AMA Pro Racing Purchases New Airfence

AMA Pro Racing Invests in Airfence, Expresses Gratitude to Roadracing World Action Fund

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 24, 2013) - AMA Pro Racing officials announced today that the company has made an important investment in rider safety and will be taking delivery of a brand new inventory of Airfence for enhancing the protection of riders at GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing events.  For many years, the Roadracing World Action Fund (RWAF), a non-profit organization which focuses on promoting rider safety with an emphasis on the use of soft barriers, has graciously provided AMA Pro Racing with a supply of Airfence to help protect their professional athletes.  AMA Pro Racing would like to thank John Ulrich and the Roadracing World Action Fund for many years of proactive and continued involvement.

 

"We are pleased to be in a position to acquire our own Airfence to enhance our ability to meet the needs of the Series," said Michael Gentry, Chief Operating Officer of AMA Pro Racing.  "We would like to express our gratitude to John Ulrich and the rest of the Roadracing World Action Fund Board of Directors for all that they have done and will continue to do in the interest of promoting rider safety."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"The goal of the Roadracing World Action Fund has been to encourage racing sanctioning bodies to proactively improve rider safety by deploying soft barriers," said RWAF Founder and President John Ulrich.  "AMA Pro Racing has set the bar in deploying soft barriers provided by the Roadracing World Action Fund and is now taking the extra step of buying its own fleet of soft barriers for use at AMA Pro Road Races.  That means the Roadracing World Action Fund can now redeploy the sections that have been on loan to AMA Pro, at additional road racing events run by CCS, WERA and other sanctioning bodies.  The net result will be enhanced rider safety at more events nationwide."

 

The Roadracing World Action Fund, working with IMDA and AMA Pro Racing, also supplies soft barriers for use at AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles events.

 

To contribute to the Roadracing World Action Fund or for additional information, please visit http://www.roadracingworld.com/actionfund/.

 

Next up, GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing heads to Elkhart Lake, Wis. for the Subway SuperBike Doubleheader at Road America, scheduled for May 31 - June 2, 2013.  For tickets and information, please visit http://www.roadamerica.com/. 

 

About GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing:

 

GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing is the premier motorcycle road racing series in North America. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, the Series is universally regarded as one of the most competitive road racing organizations in the world.  The 2013 schedule includes rounds on many of the country's finest road courses. For more information on GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing, please visit http://www.amaproracing.com/rr/.

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 Heads to Springfield Mile I Round 4 of the 2013 Season on Sunday, May 26

Round 4 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship heads to the Springfield Mile I Memorial Day Weekend running of the first mile event on the calendar in what should be another great shoot-out at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

With Brandon Robinson leading the overall point standings after his Daytona Short Track II event win, and finishing in the 5th-place spot at Daytona I and a solid 6th-place finish at round 3 at the Stockton Half-Mile, the TJ Burnett Farms Kawasaki team rider looks to keep atop the standings and also card his first-ever mile event win for his new team in the 2013 season.

2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Saddlemen Rookie of the Year Brad Baker sits in the 2nd-place spot of the overall standings after a stellar start to the season, in spite of his Daytona II disqualification for unapproved forks on his Honda CRF450R.  Baker has finished in the 2nd-place spot in all three races to start the season off on a very strong note, and will be on the Dodge Brothers Racing team's XR750 again this Sunday.

Sitting in the 3rd-place spot in the championship is Henry Wiles, who in all likelihood will be piloting the Lloyd Brothers Motorsports Italian 'L' twin after taking a well-earned 3rd-place finish at the last round in Stockton on the team's new XR. 

2010-2011 AMA Grand National Champion Jake Johnson holds down the 4th-place spot in the championship, and was originally expected to roll out the Zanotti Racing Kawasaki at Springfield this Sunday, but word has it that development on the team's new mount is running behind and Dave Zanotti and Ted McDermitt are expected to roll-out the team's powerhouse XRs this weekend.

And rounding out the top-5 is Mikey Rush, winner of the Daytona Short Track I round of the season on March 14, who will be looking to add to his two short track wins while trying to nail down his first-ever Twins Series event win of his career.

The list of folks looking to walk away with the win at Springfield this Sunday is deep, including Bryan Smith on the #42 Crosley Radio/Howerton Motorsports Kawasaki, who won the last go-around at Springfield back on September 16.  Willie McCoy will be looking to add to his two Springfield wins, most recently from the May event last season, and Jared Mees will be looking to make amends after his near get off at the Stockton Half-Mile and to get back into contention for going after another AMA Grand National Championship after taking the crown at Pomona last October. 

Add to that list 3-Time AMA Grand National Twins Champion Kenny Coolbeth, Jr., Stockton winner and 2012 runner-up Sammy Halbert,  and Johnny Lewis who will be on the #10 Latus Motors Racing Triumph for his second time out this season.  Of course, the list doesn't end there so you will need to keep glued to AMA Pro Flat Track's Live Timing and Scoring as well as their new addition to online viewing ala their Live Streaming Video--that is if you aren't planning on attending one of The Rolling Thunder Show's best race venues!

So get ready for the best racing on two wheels in the world as The Rolling Thunder Show heads to Springfield for what will surely be a monumental event on this season's calendar!

In the shot above, Brandon Robinson on the #44 Werner-Springsteen Kawasaki leads Willie McCoy on his #59 Harley-Davidson of Wausau XR750, with Jared Mees on the #9 Rogers Racing XR grabbing a share of the draft during heat race action at round 4 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season at Springfield on May 27.

