Stu's Shots R Us: January 2012

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

AMA Pro Flat Track Sees Motorcycle-Superstore.com Return For 3rd Year as Title Sponsor for '12 Pro Singles Championship

One of the most popular venues on the AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstores.com Series season is the annual trek to the Peoria TT in late August. For fans, riders, teams and sponsors alike, the late summer stop at the oldest continual date on the series' schedule brings out the best (and worst) of conditions for the series' competitors fighting to make that solid year-end run in the championship standings.

The 2011 version was no different in the AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles Championship, with points leader (and eventual champ) Mikey Martin ready to fight it out with championship rivals Mikey Avila, Gerit Callies and a handful of young riders looking to make their mark in the series before (hopefully) moving up to the Expert ranks.

As heat one gets the green flag and roars through turn one at the legendary facility, it is never more present in the look of the shot above at what is and could be at stake for these young riders in the feeder series for the AMA Grand National Championship. In it's third year of existence, the AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles Championship again showed that the competition is never far behind, breathing down your back and ready to pounce like a tiger in heat.

Leading this pack of Pro Singles riders at the front of the field is Stephen Vankerkuur on the #10J Mack Daddy Racing/TCR/Boughner Racing/DFW Honda-sponsored Honda CRF450R, battling with Rodney Spencer, Jr. on the #74Z Hooper Motorsports/Rod Lake/TC Plumbing/Shift-backed Honda to see who makes it to the jump first on the backside of the Peoria outdoor arena. Dustin Cassidy on the #41P Cassidy Racing/Illinois Harley/Kenny Barth/Hot Rods-sponsored Honda tries to keep them honest closely behind.

Briar Bauman on the #10Z Rod Lake Racing/Browns Cycles/Lazer Racing/Gene & Gail Cummings-backed Honda follows, with Andrew Smith on the #84P TNT Harley-Davidson/Parts Unlimited-sponsored Honda close inside. Jake Cunningham on the #94L Arai Helmets/Certainted Products/No Fear/Best Builders-sponsored Yamaha YZ450F and Nick Daniels on the #32P FRA/Adam Cobb/Woody Kyle/Arai-backed Honda battle at the rear.

As announced today from AMA Pro Flat Track, Motorcycle-Superstore.com will return as the title sponsor for the Pro Singles Championship and the presenting sponsor for the overall series for the third year in a row, and will be bringing along another $25K in year-end championship payout money to the competitors in the Pro Singles Series for the 2012 season. Along with their sponsorship of AMA Pro Road Racing's SuperSport Series, Motorcycle-Superstore.com is proving again to be a great sponsor for both series, and it is great to see them return again for another run.

A big thanks goes out to Motorcycle-Superstore.com for jumping back onboard with AMA Pro Flat Track for the title sponsorship for the Pro Singles Championship and for their presenting sponsorship for the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com Series. It's companies like these that keep the action going strong in The Rolling Thunder Show and provides some incentive to the riders to provide the fans with the best racing on wheels in the world.

You can read the full press release below thanks to AMA Pro Flat Track.
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Motorcycle-Superstore.com Renews $25,000 Year-End Pro Singles Points Fund and Returns as 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Presenting Sponsor

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 31, 2012) - As a follow up to last week's announcement by AMA Pro Racing regarding an extension of Motorcycle-Superstore.com's title sponsorship of the AMA Pro Road Racing SuperSport division, officials announced today that Motorcycle-Superstore.com has also renewed their partnership with AMA Pro Flat Track. The new contract names Motorcycle-Superstore.com as the Official Motorcycle Online Retail Store of AMA Pro Flat Track and presenting sponsor of the AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship and title sponsor of the AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles division.

The 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track season will mark the third consecutive year of Motorcycle-Superstore.com sponsorship and with the company's renewed support, AMA Pro Racing will once again distribute more than $25,000 to riders in the form of a year-end points fund.

"We are very proud of the close partnership that has grown between AMA Pro Racing and Motorcycle-Superstore.com since they first began their involvement with AMA Pro Flat Track in 2010," said David Atlas, Chief Operating Officer of AMA Pro Racing. "The support and dedication that the company has shown to the rising stars in the Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles division through the year-end points fund is vital to the growth of the sport and is deeply appreciated by the entire paddock."

As part of the agreement, Motorcycle-Superstore.com will have an expanded online presence in AMA Pro Racing's website content and social media initiatives. Several lucky fans have already received Motorcycle-Superstore.com gift cards for winning sweepstakes held on AMA Pro Flat Track's official Facebook page, and the two companies will be working together throughout the year to find new and creative ways to give back to fans.

"Flat Track is hands down, the best racing on the planet," explains Tim Clark, Director of Sports Marketing for Motorcycle-Superstore.com. "The 2011 season produced some historic moments, including Shayna Texter becoming the first female rider to win an AMA Pro Grand National Flat Track race. Championships came down to the wire with titles determined at the last round of the series. For true Flat Track fans, it was a great year and we're excited about another action-packed season in 2012."

