AMA Pro Flat Track & Circle Bell Motorsports Announce Cancellation of 2014 Sacramento Mile

Sad news from the west coast comes from the Bob Belino-helmed Circle Bell Motorsports folks, as they have announced the cancellation of the July 26 Sacramento Mile due to issues with the local horse racing industry and it's issues regarding track conditions.

With the news of the loss of what would have been round round 8 of the 2014 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season, the series' schedule will now consist of 15 rounds for this year. The next event scheduled is the Springfield Mile I on May 25 over the Memorial Day weekend.

In the shot above, Bryan Smith gets ready to roll out for his heat race on the #42 Crosley Radio/Howerton Motorsports Kawasaki at the Indy Mile in round 10 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship on August 18, with the help of team stooge Jeff Gordon and team owner Rick Howerton (manning the starter box.) Smith's Dad, Barry, can be seen just behind Bryan on the #42 rocket.

Smith used the #42 Howerton Kawasaki to win the Sacramento Mile in 2012 and 2013.

Before joining up with the Howerton team for the 2012-2013 season, Smith and his Dad, Barry campaigned the #42 Moroney's FastHog.com/American H-D-backed XR-750s to win the Sacramento Mile in July 2011, making it three wins in-a-row for the Flint, MI. native.

In the shot above, Flyin' Bryan's lethal and pristine pair of #42 Moroney's FastHog.com/American H-D-backed XRs sit in the pit area undergoing preparation by his father, Barry at the Springfield Mile II on September 4, 2011.

This is a sore hit to the gut for not only the loss of this great event overall, which always draws a great crowd thanks to the great work done by the Belino squad on the left coast, who do a fantastic job of promoting the majority of the west coast events, but also due to the loss of one of what would have been four west coast events on the 2014 schedule. And the Sacto Mile has been one of the big mainstays on the series' tour for some time, and always seems to draw a great crowd.

You can read the official press release from Circle Bell below, courtesy of AMA Pro Flat Track.

2014 Sacramento Mile Canceled

Sent on behalf of Circle Bell Motorsports: SACRAMENTO, Calif. (March 29, 2014) - Unfortunately, and due to unforeseen circumstances, the Sacramento Mile, an AMA Pro Flat Track event originally scheduled to take place on July 26, 2014 at the Cal Expo in Sacramento, CA, has been canceled. "This is a very unfortunate turn of events," said Bob Bellino, promoter of the Sacramento Mile for the last four years. "We're sorry that we won't be able to host the AMA Pro Flat Track races at the Cal Expo venue this year. There were unexpected complications with the horse racing industry regarding track conditions that have led to the improbable cancellation of the event.  It is very disheartening to me that we won't run the Sacramento Mile in 2014." The news comes as an obvious disappointment to fans, sponsors and riders, as the Sacramento Mile has been an exciting mainstay on the AMA Pro Flat Track schedule for the past four years, with a rich history that dates back to 1959. Jethro Halbert #69, Nichole Cheza-Mees #15 and Kayl Kolkman #98 battle to the finish line for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th-place spots during the semi race at the Sacramento Mile in late July 2013. Circle Bell Motorsports' Bob Belino and AMA Pro Flat Track have announced the cancellation of the 2014 Sacramento Mile on July 26 due to issues with the horse racing industry in the area. AMA Pro Flat Track photo by Dave Hoenig. The good news, however, is that though the Sacramento Mile has been canceled, there are still a number of AMA Pro Flat Track events scheduled to take place out west, including a half-mile at Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, WA July 19, the Castle Rock TT in Castle Rock, WA August 2, the Santa Rosa Mile scheduled for September 28, 2014 in Santa Rosa, CA at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, just an hour and a half west of Sacramento, and the Flat Track Finals at the Fairplex in Pomona, CA.

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

Reviewing the Opening Rounds of the 2014 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Season at the Daytona Short Track

With a long break until round 3 of the 2014 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season at the Springfield Mile I on May 25, the Daytona Short Track season-openers will leave us all wondering what else could or will transpire in the coming months of the new season ahead.

With two new event winners being heralded at Daytona (Briar Bauman in round 1, and Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. in round 2), Daytona left us with some interesting stories to ponder for the weeks ahead. These are just a few to ponder for the next 57 days ahead.