Check out the press release below thanks to AMA Pro Flat Track as we get ready to roll into Springfield for some serious mile action this Sunday!


AMA Pro Flat Track Riders Head for Springfield and the Running of the Famed Springfield Mile

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 24, 2013) - Ready for action, teams now head to Springfield, Il. and the running of Round 4 of AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles, May 26th at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

 

Steeped in history, the famed Springfield Mile is considered one of the fastest miles on the AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles circuit and every rider wants to lay claim to the glory of taking the checkered flag.  Going full bore from start to finish, this spectacular race showcases the best dirt track racers in the world in unparalleled non-stop action.

 

The long history of two-wheeled racing at Springfield actually began back in 1937 when the first AMA Class C National Championship was held on the Springfield Mile.  In fact, until 1954 if a rider won The Mile he was rewarded the most coveted prize in Dirt Track competition, the National Champion's Number 1 plate.  While this is no longer the case, winning the Springfield mile is one of the most coveted victories in the Grand National Championship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Willie McCoy #59 leads Jake Johnson #1, Jared Mees #9 and Johnny Lewis #10 during round 4 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season at the Springfield Mile I on May 27.  AMA Pro Flat Track photo by Dave Hoenig.

 

 

Not only does this race pit rider against rider, but it also pits machine against machine. Harley- Davidson, Honda, Aprilia, BMW, Buell, Ducati, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha all offer AMA approved models and seven of these machines are on the entry list.

 

With three races down, there have been three different winners: Mike Rush of Hollister, Calif., took top honors at the season opener in Daytona, the second race at Daytona found Brandon Robinson of Oxford, Pa., first on the podium and at the inaugural Stockton Half-Mile, Sammy Halbert of Graham, Wa., took the checkered.

 

Adding even more for fun and excitement for fans will be a "Race of Legends" hosted by the Ride Academy.  The race will include a number of past Grand National Championship riders who will be on hand to show their support for the Basic Twins class scheduled to return to the series.  Jay Springsteen, Joe Kopp, Tommy Duma, Charlie Roberts, Jackie Mitchell, Tim Mertens, Ronnie Jones, Steve Beattie, Steve Morehead, Mike Hacker, Chris Carr and more will all be on hand to show their talent on two wheels. 

Mounted on Honda dirt bikes courtesy of Ride Academy, the former stars of the flat track 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.  Each participant will be provided special number plates, courtesy of Mr. Sign (Dave Lenkowsky), 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.

 

Hitting speeds up to 130 mph and racing handlebar-to-handlebar, flat track racing is indeed the most exciting form of two-wheel racing in America today.  There is no time to coast, no time to try and figure out strategy.  It is sheer go-for-it from beginning to end and this is definitely a race you won't want to miss.  Tickets are on sale now.  For more information go to: http://www.illinoismda.com/ or call 217-753-8866.

 

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/.

 

Media Contacts:

Penny Nicolai | Concepts Unlimted | Tel: 818-881-6458 | Cell: 818-416-8782 | PennyNicolai@aol.com

Andrew Swain | AMA Pro Racing | Cell: 386-316-7804 | aswain@amaproracing.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: Waters Auto Body KTM/Project K Racing Signs GE Capital as 2013 Sponsor

The Waters Auto Body KTM/Project K Team with rider Steve Murray has announced a new addition to their sponsorship program for their 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season. 

GE Capital, one of the leading consumer and business lending services in North America, will be onboard with the Albion, NY-based team throughout the 2013 season as one of their associate sponsors to the team's efforts.

With riders Steve Murray, AMA Grand National #51 and new signee Ryan Wells, AMA Pro J&P Cycles Pro Singles #94B, the team is the lone KTM-sponsored representative in the AMA Pro Flat Track tour. There has been a couple of riders over the course of the last few seasons that have worked with KTM-based machines, but the Waters Auto Body KTM team is the lone-sponsored and only true KTM-repped of the eight or nine manufacturers that have qualified for an AMA Grand National in the last few seasons.

In the shot above, rider Steve 'Murrdizzle' Murray rolls out for the final qualifying session at the Indy Mile during round 10 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on August 18, on the team's #51 Waters Auto Body/KTM North America/Bell Helmets/Arlen Ness-sponsored LC8-based Twins Series mount.

You can check out the details of this new announcement below, straight from Dave and Rhonda Waters, owner-operators of the Waters Auto Body KTM team, with their official press release on this great effort in bringing in another high-profile outside-the-industry sponsor to The Rolling Thunder Show and their great efforts in fielding an AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship team.


Press release courtesy of the Waters Auto Body KTM/Project K Racing AMA Grand National Championship team

GE Capital on Board for 2013

May 23, 2013 -- Albion, NY -- Project K Racing LLC is proud to announce teaming up with GE Capital Financial Services for the 2013 season.   A chance introduction last year was a clear cut case of being at the right place at the right time. 

 

In Pomona at the final round in 2012, a curious group of onlookers peeked team owner Rhonda Waters interest after a short conversation during the open paddock.  “After introducing themselves as KTM lovers and supporters we followed up on it during the off season and secured a sponsorship from GE Capital,” states Dave Waters.

 

Photo by and courtesy of the Waters Auto Body KTM/Project K Racing AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship team.

This truly shows how important it is when the fans and teams are allowed to meet and converse.  It allows teams to showcase their riders, equipment and also the people behind the scenes and helps build loyalty that grows our fan base.  This “out of the industry” sponsor is a huge step for the team and for the sport of flat track racing in general.

 

Project K Racing riders are Steve Murray #51 in the Twins division and Ryan Wells 94B in the Pro Singles series.