Following a thrilling 2011 season that came down to the final race of the year, Mikey Martin took home the top spot in the Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles standings and the $10,000 that came along with it. For the 2012 season, the $25,000 payout for the Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles Year-End Points Fund will be the same, guaranteeing that riders will still be battling it out when the series rolls into Pomona to close out the year.

The pay structure for the award follows:

1st place, $10,000;

2nd place, $5,000;

3rd place, $4,000;

4th place, $3,000;

5th place, $2,000;

6th place, $1,000

The 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track season will kick off as part of the historic Daytona 200 Week. The AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com Expert Singles and AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles divisions take to the track in a set of one-day events on March 15 and 16, 2012 at the DAYTONA Flat Track, located just outside of the Daytona International Speedway's east banking. For tickets, please visit http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.

About Motorcycle-Superstore.com:

Motorcycle-Superstore.com is the #1 online retailer of motorcycle and powersports gear, accessories, parts and apparel in the United States. With well over a decade of experience serving the needs of riders of every style, Motorcycle-Superstore.com is constantly improving the shopping experience by providing the largest selection of motorcycle and powersports equipment from the most trusted brands in the industry, at the guaranteed lowest prices. Whether you ride street, dirt, dual-sport, ATVs, scooters, watercraft or snowmobiles, when you think gear, think Motorcycle-Superstore.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

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Monday, January 30, 2012

AMA Pro Flat Track Announces Return of Harley-Davidson Insurance as Title Sponsor for 2012 AMA Grand National Championship Series Season

Riders and team members gather in the pit area along with their machines for the start of the National main event at round 16 of the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com Series at the Springfield Mile II on September 4. With three heat races and two semi races in the books, 18 riders have qualified for what is considered the biggest race on the calendar in the AMA Grand National Championship at the Illinois State Fairgrounds mile oval.

With just minutes to go before the stars of The Rolling Thunder Show line them up to do battle at over 130 mph, Kenny Coolbeth, Jr.'s #2 Harley-Davidson Motor Co/Screamin' Eagle/Spectro Oils/Fox-sponsored factory H-D XR750 sits at the ready with one of the team members, along with Jared Mees' #9 Rogers Lake Racing/Blue Springs/Screamin' Eagle/Lucas Oil-backed XR. Sammy Halbert's #7 Kings Kustoms/White's H-D/LZ Racing/KK Supply-sponsored XR sits as his team adds the finishing touches, while Slammin' Sammy talks with one of Johnny Lewis' #10 Scott Powersports/Dubach Racing Developments/Saddlemen/Triple J Racing-sponsored Kawasaki team members.

Also seen in this shot are eventual event winner Willie McCoy's #59 H-D of Wausau XR (left rear of shot) and Matt Weidman #20 who can be seen between Halbert and Lewis' machine in the background.

While the first Twins Series event is still almost four months away (May 27 at the Springfield Mile I), the announcement today that Harley-Davidson Insurance will be returning to the 2012 AMA Grand National Championship Series as the title sponsor for the 19 race season is great news for the sport. And as they did last year, the H-D Insurance group will also be kicking in $100K for the year-end championship payout.

But you don't have to wait until May to see the great racing in The Rolling Thunder Show, as the season kicks off in Daytona Beach on March 15-16 with rounds 1 & 2 in the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com Series. The official kick off to the season is a double header round of some great Singles Series action at the new Daytona Short Track.

A big thank you to the Harley-Davidson Insurance folks for returning to the greatest racing series on wheels in the world!
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Harley-Davidson Insurance Returns as Title Sponsor of AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship in Renewal with AMA Pro Racing

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 30, 2012) - Officials from AMA Pro Racing and Harley-Davidson Insurance announced today an extension of their existing partnership, which names Harley-Davidson Insurance as the Official Insurance of AMA Pro Flat Track and title sponsor of the AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com and the premier AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Expert division. As part of the sponsorship agreement and in support of the star athletes of the Grand National Championship, Harley-Davidson Insurance will once again offer up $100,000 in rider bonus awards.

"Harley-Davidson Insurance has been an exceptional partner and we are proud to have such a strong association with one of the most admired names in motorcycling," said David Atlas, Chief Operating Officer of AMA Pro Racing. "The long history that the Harley-Davidson Motor Company has with AMA Pro Flat Track is recognized and respected by all of our fans and riders. The generous Harley-Davidson Insurance Bonus Awards ensure that the AMA Pro Flat Track grids will continue to be filled with some of the finest motorcycle-racing talent on the planet."