Although Coolbeth isn't a 'new' winner in terms of his overall background and history in the sport, not to mention his three AMA Grand National Twins Championships ('06-'08) and his Singles Series Championship ('07), in 21 years of trying this was his first victory in Daytona, which coupled with his first race outings with his first new team in over seven years leaves speculation and hope wide-open for one of the series most popular and experienced men.

Bauman on the other hand, while taking his first of what should be many Expert-ranked wins in round 1, answered the questions many had been wondering since his first win as a Pro-ranked rider at Peoria in 2011, which is how many more and how soon will those wins come? More frequently we can all assume should he not be faced with moving back and forth from team to team as this young man has been doing since turning Expert just over two full seasons ago.

Sammy Halbert answered a lot of questions about his off season in 2013 by leaving Daytona with a healthy points lead, not to mention looking like the Sammy of old-winning and confident. Although The Slammer didn't win either of the National mains, his double fast time qualifying efforts, night 1 Dash win and 2-4 effort for his work paid off in spades.

Henry Wiles seemed, for the most part, to escape what many may call the curse of Daytona by carding two 6th-place finishes for the season-openers, something he hasn't been able to do almost ever in Daytona, even though it took a provisional card to get that done in round 1. But his working through the field to garner that first finish was the stuff champions are made of, and with a new team in the working for his Twins Series efforts, and what everyone knows The Hammer can do on the two remaining Singles events, and especially at Peoria, leaves us all pondering how strong of a year he could have going forward.

In the shot above from round 15 of the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship at the Springfield Short Track, the Dash for Cash event gets ready to rock 'n roll at the Multipurpose Arena at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on September 3.

(L-R) Chad Cose on the #49 M.E.H. Corp/Arlen Ness/Bell-sponsored Honda CRF450R, Jake Johnson on the #1 Zanotti Racing/Schaeffer's H-D-backed Honda, Brad Baker on his #12 Brothers Powersports/MVR-backed Honda, Jeffrey Carver, Jr. on his #23 Van's Yamaha/Stevens Racing-sponsored Yamaha YZ450F (and eventual first-time Dash winner), Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. on his #2 Chaplin Kawasaki/Spectro Oils-sponsored KX450F and Henry Wiles on the #17 Monster Energy Kawasaki/Jones Bros-sponsored KX450F all get ready to battle in the evening's first points paying event.

And although there are many other great stories and things to look forward to for the season ahead, one thing is for certain, the story that is The Rolling Thunder Show is the series' ability to provide the best racing on two wheels in the world and that there is never a certain thing in racing, especially with the level of talent as seen in the world of AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship racing.

You can catch up more with what happened two weeks ago in Daytona, not only with the press release below from AMA Pro Flat Track, but with the following round-up of action from some of the finest in the business!

Larry Lawrence was on hand covering the action for Cycle News in Daytona Beach. Check out his full report, photos and highlights here.

More action reports from Daytona Beach come from Dakota Dan Jacobson, Sr. as he filed this report on round 1 and this report on round 2 for Today's Cycle Coverage.com.

AMA Pro Flat Track rolled out their FansChoice.TV coverage for Daytona and from our point of view, the coverage was spot-on! Not only can you check out the action if you can't be at the track, but three cameras were on hand to give fans different angles of the action. Full races are archived for future viewing, and you can check out round 1 here and round 2 here to keep you from jonesing out for the next almost-two months break until Springfield.

AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Rounds 1 & 2 Recap DAYTONA Flat Track