”GE Capital's Retail Finance business provides financing services, enabling consumers to make purchases through a range of flexible financial products and across a broad network of businesses and retailers.”

For more information on GE Capital Financial Services visit their website at www.gogecapital.com.

Johnny Lewis Hosting 2-Lap Charity Walk/Run at Springfield Mile on May 25 for March of Dimes

This coming weekend at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, one of the biggest races on the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season's schedule will roll out as the Springfield Mile I will bring fans to their feet with the stars of The Rolling Thunder Show hitting the track for the first mile event of the season.

But the day before, Johnny Lewis National #10 and a host of presenting sponsors will put on a very special walk/run around the mile oval track in order to help raise funds and support for the March of Dimes.  Lewis, his race and personal sponsors and a list of others will be bringing the 'Johnny Lewis 2-Lap Dash for March of Dimes' to help raise awareness for the March of Dime charity.

'JL10' as he is known to his fans will lead all entrants in this special event in a walk/run for 2 laps around the iconic Springfield Mile oval on Saturday, May 25 to kick off the action-packed weekend over the Memorial Day holiday.  A big handful of other riders, past and present, are also expected to take part, including current overall points leader Brandon Robinson, his TJ Burnett Farms part-time team mate, JD Beach, Brad Baker, and Chris Carr, just to name a few.

So if you are going to be attending the races at the Illinois State Fairgrounds over the weekend, including the Steve Nace All-Star AMA TT race being held at the Multipurpose Arena on Saturday, take time to join in the fun and help a cause that is very worthy and get a chance to hang out with some of the great and fun people associated with the greatest racing series on two wheels in the world.  You'll be sure to 'walk' or 'run' away with a big smile on your face and a good feeling knowing you are helping out a very worthy cause.

In the shot above, Lewis and his former Scott Powersports Kawasaki team roll-out at the Springfield Mile I on May 27, 2012 during rider intros for last season's first mile event.  Lewis can be seen beaming his endearing and always-present smile that fans of the sport have come to know and love from the Pennsylvania resident, which will surely be on-hand during his 2-lap charity event on Saturday.


Press release courtesy of Johnny Lewis and the Latus Motors Racing Triumph team.


Johnny Lewis Building Awareness to Make a Difference                              

JL10 to Host Charity Event Day before Springfield Mile
 

Coatesville, PA - May 21, 2013 - The "Springfield Mile", as it is known to many, has hosted competitive auto racing since 1910, making it one of the oldest speedways in the United States according to Wikipedia.  "Racing history wasn't only made here, it began here! (Illinois State Fairgrounds. Springfield, IL)", states Keares Renewable Energy rider Johnny Lewis.   "And I don't think everyone racing here today realizes the significance of Springfield and the sport of flat track history at this one place, The Springfield Mile".

As this year's 2013 IMDA Springfield Mile approaches in less than a week, Johnny Lewis will not only be racing his first AMA Pro Flat Track Springfield Mile with his all new Latus Motors Racing Triumph race team, he will also be hosting his very first charity event to raise awareness for March of Dimes - "working together for strong, healthier babies".  With the support of the IMDA, TJ Burnett Farms, and Keares Renewable Energy along with Latus Motors Racing Triumph, Johnny will host "The Johnny Lewis 2-Lap Dash for March of Dimes" taking place on the legendary Springfield Mile Saturday, May 25th.

"Yes, we are walking/running around the actual Springfield Mile the day before the fourth round of the AMA Pro Flat Track Championship event", said Lewis.

For this special event, rather than having over 8000 fans in the stands watching the racing, they get to hit the track running right alongside some of their favorite AMA Pro Flat Track racers. The current list of AMA Pro racers to attend includes your current points leader Brandon Robinson, Jake Johnson, Brad Baker, JD Beach, including many Pro Singles racers and even retired AMA Pro Flat Track Champions/race winners such as Chris Carr, Mike Hacker, and Joe Kopp -  to name a few.

Starting the weekend off early to promote the event as well as the cause and supporters, Johnny will be live on the Next Moto Champion Talk Show Thursday night.  Early Friday morning, Johnny will start his day in-studio for an interview with Springfield's Channel 20 ABC News Station, followed by a LIVE On-Air session with Liz Williams from 100.5 WYMG radio station around 7:45 a.m.  This will be followed up with a round of golf with some of Springfield's finest, continuing into the day with a trip to St. John's Children's Hospital, along with two of TJ Burnett Farm's team riders, to visit with and hand out some goodies to some amazing kids.  The day will conclude with the Latus Motors Racing/Keares Renewable Energy Triumph on display for a Meet & Greet at Boone's Saloon in Downtown Springfield, IL., where Johnny will be sharing information on his first ever charity event, along with handing out JL10 posters.

Saturday morning at 9am, the gates will open to enter the turn 3 & 4 tunnel to register/sign-in for "The Johnny Lewis 2-Lap Dash".  A $10 donation is required for basic registration to take part in the walk/run, or you may donate $25 instead and you'll also receive a JL10 March of Dimes event t-shirt! (Limited supply of t-shirts will be on hand).  ALL proceeds from this event will be donated to March of Dimes.  You can pre-register and secure a t-shirt at www.lewis10.com/2lapdash.  The walk/run (2-Lap Dash) will begin at 10 a.m. and will end well before the gates open up for the Springfield TT ALL-Star race at noon.

Register/sign in will be held at the Latus Motors Racing tents along with the Next Moto Champion trailer.