The partnership between the two companies allows each brand to capitalize on the long and storied history between the Harley-Davidson Motor Company and the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship. When the series debuted in 1954, Harley-Davidson riders set the bar by winning 13 out of the year's 18 races, and since then the highly-respected brand has gone on to claim countless wins and manufacturer championships. The charismatic athletes and high-intensity action of AMA Pro Flat Track has long attracted a dedicated and brand-loyal fan base, which provides a perfect platform for at-track and in-market activation opportunities.

As part of the new agreement, the Harley-Davidson Insurance brand will be prominently displayed at each AMA Pro Flat Track round, and the company will have access to display space in the paddock and special incentives for H.O.G.® members and authorized Harley® dealers. The agreement also allows for the use of series marks for Harley-Davidson Insurance products, promotional and advertising materials including items such as brochures, print advertising, direct mail, press releases and online marketing initiatives.

"The AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship has been a staple in the motorcycle community for more than 50 years, so this partnership is a great fit for us," said Eduardo Bravo, Vice President of Marketing at Harley-Davidson Financial Services. "We're looking forward to another great year of racing with the fantastic fans and riders who represent the sport so well."

To be eligible for the Harley-Davidson Insurance Bonus Awards, each Expert-level rider must display a Harley-Davidson Insurance patch on his or her riding gear and the official AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance series sponsorship logo on their front number plate during all Expert Singles and Twins events.

On behalf of AMA Pro and Harley-Davidson Insurance, any of the unused Harley-Davidson Insurance Bonus Award money will be donated to the flat track portion of the Roadracing World Action Fund, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization with a mission of reducing racetrack injuries by advocating and promoting the use of soft barriers, like Air Fence. Additional information about the $100,000 Harley-Davidson Insurance Bonus Awards will be released in the coming months.

About Harley-Davidson Insurance Services

Harley-Davidson Insurance Services, Inc. offers Harley-Davidson® motorcycle riders best-in-class coverage and protection designed specifically for them. H-D® Insurance Services also offers insurance coverage for personal and commercial automobiles and trucks, recreational vehicles, boats, and homes. Harley-Davidson Insurance products are underwritten by The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies. For more information, visit www.h-dinsurance.com or call (866) 753-2975.

For additional information contact:

AMA Pro Racing Communications, (386) 492-1014, communications@amaproracing.com

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AMA Pro Racing Signs Cardo Systems' scala rider Brand as Official Communications System for 2012 Season

scala rider Named Official Motorcycle Helmet Bluetooth Communications System of AMA Pro Road Racing and AMA Pro Flat Track

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 26, 2012) - AMA Pro Racing and Cardo Systems, Inc., the world's market leader in wireless Bluetooth® communications for motorcycle helmet headsets, today announced an exclusive agreement naming scala rider as the Official Motorcycle Helmet Bluetooth Communications System of AMA Pro Road Racing and AMA Pro Flat Track for the 2012 season. Cardo Systems' scala rider line of Bluetooth devices are some of the most advanced and feature-rich communication systems available, and the new agreement provides for many consumer and marketing activation opportunities aimed at exposing AMA Pro fans to the company's high-quality product line.

The agreement designates Cardo Systems as an exclusive partner of AMA Pro Road Racing and AMA Pro Flat Track and provides in-market and promotional rights to utilize the series marks at the racetrack, in retail outlets and in related media. As part of the agreement, Cardo Systems will have an opportunity to establish an on-site activation plan at each event to promote their latest product offerings to the many brand-loyal race fans in attendance. Additionally, Cardo Systems' products will be showcased in a series of product reviews and giveaways sweepstakes on AMA Pro Racing's website and official social media channels.

Although there is no competition component to the partnership, as a show of support to the AMA Pro Road Racing and AMA Pro Flat Track riders, the agreement calls for a year-end rider award program that AMA Pro Racing will name after Cardo Systems. Additional information about the rider award program will be released in the coming months.

"Cardo Systems is known for producing high-quality products with cutting-edge technology, and we are very excited to have them as a partner," said David Atlas, COO of AMA Pro Racing. "The new support that Cardo Systems will be offering AMA Pro riders as part of the year-end award demonstrates that the company shares our desire to give back to the paddock."

"We're proud to partner with a great organization like AMA Pro Racing," said Abraham Glezerman, CEO of Cardo Systems, Inc. "We look forward to connecting with AMA Pro Racing fans at upcoming events and to working with the entire AMA Pro Racing team to make the rider award program a success."

About Cardo Systems, Inc.:

Cardo Systems, Inc., headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, has specialized in the innovation, design, development, manufacturing and sale of state-of-the-art communication and entertainment systems for motorcycle helmets since 2003. Cardo Systems' scala rider line of headsets, now available in over 50 countries is the world's best selling Bluetooth system for the motorcycle industry. For more information call (412) 788-4533, or learn more at www.cardosystems.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

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Saturday, January 28, 2012

ICE Speedway 2012 Round 4 Round-Up From 'The Big One' in Bloomington, IL.

