decades ago, when he made his return to the Expert ranks at Springfield in late May. 

After looking strong early in his heat race, Ingram lowsided out of turn two after close contact with Brad Baker, and was forced to run the semi.  But the Hometown Hero didn't disappoint as he went on to win that semi race much to the roaring approval of the packed house on hand.  Getting the loudest ovation all night, seeing Ingram's elation on the podium alone was worth the price of admission.  Unfortunately his night ended after just one lap in the 25-lap National main when his motor went south on his Tom & Nicky Cummings-prepped XR.  But at the end of the day, everyone in the house knew that the former 3-time AMA Grand National Championship race winner was back where he belonged, and in a big way!

McCoy had an off-night for the long time veteran and mile specialist.  After winning the previous two events at the Springfield Mile, Willie was a stout favorite coming into the night's action held the same weekend as the 5th Annual Red Bull Indy MotoGP just a few miles down the road at The Brickyard.  Coming out of the semi to make the 18-rider National main, McCoy's mount went south 18 laps in and was credited with an unlucky 13th-place finish.

So it's not like I've given any spoilers away here (since this race ran almost three months ago) but you would be well advised to catch MavTV's coverage of the Lucas Oil Indy Mile when it airs next week.  In another stellar event put on by the Blue Crew, AMA Pro Flat Track did a superb job of showcasing the best racing show on wheels in the world in front of a big international crowd.

Check out the press release below from AMA Pro Flat Track to get your DVRs set now, you won't be disappointed in this one as it is a must-see event--again!

Tune-In Alert: Lucas Oil Indy Mile Airs November 22nd on MAVTV

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (November 13, 2012) - AMA Pro Flat Track's racing action from the Lucas Oil Indy Mile will be aired this Thanksgiving (November 22) evening at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT with a re-airing at 12:00 a.m. ET midnight.                               Jake Johnson #1 leads Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. #2, Sammy Halbert #7, Rob Pearson #27 and Mikey Avila #33E early in the running of heat 2 at the Lucas Oil Indy Mile on August 18, 2012.  MavTV and AMA Pro Flat Track announced today that MavTV will be broadcasting this great event on November 22 at 9:00 PM EST.  AMA Pro Flat Track photo by Dave Hoenig.     How to catch the action:   Find out how to get MAVTV by going to http://mavtv.com/get-mavtv.html   MAVTV is available nationwide on: Dish Network - 361 Please check your local listings for a channel line-up to find MAVTV. 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