"Thanks to the support of the IMDA, TJ Burnett Farms, Keares Renewable Energy, and the Illinois State Fairgrounds, I will be able to bring a group of people from all over the country together for a wonderful cause.  To me it's about building awareness of what's going on around us and opening our eyes to see what other families are struggling with.  I want to help make a difference in any way I possibly can.", said AMA Pro Flat Track National #10, Johnny Lewis.

The Mansion View Inn & Suites Springfield, IL. is offering  a "JL10" promotion code for a regular double bed room, at a rate of $59 a night. http://www.mansionview.com.  Call to book a room and tell them JL10 sent you!  

Follow along the whole weekend at:
Facebook Fan Page 
https://www.facebook.com/lewis10

Instagram
@johnnylewis10

Watch: ABC 20 News Springfield on Friday morning
Listen: Thursday at 5PM PST, 7PM CST, 8PM EST http://www.nextmotochampion.com/next-moto-champion-talk-show
Listen: 100.5 Radio Springfield (7:45am)
Stop In: Friday Night @ Boone's Saloon 301 West Edwards, Springfield, IL (6pm)
Join: Saturday (9am registration, 10am START) Springfield Mile 2-Lap Dash -  Gate #6 / infield parking
  
Sign up for The Johnny Lewis 2-Lap Dash @
www.lewis10.com/2lapdash


*****In case of rain the night before/ morning of/ or during the walk scheduled time, we have a loop planned out on the outside of the Springfield Mile on pavement! *****
Got a question? Email @
JohnnyLewis10@live.com

Latus Motors Racing, Triumph Motorcycles, Keares Renewable Energy, Castrol Oil, Saddlemen Seats & Saddlebags, Freedom Road Financial, GE Capital, Wallace Trucking, Cafe Racer XXX, TJ Burnett Farms, Triple J Racing, Fat Boy Racing, Solid Performance, Arai Helmet, AXO USA, Smith Optics, RIDE Academy, KN Filters, Ringers Gloves, Wiseco, Impulse Graphics,  Secrets of Speed.

Brandon Robinson Maintains Lead in 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship With Solid 6th-Place Finish at Stockton Half-Mile

Brandon Robinson and the TJ Burnett Farms/USC/James Hart Racing Kawasaki team fought the good fight throughout the day at round 3 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season at the Stockton Half-Mile on May 11, good enough for a 6th-place finish in the National main, while holding on to the lead in the overall points championship.

The southern Illinois based team worked through adversity throughout the day with bike set-up, gearing and electrical issues on the team's EX650-based Twins Series mounts, and by the end of what was described as a 'very long day' by team owner TJ Burnett, BRob44 had worked his way into the top-6 after getting a poor start in the 25-lap National main held at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds last Saturday.

With round 4 of the season scheduled for the Springfield Mile I round on May 26, the team is ready to get settled into the meat of the 2013 season ahead.

In the shot above, Robinson walks alongside his bike as team owner Bill Werner rolls the #44 Werner-Springsteen Monster Energy Kawasaki out for rider intros at round 4 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season at the Springfield Mile I event, with co-owner and former 3-Time AMA Grand National Champion Jay Springsteen bringing up the rear.

The TJ Burnett Farms/USC/James Hart Racing Kawasaki EX650 Twins Series machines of then-rider Briar Bauman await the action ahead on the track during last season's round 4 at the Springfield Mile I at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, while team crew chief and head wrench, James Hart, talks with one of the team members.

Robinson's part-time team mate, JD Beach #95, will join the team next weekend at round 4 of the 2013 season on May 26.  Bauman is reportedly going to be riding for the Werner team at Springfield after splitting from the TJ Burnett Kawasaki team before mid-season of last year.

You can check out the full press release below from the Brandon Robinson TJ Burnett Farms Kawasaki team as we await one of the biggest racing weekend's in The Rolling Thunder Show on Memorial Day Sunday, May 26.

Brandon Robinson and the TJ Burnett Farms Kawasaki Twins Series team takes a strong 6th-place finish at the Stockton Half-Mile on May 11

 

 

 

 

 

 

Press release – For Immediate Release

Opdyke, IL. – May 17, 2013 – Stockton Half-Mile Report

Round 3 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season is in the record books, and the TJ Burnett Farms Kawasaki team with rider Brandon Robinson pulled-out all the stops to bring home a hard-earned 6^th place finish at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds-hosted event on May 11 for the first west coast event of the young season.

After a 5th-place finish and a win at the season-opening rounds of the season at the Daytona Short Track events, the first Twins Series event of the year proved to be a struggle that the TJ Burnett Farms team and rider Robinson handled with grace—or maybe that would be grease.

“The team worked really hard to get the bikes sorted out for me for the day,” stated Brandon, “as we had a fuel pump go out on us on the back-up bike, and we ended up having to do a lot of work on the 'A' bike to get it right for the National. I really have to thank the team, TJ, James Hart and Billy Gruwell for working so hard to get a set-up that we could use that would work for the track.

“We were kind of awful to start with and it made for a long day, and we got things much better by the time the 25-lap National main came around, “ continued Brandon.

Asked if he has been out in the fields helping team owner TJ Burnett getting his corn planted this week behind the wheel of one of the Burnett Farms big John Deere tractors, Robinson laughed and said, “I don't think he trusts me that much, unless it's on two wheels!