Round 4 of the 2012 ICE Speedway Series at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington, IL. saw a turnout of 18 riders show up to do battle in the Manufacturers Cup Bike class, in the return to the central Illinois arena that the series' competitors label 'The Big One.' With space at a premium in the pit area, riders and team members-alike work closely with one another throughout the evening's events in prepping their machines for the upcoming racing. #27 Rob 'Bugs' Pearson's Yamaha, #18 Derek Hersh's Kawasaki, #99 Tom McGrane's Kawasaki (partially hidden), #1 Jared Mees' Honda and #15 Kirk Cheney's Honda all sit ready for battle.
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Jared Mees sits on his #1 Honda during the victory circle ceremonies at round 4 of 2012 ICE Speedway Series after winning his fourth main event of the year. Mees has swept the series' events this year with one round remaining in the 2012 schedule slated for February 4 in Johnstown, PA. The Glens Falls, NY round was canceled after the schedule was announced in early December 2011. The ICE Series is celebrating 36 seasons of hosting indoor ice racing across the United States.
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Jay Maloney #21, Austin Greenland #31 and AMA Pro Flat Track regular #44 Brandon Robinson roll out for heat 1 of the Manufacturers Cup Bike class. Tom McGrane (not shown) would take the first heat win over Greenland, Maloney and Robinson to get the action started for the evening.
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ICE Speedway introduces each of the riders for the evening, and their opening ceremonies are 'WWE'-like in their light show, announcing and music areas while also getting the crowd fired-up as well. Jared Mees, the 3-Time and defending ICE Speedway Series Manufacturers Cup Bike Champion is announced to the house to a rousing ovation.
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Mees #1 leads Brandon Bergen #26 and Dan Ingram #16 during the 10th and final heat of the evening at Bloomington's round 4 ICE event. Ingram was running Mark Cheza's #16, as his own #22 mount wouldn't fire for the heat race.
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Bryan McKenna #19 leads Mark Cheza #16, Jake Mataya #29 and Brandon Bergen #26 during heat 3 action. Mataya would triumph over McKenna, Cheza and Bergen in this one.
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Dan Ingram's #22 Honda sits in the pits before the action kicks off at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum round in Bloomington, IL. on January 21, 2012. Ingram's father Sam (center), himself a former AMA Flat Track regular, talks with Jeff Gordon of Speedway Engine Development in Indianapolis. Gordon is a long-time fan of flat track racing and also helps to sponsor Dan's efforts. Speedway Engines develops the motors for the Indy Lights program as well as for Kasey Kahne's USAC Sprint and Midget teams.
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Sam Wiggins #56 leads Austin Greenland #31, Tom McGrane #99 and Ben Knight #85 during heat 7 of the evening's events in Bloomington. Greenland would come out on top over Wiggins, McGrane and Knight. Wiggins was doing double-duty while also racing in the Unlimited Outlaw Quads class.
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The Unlimited Outlaw Quads take to the ice inside the U.S. Cellular Coliseum on January 21, with #29 Todd McGuire leading Kevin Smith #33, Dusty Crouch #144 and Bryce Allen #16 in heat one.
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Dusty Crouch's #144 Honda Unlimited Outlaw Quad sits in the pit area ready to go at round 4 of the 2012 ICE Speedway Series season at Bloomington's U.S. Cellular Coliseum.
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Mandy 'The Wild Child' Brodil gets ready to roll out for heat 3 of the night in the Outlaw Quads class. Brodil, the 4-Time and defending World ICE Quad Champion, was the night's biggest star at Bloomington in the Quads Series, drawing a large round of applause each time she took to the track. She won this heat over Brennon Frazier #17 (shown entering at rear of shot), Chuck Calvert #61 and Brandon Davis #36.
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The LCQ race for the Unlimited Outlaw Quads saw Mandy Brodil #1 try to get the inside line out of turn 2 on the first lap over the rest of the field. After winning both of her heats, she would finish a strong 3rd in the LCQ event to earn her place in the Quad main.

'The Wild Child' would suffer a wild get-off during the main event race, which would see her quad leap into the infield of the track and ultimately spit her off of the highside. What looked like a nasty result ended with her trying to remount to finish the race, but not being able to restart her machine, even after help from several competitors including Cup Champ Jared Mees. They did finally get it going, but was ruled ineligible after it went past the two-minute mark to get it back on the starting line.

Things got a little ugly with the paying crowd, who the majority of felt she deserved to be able to re-start. Someone in the crowd then tossed a plastic beer bottle on the track protesting the call, with thankfully no one getting hit by it. ICE Series officials went by the rules, which even Brodil mentioned on her Facebook and Twitter pages was 'fair' per the call. No word on if the idiot that tossed the bottle was found and removed from the evening's final events.