“We're all worn out after the long haul back, especially TJ, who did about 90% of the driving. We made it back to southern Illinois (the team's HQ) in about 32-34 hours, but I think TJ is 'jet-lagged' from all the driving—ha!,” said Robinson.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brandon Robinson's #44 TJ Burnett Farms/USC/James Hart Racing Kawasaki EX650 Twins Series machines sit in the pits at the Stockton Half-Mile on May 11. “Holy cow, at one point during the day, we had all three bikes torn apart trying to get things right for Brandon,” stated team owner Burnett. Photo courtesy of Tom Stein/Northwest Track Shots on Facebook.

“We mistakenly left the fuel pump running in the pit area on one of the bikes for about 15 minutes,” according to team owner TJ Burnett, “and that really cost us. James Hart and I were working our tails off to get things set-up for Brandon. Earlier we'd had a slight electrical problem we had to get taken care of (diagnosed as a faulty switch) and then the fuel pump problem. Wow, for awhile I wasn't sure if we were going to be able to get things ready in time.

“I have to hand it to Brandon, though, when it came time to race, he took us from the outhouse to the penthouse. He came off of turn 2 in the National in about 17^th place (out of the 18 riders that qualified for the main) and he worked his way up to 6^th place after the 25-lap main. He did a heckuva job for us,” continued Burnett, “especially as bunched-up as the field got after Jared Mees' near get-off. He did a super job of not crashing the Rogers Racing XR750, and it's something like that that shows you why he's the defending champion.

“We've got all new parts ordered and we'll be ready for Springfield next weekend. It was just an overlooked item on our part with the fuel pump switch. We won't let that happen again, “ stated Burnett.

“We signed a couple of new sponsors since our last race, “ stated Robinson. “Next Moto Champion and Matrix Race Products will be coming on board as of Springfield on May 26.”

Team owner and southern Illinois resident Burnett added, “We're scheduled to meet Next Moto Champion in Springfield next Thursday (May 23). They're helping us out with lettering, graphics and some additions to our tents in the pits. Matrix Race Products has helped us out with some new tool boxes and some race mats for our pit area, which will bring a nice, new shiny look to our pit area.”

After returning to the team's base, they went to work unloading all of the bikes and then loading up for this weekend's Steve Nace All-Star round in Little Rock, AR. This weekend's short track at the I-30 Speedway will see Brandon and team mate JD Beach #95 racing together again for the first time since the season openers in Georgia and Florida, but this time on the team's Singles machines, the TJ Burnett Farms/USC/James Hart Racing Kawasaki KX450Fs. Beach will also be contesting round 4 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season at the Springfield Mile I on May 26 on the team's Kawasaki EX650-based Twins mounts.

“We're all ready for Little Rock and it will be good to have JD along again in helping with the set-up on the bikes at Springfield, too, so that should make for a great event, “ continued Robinson, “we worked well together during the off-season and at the events leading up to Daytona.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brandon Robinson on the #44 TJ Burnett Farms/USC/James Hart Racing Kawasaki EX650 Twins Series mount is shown in action at round 3 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season at the Stockton Half-Mile on Saturday, May 11. Photo courtesy of Dave Hoenig/Flat Trak Fotos.com.

 

 

 

“I'd like to see us end up 1-2 at Springfield on Sunday, May 26, but I'm gonna let Brandon and JD work that out, as long as they don't wreck our equipment—ha,” stated Burnett in closing.

With Brandon's 6th-place finish on Saturday night, the team still holds the lead in the overall standings of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season with 55 points, seven points over 2nd-place in the championship hunt, Dodge Brothers Racing's Brad Baker (55-48) and Lloyd Brothers Motorsports' Henry Wiles in the 3rd-place spot (47 points) heading into round 4 of the season at the Springfield Mile I event over the Memorial Day Weekend on May 26.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brandon Robinson on the #44 TJ Burnett Farms Kawasaki leads fellow Pennsylvania resident Johnny Lewis on the #10 Latus Motors Racing Triumph during their battle in heat race #2 at the Stockton Half-Mile on Saturday, May 11. Lewis got the better of Brob44 in the heat with a 3rd-place finish to Brandon's 4th-place, but Robinson brought the Kawasaki home in the 6th-place spot in the 25-lap National main, while Lewis took home a 13th-place finish in the 18-rider National main event. Photo courtesy of Dave Hoenig/Flat Trak Fotos.com.

Unfortunately, the Steve Nace All-Star event originally scheduled to run in Little Rock, AR., has been canceled due to rain for this Saturday, May 18, so the team will take a needed rest before Springfield.

Please make sure when you attend any upcoming rounds of the races to come by and meet and greet the team during each event's fan walk, as we want to make sure that we can talk to as many fans as possible to show each and every one what we are doing and how much we appreciate their support of flat track racing.

Brandon Robinson #44 & the TJ Burnett Farms Kawasaki AMA Grand National Championship team would like to thank all of our sponsors for the 2013 season:

TJ Burnett Farms, USC Racing Kawasaki, James Hart, Arai, Next Moto Champion, ATI Physical Therapy, Penske Racing Shocks, AXO, Saddlemen, Protect All, Pro Plates, ISC Racers Tape, Motion Pro, Southland, Matrix Race Products, Race Tech, Lemonds Kawasaki, WKR, Mr. Sign, Bill Built, Royal Publishing, VC Graphix, DAOapparel.com, PMP Sprockets, Spectro Oils, CP Pistons, G2 Ergonomics, Works Connection, K&N, Hartman Photography, Mitchell Mechanical, J&H Repair, Big Dawg Racing, Ricko, Jim Chapman, Tom Scibek, Joe Reynolds, John Y, Mom & Dad

2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season schedule: http://www.amaproracing.com/ft/events/

2013 Steve Nace Racing All-Star AMA National Flat Track Series presented by Golden Tyre season schedule: http://www.stevenaceracing.com/allstar.html

You can follow Brandon Robinson, the 2008 AMA Pro Flat Track Expert Twins Champion here via his official website: http://brandonrobinson44.com/

Or via his Twitter account:https://twitter.com/BRob44

Or via Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/BrandonRobinsonRacing

Press release prepared by: Mike Stuhler/Stu's Shots/Indianapolis, IN 46234 (317) 373-0522

 

 

http://stusshots.blogspot.com/

stuman714@yahoo.com

AMA Pro Flat Track: Weirbach Racing's Rob Pearson Gets Solid 5th-Place Finish at Stockton Half-Mile

During the off-season late in 2012, Morton, Illinois resident Rob Pearson made the move to the Weirbach Racing team, the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Pro Singles Champions with rider Mikey Martin, for the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season.  Scheduled to ride the team's XR750, Suzuki SV650 and soon-to-be Kawasaki EX650-based Twins Series mounts, the new season ahead was looking to be a big move for the veteran racer.

Moving ahead several months, the team competed in their first Twins Series event together last weekend in round 3 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season at the Stockton Half-Mile on May 11.  Although the team's new Kawasaki wasn't ready yet for action on the small half-mile track at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds, the team's XR750 was, and Bugs Pearson brought the team's entry home to a very solid 5th-place finish last Saturday night.

Pearson also made the Dash for Cash event, collecting an extra valuable point towards the championship with a 5th-place, after bringing the team's mount home into the 2nd-place spot in heat race #2 behind defending 2012 AMA Grand National Champion Jared Mees.

This is a great start to the season for the Weirbach Racing team and new rider Pearson, and we congratulate them on an outstanding result.  You can read the team's full press release below as they get ready to head to round 4 of the season at the Springfield Mile I round on May 26.

In the shot above, Pearson and the #27 Memphis Shades/Yamaha/Wiseco/K&N-backed team roll their XR750 out for rider intros at round 4 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season at the Springfield Mile on May 27.


Press release courtesy of Weirbach Racing, the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Pro Singles Champions

Ottumwa, Iowa -- May 16, 2013

Rob Pearson race report from Stockton, Ca.

Well we just made it back to the midwest from the long journey out west.  It
was the first twins Grand National of the year.  The many miles of travel to
Stockton, Ca. ended up to be worth it as we had some good results on the
west coast. 

On the way out to Stockton we found out about Chowchilla, CA. running a
3/8's mile on Friday night before the GNC race.  Mike King from KDM Forest
Products supplied the team with a great running 450 Suzuki so we didn't have
to sit out and watch the fun.

The bike worked great and I won my heat.  After a less than great start in the main,
I ended the night second and had a lot of fun.  Thanks again for the ride Mike.

Saturday for the GNC in Stockton was a nice warm day and the
Weirbach/General Engineering Harley was running spot on.  We ended up
qualifying 5th which was good enough for the second starting spot in heat
two.

Rob Pearson on the #27 Weirbach Racing/KDM Forest Products-sponsored XR750 is shown during one of the qualifying sessions at the Stockton Half-Mile on May 11.  Photo courtesy of Weirbach Racing by Dave Hoenig/Flat Trak Fotos.com.


I got off the line well and battled with last years Grand National Champion
Jared Mees for the number one spot but had to settle for second.  That was
good enough for the front row of the main and in the dash for cash which is
exactly where we wanted to be.

Rob 'Bugs' Pearson on the #27 Weirbach Racing H-D XR750 battles with defending 2012 AMA Grand National Champion Jared Mees on the #1 Rogers Racing XR during heat race #2 action at round 3 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season at the Stockton Half-Mile.  Photo courtesy of Weirbach Racing by Mitch Friedman.


In the main event I got another good start and put the Harley down low on the blue
groove, but finally found the line was faster just off the rubber and raced with
Jake Johnson and Henry Wiles for most of the race.  We ended up 5th which was
a great start to our twins season.  The new team is jelling well and we have moved
up to tie for 7th in the overall points standings.

I have to thank everyone for the help this year, especially Weirbach Racing and
KDM Forest Products for a great first trip out west.  

Special thanks to all our sponsors:

General Engineering, Barnett, Spectro, DynoJet, K&N, Saddlemen, Works
Connection, , PMP Sprockets, Motion Pro, Spider Grips, Durelle Racing,
Cheney Engineering, G2 Ergonomics, All Balls Racing, Firecoat Custom
Powderworks, CP Pistons and Carrillo Rods, Web Cams, Foudree's Graphics,
Sunoco, Pro Wheel, Supertrapp, TNT Harley Davidson, Regina Chain, Factory
Backing, Pit Posse, Cosmetic Gaskets, The Baggots, PMC, ProFactoryHoses.com,
Engine Ice, Chicken Hawk Racing, White lightning Retrievers, R&R, Grandprix,
Shoei, Lightshoe, Country Saloon, Paint by Smokey, Racing Unlimited,
Needa-website.com

#27 Rob Pearson

Weirbach Racing's Official Website

AMA Pro Flat Track Round 3 Review as Halbert, Baker and Wiles Go 1-2-3 at Stockton Half-Mile, Maguire Gets First-Ever Win in J&P Cycles Pro Singles Series

Sammy Halbert had a grin on his face last Saturday as big as the one in the shot above after taking the win at round 3 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season at the Stockton Half-Mile.  Halbert, in his return to the track after off-season injuries and surgery, led 10 laps in the 25-lap National main to card his first win of the season on his #7 South East H-D XR750.