Unfortunately, Brodil was admitted to her local hospital mid-week for tests as a result of the accident, but was said to be recovering after returning home and was looking forward to tying up her 5th ICE Quad Championship in Pennsylvania next weekend.

Also in action in this LCQ shot are Brennon Frazier #17 (the eventual winner of the LCQ race), Drew Bergquist #7 (2nd in LCQ), Ryan Jensen #161 (4th in LCQ and eventual Quad main winner), Todd McGuire #29, Brian Fischer #4, Sammy Wiggins #6 and Dan Jensen #21.

You can see a short video of 'The Wild Child's' main event get-off here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv6FYpCTsY4
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Heat 2 action in the Unlimited Outlaw Quads class sees eventual heat winner Justin McGilton #331 take the inside line over Zach Thomas #31 (4th), Garrett Dean #3 (2nd) and eventual event winner Ryan Jensen #161 (3rd) into turn one.
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Tom Bobrowicz' #159 Yamaha and Justin McGilton's #331 Honda Unlimited Outlaw Quads sit in the pit area before the night's action kicks off at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum's Bloomington round 4 on January 21, 2012.
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Ken Remer on the #476 Can Am gets pushed outside during heat 5 as Tom Bobrowicz #159, Drake Fairfield #183 and Justin Ebbing #12 hang tight in this Unlimited Outlaw Quad race.
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Saturday, January 21, 2012

Results compiled by: Dustin Speed

US Cellular Coliseum – Bloomington, IL

Round 4 - 36^th Annual World Championship ICE Racing Series

Unlimited Outlaw Quads Results

Heat 1:

1-Todd McGuire

2-Dusty Crouch

3-Kevin Smith

4-Bryce Allen

Heat 2:

1-Justin McGilton

2-Garrett Dean

3-Ryan Jensen

4-Zach Thomas

Heat 3:

1-Mandy Brodil

2-Brennon Frazier

3-Chuck Calvert

4-Brandon Davis

Heat 4:

1-Brian Fischer

2-Anthony Demeo

3-Ryan Kaufman

4-Ryan Dassow

Heat 5:

1-Justin Ebbing

2-Tom Bobrowicz

3-Ken Remer

4-Drake Fairfeild

Heat 6:

1-Shane Quam

2-Ryan Jamison

3-Nate Elwood

4-Tony Thoennes

Heat 7:

1-Drew Bergquist

2-Sammy Wiggins

3-Jeff Day

Heat 8:

1-Kevin Veon

2-Dan Jensen

3-Zach Shaffer

Heat 9:

1-Justin McGilton

2-Jeff Day

3-Dusty Crouch

4-Nate Elwood

Heat 10:

1-Mandy Brodil

2-Kevin Smith

3-Toney Thoennes

4-Zach Shaffer

Heat 11:

1-Justin Ebbing

2-Ken Remer

3-Tom Bobrowicz

4-Todd McGuire

Heat 12:

1-Shane Quam

2-Ryan Kaufman

3-Brian Fischer

4-Garrett Dean

Heat 13:

1-Kevin Veon

2-Chuck Calvert

3-Brandon Davis

4-Ryan Dassow

Heat 14:

1-Dan Jensen

2-Drew Bergquist

3-Anthony Demeo

4-Bryce Allen

Heat 15:

1-Bennon Frazier

2-Zach Thomas

3-Ryan Jamison

Heat 16:

1-Ryan Jensen

2-Sammy Wiggins

3-Drake Fairfeild

LCQ:

1-Brennon Frazier #17

2-Drew Bergquist #7

3-Mandy Brodil #1

4-Ryan Jensen #161

5-Todd McGuire #29

6-Brian Fischer #4

7-Sammy Wiggins #6

8-Dan Jensen #21

Main Event:

1-Ryan Jensen #161

2-Drew Bergquist #7

3-Justin Ebbing #12

4-Shane Quam #431

5-Brennon Frazier #17

6-Kevin Veon #237

7-Justin McGilton #331

8-Mandy Brodil #1

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Again a big thanks goes out to Brent and Tiffany Densford with ICE Speedway for putting on a great race in Bloomington on January 21. We're definitely looking forward to next year's event at B-town!
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Complete results and our original post on the Manufacturers Cup Bikes ICE Speedway Series 2012 round 4 from the U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington, IL. can be found here:

http://stusshots.blogspot.com/2012/01/jared-mees-goes-4-for-4-in-winning-2012.html
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You can keep up with the ICE Speedway Series events here:

http://icespeedway.com/cgi-bin/newsv/eventsv.cgi

And you can follow ICE Speedway on Twitter via this link:

http://twitter.com/icespeedway

And here is the link to ICE Speedway's Facebook page, which includes video links and pictures to many of their 2012 events:

https://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/World-Championship-ICE-Racing-Series/164668126883027

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Wednesday, January 25, 2012

AMA Pro Road Racing Sets Test Dates for New Orleans and Return to Homestead-Miami Speedway for 2012 Season

Ben Bostrom on the #11 Zero Gravity/Dunlop/AGV/Kerker-sponsored Honda CBR600F3 is shown during a practice session of the AMA Pro Road Racing 600 Supersport Series at the Mid Ohio Sports Car Course in July '97. The Honda Super Cycle Weekend presented by Dunlop Tire event saw BBoz back on the Zero Gravity Honda team for the second year in the 600 class, and doing double duty in the AMA Superbike Championship Series on the team's RC45.