Sammy talks about that win here after leading Brad Baker and Henry Wiles home to the podium at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds event.

In the shot above, Sammy and his team roll out his #7 South East H-D XR750 at the Springfield Mile I on May 27, round 4 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, while talking with Johnny Lewis and a the Scott Powersports team.

With his win last Saturday, Sammy vaulted himself into the 9th-place spot in the overall championship standings for the season after missing both of the season-opening rounds at Daytona on March 14-15.

Brad 'The Bullet' Baker, the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Saddlemen Rookie of the Year, finished just over .9 seconds behind Sammy after a spirited battle in the National main last Saturday at Stockton for his third 2nd-place finish of the still-young 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season.  Riding the Dodge Brothers Racing XR750, Baker led 15 laps in the 25-lap main to take the extra point for most laps led on the evening, and now sits just seven points behind series leader Brandon Robinson heading to the Springfield Mile I Memorial Day Weekend round.

Brad talks about his run at Stockton here and his battle with fellow Washington State resident Sammy during the main.

In the shot above from round 10 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship, The Bullet rolls out for the final qualifying session at the Indy Mile on the #12 Dodge Brothers/Atherton Family-backed XR on August 18.

Henry Wiles on the Lloyd Brothers Motorsports/Ramspur Winery-backed XR750 took the final spot on the podium last Saturday with his first ride on the Brent Armbruster-prepped mount, and the first time that the LBM team has fielded an XR750 in Twins Series competition in the last several seasons, at least.  With his 3rd-place finish at Stockton, Hammerin' Hank moved into the 3rd-place spot in the overall standings for the 2013 season after the series first three rounds.

Henry talks about his run in the 25-lap National main here.

In the shot above from round 4 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season at the Springfield Mile I round on May 27, the LBM team goes to work on the steering damper on the team's #17 Lloyd Brothers Motorsports/Ramspur Winery-sponsored Italian 'L twin, which has been the team's staple the last several seasons.  Dave Lloyd, the team's co-owner, stated a couple of weeks ago that they were making the XR750 available to 'go where the money is' for this season, especially on the half-mile venues that encompass five rounds of the series calendar this year.

Dave Hoenig, the official photographer for AMA Pro Flat Track, and the owner/operator of Flat Trak Fotos.com, filed this race report with Cycle News in this week's issue on the Stockton Half-Mile.

Cory Texter, National #65 filed this report with Next Moto Champion Magazine in his new job as flat track editor for the magazine.

Defending 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Champion Jared Mees had an off-night in the National main at Stockton, and had the save of the night in almost-crashing out during the final.

Full results for round 3 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season are here.

Wyatt Maguire on the #18M Pro1RacingHead.com/Shortblock Charlies-sponsored Honda CRF450R chases Jake Cunningham on the #94L Arai Helmets/Certainted Products-backed Yamaha YZ450F during the final AMA Pro Singles Championship Series qualifying session at the Springfield Short Track on September 15, in round 12 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Pro Singles Championship Series. 

Maguire won his first-ever event last Saturday in round 3 of the 2013 AMA Pro J&P Cycles Pro Singles Championship Series season at the Stockton Half-Mile, leading Shayna Texter and Daytona Short Track winner Kyle Johnson home on the podium.  Check out what he had to say after winning his cherry-breaking series win here.

You can check out the full press release below thanks to AMA Pro Flat Track, as we get geared up for round 4 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season as the stars of The Rolling Thunder Show head to the Springfield Mile I event on May 26.

Halbert, Maguire Shine at Inaugural Stockton-Half Mile

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 14, 2013) - For the first time in 2013, the fire breathing twin cylinder beasts of the AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Championship made their way onto the race track.  The Championship visited the brand new 99 Speedway located in Stockton, California at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds.  The new venue proved to be very racy as multiple lines afforded three and four wide racing all night long.

 

The twenty-five lap Grand National Main Event saw many lead changes as Washington neighbors Brad Baker and Sammy Halbert thrilled the crowd with their "no holds barred" battle.  "They had just watered the track which was great to see," said the South East Harley-Davidson backed Halbert. " They took some initiative to prep the track before we went out there for the main event so we could put on a better show.  I bumped into him (Baker) one time and I was right beside him a couple times coming down the front straightaway.  I was kind of going off the edge of the track and spinning my tire. I was fighting for that last piece of real estate.  I think it made a great show for the fans to show that kind of aggression for the lead."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In his first return to the track after off-season injuries and surgery, Sammy Halbert on the #7 South East H-D XR750 pulled off the win at round 3 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season at the Stockton Half-Mile on May 11.  AMA Pro Flat Track photo by Dave Hoenig.

 

 

"It feels good.  You can't complain about second as it's always a good finish," said Baker (Dodge Brothers Racing).  "It has been pretty consistent with me right now. I've had three races and had three seconds. It is just a trend of leading about 20 laps and getting it taken away from me with about five to go.  Sammy rode an awesome race.  We had a good battle the whole time," added Baker.  "We were close at the beginning.  I felt myself gap him a little bit and I started feeling him there a little bit at the end."

 

After leading the first two laps, Halbert gave way to Baker, but continued to challenge as they raced back and forth.  "Brad came by me and I know he was hungry for a win. I thought to myself, 'Let's see if I can steal another one from him.'  He was right there and I didn't want to be the guy who gave him that first win so I had to dig deep," said Halbert.  "I was getting tired and he was starting to pull away and I started thinking about that big Harley-Davidson contingency and I was like, 'I want that money.  Let's go!  I got on the gas, found a line on the outside there in turn three and four and made it happen. It took me a while to get around Brad," said Halbert.