Bostrom would go on to become the '98 AMA Superbike Champion after moving up to the American Honda factory team for the '98 season as a team mate to Miguel Duhamel, and he would win the '08 AMA Supersport Championship and the '09 Daytona 200 while riding for the Graves Yamaha team.

Bostrom will be back with the Michael Jordan Motorsports team for the 2012 season in his second season riding for the team, and will be aboard the Jordan Brand's iconic #23 machine in the AMA Superbike Championship. As best as I can recall, the elder of the Boz Bros will be the only rider racing in the AMA Pro Road Racing Series that raced on the Homestead-Miami course when the series last visited the speedway in south Florida during the '96 season. AMA Pro Road Racing has set their tests dates for the upcoming 2012 return to Homestead and the newly-added and brand new facility in New Orleans, LA.

You can read the full press release below.
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AMA Pro Racing Announces Dates for Official AMA Pro Road Racing Tests at Homestead-Miami Speedway and NOLA Motorsports Park

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 24, 2012) - AMA Pro Racing officials announced today the dates for the official AMA Pro Road Racing tests at Homestead-Miami Speedway and NOLA Motorsports Park. In advance of the Big Kahuna Miami (September 21 - 23, 2012), the Series' first return to Homestead Fla.'s Homestead-Miami Speedway since 1996, AMA Pro Road Racing riders will get a chance to shake down their machines on March 20 and 21, 2012.

Avondale, La.'s NOLA Motorsports Park is America's newest racetrack, and before heading there for the Big Kahuna New Orleans (October 5 - 7, 2012) AMA Pro Road Racing will get the chance to put down some of the first rubber on the road course at the official series test, scheduled for June 26 and 27, 2012.

The two-day tests will include track time from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with a 60-minute lunch break, media availability and will be staffed by AMA Pro Racing competition and timing & scoring personnel. In an effort to keep travel and transportation expenses to a minimum, each test has been scheduled for the Tuesday and Wednesday following an AMA Pro Road Racing event in the same region.

The test at Homestead-Miami Speedway will take place just after the season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway, which will be held on March 15 - 17, 2012 as part of the historic Daytona 200 Week. Testing at NOLA Motorsports Park is scheduled following the June 22 - 24, 2012 event at Barber Motorsports Park, which is located roughly 400 miles away in Birmingham, Ala. Additional details about the NOLA Motorsports Park test will be released via competition bulletins in the coming months.

In order to participate in either test, riders must have a valid 2012 AMA Pro Road Racing competition license and be pre-entered in the 2012 race event scheduled at the respective track. Entry forms and competition bulletins detailing each test will be available in the competition section of AMA Pro Racing's website.

Tickets for the Big Kahuna Miami at Homestead-Miami Speedway and the Big Kahuna New Orleans at NOLA Motorsports Park can be purchased at http://www.m1powersports.com/.

For additional information contact:

AMA Pro Racing Communications, (386) 492-1014, communications@amaproracing.com

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AMA Pro Road Racing Resigns Motorcycle-Superstore.com for Title Sponsorship for '12 AMA SuperSport Series

Motorcycle-Superstore.com Returns as Title Sponsor of AMA Pro Road Racing's SuperSport Class Renewing the $25,000 Year-End Points Fund

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 24, 2012) - Motorcycle-Superstore.com and AMA Pro Racing announced today an extension of their existing partnership, which names Motorcycle-Superstore.com as the Official Motorcycle Online Retail Store of AMA Pro Road Racing and title sponsor of the AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com SuperSport division. As part of the agreement, AMA Pro Racing will once again distribute more than $25,000 to riders in the form of a year-end points fund due to the gracious support of Motorcycle-Superstore.com.

"For the past two years, our relationship with Motorcycle-Superstore.com has been invaluable to AMA Pro Racing and we are extremely pleased to be extending our partnership with them," said David Atlas, Chief Operating Officer of AMA Pro Racing. "Our dedicated and loyal fan base recognizes the exceptional value and personal attention given to them when they shop with Motorcycle-Superstore.com, and we are very thankful for the support and dedication the company has likewise shown to the AMA Pro Racing athletes through the Motorcycle-Superstore.com Year-End Points Funds."

As part of the agreement, Motorcycle-Superstore.com will have an expanded online presence in AMA Pro Racing's website content and social media initiatives. Several lucky fans have already received Motorcycle-Superstore.com gift cards for winning sweepstakes held on AMA Pro Road Racing's official Facebook page, and the two companies will be working together throughout the year to find new and creative ways to give back to fans.

"If you were at the final round of the 2011 season in New Jersey, then you already know that road racing is back bigger and better than ever," said Tim Clark, Director of Sports Marketing for Motorcycle-Superstore.com. "The SuperSport class is the breeding ground for future road race champions. We're excited to support the AMA Pro Racing program and help contribute to the riders through the year-end points fund."

The $25,000 Motorcycle-Superstore.com Year-End Points Fund for AMA Pro Road Racing's Motorcycle-Superstore.com SuperSport class will be split between the East and West divisions, with additional bonus money paid to the overall national champion and Young Gun award recipient. The payout will be structured as follows:

East Coast: 1st place, $5,000; 2nd place, $3,000; 3rd place, $2,000

West Coast: 1st place, $5,000; 2nd place, $3,000; 3rd place, $2,000

Young Gun: $2,500

Overall Champion: $2,500

The 2012 AMA Pro Road Racing season will kick off at the historic Daytona 200 Week, scheduled for March 15 - 17, 2012 at Daytona International Speedway. For tickets, please visit http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.

About Motorcycle-Superstore.com:

For additional information contact:

AMA Pro Racing Communications, (386) 492-1014, communications@amaproracing.com

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Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Jared Mees Goes 4-For-4 in Winning 2012 ICE Speedway Series Round at Bloomington, IL on January 21

Jared Mees talks with the ICE Speedway Series announcer after winning his fourth main event of the 2012 season at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington, IL. on Saturday, January 21. The 3-Time and defending ICE Series Champ took his #1 Honda to the win in front of an enthusiastic crowd at round 4 of the ICE Speedway Series season in the Manufacturers Cup Bike class ahead of runner-up Kevin Anderson #11 on his Honda and 3rd place finisher Jake Mataya #29 on his Kawasaki.

The Jammer won both of his heat races to go along with his main event win in a field filled with several AMA Pro Flat Track regulars, including Rob Pearson, Justin Hittle and Brandon Robinson, to further his grip on the 2012 Manufacturers Cup Championship. Anderson, the '09 ICE Series Champion, had a good night as well in winning his first heat and coming in second to fellow-Minnesota resident Mataya in his other heat. Mataya also won both of his heats on the evening.

Eighteen riders showed up at the downtown Bloomington arena to take in the action on the ice in front of a crowd estimated at 3500 in attendance. In a tightly run program and an exciting show, ICE President Brent Densford and his wife Tiffany helped to put together a great night for everyone to enjoy, and few delays were seen throughout the evening. This is one show that doesn't give you much time to lounge around or take a break, as other then an occassional Zamboni break to work on the ice, would see racing run back-to-back throughout the evening's event.
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One of the heat races on the evening shows eventual main event runner-up Kevin Anderson #11 leading Kirk Cheney #15, with AMA Flat Track regular Justin Hittle #81 and former AMA Grand National competitor and Clermont, IN.'s Dan Ingram #22 trying to keep them honest. Ingram made the trip over with his father, Sam, also a former flat track competitor from back in the '70s.

Ingram is in the process of trying to gain enough points in the AMA Pro Flat Track Pro Singles Series and also in Steve Nace's DuQuoin indoor series to get his Expert license again. He's hoping to be able to hit the track at the first Expert Twins Series event of the season at the Memorial Day Weekend Springfield Mile.

Dan had a rough go of it in Bloomington, though. Finishing 4th in his first heat, he was forced to borrow a competitor's bike to run his second heat when his mount wouldn't fire. He ended up 4th in that second heat and failed to make the main event.