 

"He studied me the whole time and tested some things.  He found something there on the last five laps and made it happen," said Baker.  "It's pretty cool. He got to take it from me. It's just a Washington deal.  I think it is cool that we get to race like that.  I am hoping that when I finally get that first win that maybe Sammy will be there battling with me.  I've had three seconds and am doing well in the points.  It is a big goal of mine to stay consistent."

 

Halbert was able to finally secure the lead for good on lap twenty and pulled to nearly a one second lead on the last lap.  That was the largest lead of the race.  The win marked Halbert's return to racing action for the first time since suffering a knee injury over the winter that required surgery.  That was a pretty good way to come back to racing. It's been a while," said Halbert.  "I haven't ridden a bike much.  I've just been training and doing a lot of exercising. I've been really focused lately and working hard.  I think it's paying off.  I got the holeshot, which was awesome."

 

The leaders had gapped what turned into a great race over third.  Jake Johnson (Zanotti Racing/Harley-Davidson), Rob Pearson (Weirbach Racing/Harley-Davidson), Henry Wiles (Lloyd Brothers Motorsports/Harley-Davidson) and Mikey Martin (Bonneville Performance/Triumph) were in tight formation until Johnson and Wiles were able to pull a small lead over Pearson.  Wiles was able to nail down the last podium spot on lap 22.  "It was just that there were so many things that were kind of new. It was a bike that had never even hit the track before today," said Wiles.  "That is how new everything was.  To end up finishing third was a great night.  You can't shake a stick at that.  I think we might have been able to run the pace of those guys up front.  I didn't even get in front of Jake until the five to go.  Fourth even would have been a good night for us.  Getting on the box makes it that much more for the team and everybody involved."

 

Johnson was able to hold on to fourth over Pearson, while AMA Pro Racing Grand National point leader Brandon Robinson (TJ Burnett/USC Kawasaki) clawed his way up to sixth.  Harley-Davidson Motor Company's Kenny Coolbeth came all the way from last to a finish in a solid seventh place on his Harley-Davidson.  Doug Lawrence (R&J Racing/Harley-Davidson), fast qualifier Jeffrey Carver Jr. (Kiesow Racing/Harley-Davidson) and Martin rounded out the top ten.

 

The New 99 Speedway (a recently constructed 3/8 mile clay oval) sits inside the big mile oval at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds.  Because the track uses no part of the mile, there are virtually no barriers around the racing surface.  This played a big part in turning what potentially would have been a catastrophe into simply a very bad night of racing for defending Grand National Champion Jared Mees (Rogers Racing/Harley-Davidson) when he slid off the groove early on.  "I got an ok start then I was coming into turn three and Wiles ran around on the outside," said Mees.  "He got a little bit of a bike length on me and right as I was coming up underneath him, he spun it sideways bad, and when it came back in line I was right there. It was almost the hardest high side.  I don't know how I didn't crash.  If there would have been a wall there I would have been done.  I went out on the mile straightaway and came back in. I was pretty shaken up about it really.  That was really like having my life flash before my eyes kind of thing. It was really disappointing because we really felt like we were on a good roll.  You just have pick yourself up and keep going forward."

 

Brandon Robinson continues to lead the AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Championship points race, but Brad Baker is just seven back with Henry Wiles and Jake Johnson within ten points of the lead.

AMA Pro J&P Cycles Pro Singles

 

Crowd favorite Shayna Texter (Crosley Radio, Howerton Motorsports/Honda CRF450R) dove to the bottom of turn two on the first lap of the sixteen lap AMA Pro J&P Cycles Pro Singles main event and took the lead from Rodney Spencer Jr. (GP Sports, 831 Pinnit/Honda CRF450R), but yet another Washington hot shoe, Wyatt Maguire (Kirkland Racing, Pro1racingheads.com/Honda CRF450R) made quick work of both and took off.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wyatt Maguire took the #18M Kirkland Racing Honda CRF450R to his first-ever win in the AMA Pro J&P Cycles Pro Singles Championship Series at the Stockton Half-Mile on Saturday, May 11.  AMA Pro Flat Track photo by Dave Hoenig.

 

 

With Maguire pulling to nearly a five second lead, all eyes were focused on the scramble that was going on just behind Texter. Spencer Jr., Bronson Bauman (Rod Lake, RGR, Hooper Motorsports/Honda CRF450R), Kyle Johnson (DAO Apparel, X-Trim/Kawasaki KX450F), Cole Frederickson (AXO Sport/Honda CRF450R) and Hunter Taylor (Hunter Manufacturing) were all trying to occupy the same real estate.

 

Maguire's smooth ride propelled him to his first win in the Pro Singles class.  "I won my first AMA Pro Singles race. It feels pretty good," said Maguire.  "It was definitely tough getting through the field but we ended up changing gears and it helped a lot.  It feels incredible to pull off my first ever victory here in Stockton.  I need to thank my family and all of my sponsors, without them I would never have the opportunity to experience something like this." 

 

Kyle Johnson backed up his Daytona win with another podium appearance, passing Spencer Jr. on lap 11 and leading the large swarm to the finish line.  Johnson and Maguire are co-leaders in the AMA Pro J&P Cycles Pro Singles point standings.  Frederickson, Taylor, Bauman, Ryan Kearns (Stockton Moto/Honda CRF450R), Ryan Wells (Waters Auto Body/Honda CRF450R) and defending series champion Stephen Vanderkuur (Parkinson Brothers Racing/Honda CRF450R) filled out the top ten.

 

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