Believe it or not tidbit for the night--Ingram is still wearing the same leathers he wore when competing in the AMA Grand National Championship Series in the early '90s when he was injured at the Springfield Mile.
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Another one of the evening's exciting heat races has Brandon Robinson #44 battling with Tom McGrane #99, Jay Maloney #21 and Austin Greenland #31. BRobb44 had a night he would just as soon forget, falling behind to 4th in this and his other heat, failing to make the main. Hopefully luck will turn around for the personable Pennsylvania resident and '08 AMA Pro Expert Twins Champ when the series hits his home state on February 4 for the final round of the season at Johnstown, PA.
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Bryan McKenna #19 leads Jake Mataya #29, Mark Cheza #16 and another AMA Pro Flat Track regular, Brandan Bergen #26 during this heat race.
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Morton, IL. resident Rob 'Bugs' Pearson #27 made the short jaunt from his home to take in some of the night's racing at Bloomington. Here he tried to get the jump on eventual winner Mees #1 in their heat race, with Derek Hersh #18 keeping them in sight. The new Memphis Shades-signee for the 2012 GN season carded a 3rd and a 2nd place in his heat races, and went on to make the main with a 3rd place finish in the LCQ race. He eventually finished 5th in the main event for the Manufacturers Cup Bikes.
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The atmosphere is much more casual in the pit area of the ICE Series races then what you would see at an AMA Grand National race. Here Mark Cheza, Jared Mees and Tom McGrane wait for their next race to get some more sliding in on the ice. The #15 machine of Kirk Cheney sits on the far left side of the shot.
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The eight-man LCQ race looked pretty wild as the riders entered turn one for their last chance to make the final. Rob Pearson #27 takes the outside line around a field that included Austin Greenland #31 (LCQ winner), Jay Maloney #21 (LCQ runner-up), Tom McGrane #99, Bryan McKenna #19, Sammy Wiggins #56, Derek Hersh #18 and Jason Mott #75.
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Saturday 1/21/12

Results compiled by: Dustin Speed

US Cellular Coliseum – Bloomington, IL

Round 4 - 36^th Annual World Championship ICE Racing Series Results

Manufacturers Cup Bikes:

Heat 1:

1-Tom McGrane #99

2-Austin Greenland #31

3-Jay Maloney #21

4-Brandon Robinson #44

Heat 2:

1-Kevin Anderson #11

2-Kirk Cheney #15

3-Justin Hittle #81

4-Dan Ingram #22

Heat 3:

1-Jake Mataya #29

2-Bryan McKenna #19

3-Mark Cheza #16

4-Brandon Bergen #44

Heat 4:

1-Sammy Wiggins #56

2-Jason Mott #75

3-Ben Knight #85

Heat 5:

1-Jared Mees #1

2-Derek Hersh #18

3-Rob Pearson #27

Heat 6:

1-Jay Maloney #21

2-Jason Mott #75

3-Justin Hittle #81

4-Mark Cheza #16

Heat 7:

1-Austin Greenland #31

2-Sammy Wiggins #56

3-Tom McGrane #99

4-Ben Knight #85

Heat 8:

1-Jake Mataya #29

2-Kevin Anderson #11

3-Bryan McKenna #19

4-Brandon Robinson #44

Heat 9:

1-Kirk Cheney #15

2-Rob Pearson #27

3-Derek Hersh #18

Heat 10:

1-Jared Mees #1

2-Brandon Bergen #44

3-Dan Ingram #22 (ran #16 due to bike non-start)

LCQ:

1-Austin Greenland #31

2-Jay Maloney #21

3-Rob Pearson #27

4-Tom McGrane #99

5-Bryan McKenna #19

6-Sammy Wiggins #56

7-Derek Hersh #18

8-Jason Mott #75

Main Event:

1-Jared Mees #1

2-Kevin Anderson #11

3-Jake Mataya #29

4-Tom McGrane #99

5-Rob Pearson #27

6-Jay Maloney #21

7-Kirk Cheney #15

8-Austin Greenland #31

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In the final event of the evening, eight riders jet off the line at the drop of the flag in the Manufacturers Cup Bike main event. Austin Greenland #31, Jake Mataya #29 and Kirk Cheney #15 get the jump on eventual winner Jared Mees #1 as Rob Pearson #27, Tom McGrane #99, Jay Maloney #21 and Kevin Anderson #11 launch off of the second row.
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Jared Mees #1 gets the inside line going into turn one with Kirk Cheney #15 and Austin Greenland #31 spreading out and leading the rest of the pack in the Manufacturers Cup Bike final.
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By the time the pack is coming out of turn two, Mees has the edge on the rest of the field and went on to sail to the victory. Racing is much tighter on the indoor track then what it appears from the shot and the adrenaline level is high with not only the racers, but the crowd on hand as well.
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Later this week we will be doing another story on our trip over to Bloomington that will include some of the action in the Outlaw Quads class featured in the ICE Series. Stay tuned, but in the meantime you can check out some other info on the ICE Speedway Series. I highly recommend putting one of these events on your calendar, you will NOT be disappointed!

And a tip of the helmet and a big thanks go out to Brent and Tiffany Densford for putting on a super show in Bloomington and for letting Stu's Shots be a part of a great night!

You can keep up with ICE Speedway events here via their official site below. Round 5 of the season wraps up the shortened 2012 schedule on February 4 at the Cambria War Memorial Arena in Johnstown, PA. at 7:30 P.M. EST.

http://icespeedway.com/cgi-bin/newsv/eventsv.cgi

Follow ICE Speedway via Twitter:

http://twitter.com/icespeedway

And check out some past video action from ICE Speedway at the U.S. Cellular Arena in Bloomington, IL. here thanks to MXPTV.com:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQY4yW7Zl20
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