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 20, 2014) - From heartbreak to heroics, there was no shortage of drama when AMA Pro Flat Track kicked off its 2014 season last weekend with its season opening rounds at DAYTONA Flat Track in Daytona Beach, Fla. on March 13-14, 2014. Both rounds proved to be a thrilling couple days of nonstop motorcycle racing action between some of the world's most prominent dirt track riders. Salinas, California's Briar Bauman's Round 1 effort was the one he'll want to remember most as he (Rod Lake Racing/Honda) took home the first Grand National main event victory of the young 2014 season. Bauman did so by almost a full two seconds over second place finisher and Graham, Wash. product Sammy Halbert (Vans Yamaha/Fredericktown Yamaha/Yamaha). As flawless as Bauman was in Round 1, his Round 2 performance was the exact opposite, as he finished 15th in the season's second Grand National main event of the year. However, at just 18-years-old, Bauman should and will be considered a threat to take it the distance on any given weekend. Briar Bauman #14 won his first of what should be many AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship events as an Expert-ranked rider at the Daytona Short Track I on March 13. After finishing in the 15th-place spot in night 2, the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Rookie of the Year leaves Daytona tied for the 5th-place spot in the overall championship with Stevie Bonsey, both with 28 points. AMA Pro Flat Track photo by Dave Hoenig. As for Halbert, his second and fourth place finishes to begin 2014 were very impressive as the 26-year-old appears to be hitting his stride early on this season. "It was a great race," said Halbert speaking about his runner-up finish following the first main event. "I have to give it up to Briar (Bauman); he rode great the entire race. I thought I had something for him in the middle of the race when I kind of closed on him a bit but it was a tough track and I lost some time." After claiming his first Grand National main event victory at Daytona a year ago, Oxford, Pennsylvania's Brandon Robinson (USC Kawasaki/Kawasaki) made another impressive showing in 2014, landing inside the top-five in both main events. Robinson earned a third place Round 1 finish and came all the way back from the fourth row in Round 2 to come away with a fifth place performance. "I was extremely happy to come from a long ways back and earn my first podium of the season," said Robinson speaking about his race one main event performance. "I kept pushing and pushing and finally got into good position where I could solidify a third place finish. My team and I worked very hard this offseason and this is a great way to start the season." Morris, Connecticut's Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. (Zanotti Racing/Honda) earned a strong Round 2 main event win despite his forgettable 17th place Round 2 main event finish. After losing the Factory Harley-Davidson ride in the offseason, Coolbeth, Jr. was quickly scooped up by Zanotti Racing and the two look to make up quite the tandem heading into future 2014 race weekends. "I've wanted this win for a long time and it feels amazing to finally get it," said Coolbeth, Jr. following his Round 2 main event victory. "My new team and I have been working hard all winter and I'm very excited for things to come this season and seasons beyond." Coatesville, Penn. product and 2011 Grand National Champion Jake Johnson (Ramspur Winery/Honda) looked very average during the first round, posting mediocre practice and qualifying times and coming in 10th in the main event. However, Johnson got his bike in gear for round two, as he won the Dash for Cash and finished second in the night's main event and boosted his position in the points all the way up to fifth before exiting Daytona. "I was feeling a little rough during round one," said Johnson. "I'm glad I was able to recover like I did for round two with second and a Dash for Cash victory. It feels good to be right in the hunt now and I'm ready to make a run at this thing." Winn, Michigan's Henry Wiles (Don's Kawasaki/Kawasaki) earned back-to-back sixth place finishes to begin the season in Daytona. Though his results were far from spectacular, Wiles can't be too bummed about starting off the season in the top-ten in points. One of the biggest storylines and set of unfortunate circumstances that stemmed from last weekend's opening rounds at DAYTONA Flat Track was defending Grand National Champion Brad Baker and his inability to find the top-ten in either of the season's first two main events. Baker was disqualified after a Round 1 incident in the pits involving him and his team's misuse of his motorcycle in Thursday night's final. As if the DNF wasn't a bad enough beginning to the season for the current No. 1 plate holder, Baker then went on to finish 11th in Friday night's main event to set him all the way back to 16th in the overall championship points race. Following the conclusion of Round 2, it was safe to say the Dryad, Wash. product and defending title-holder couldn't get out of Daytona fast enough. However, Baker's nightmarish start to the 2014 season is realistically only a minor setback for him as there are still 13 rounds remaining, 11 of which he will compete aboard the heavily sought-after Factory Harley-Davidson XR750. Next Up The stars of AMA Pro Flat Track will head to Springfield, Ill. for the Springfield Mile at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on May 25, 2014. How to Watch FansChoice.tv will be the official home for live streaming coverage of AMA Pro Flat Track and AMA Pro Road Racing events in 2014. The site will also provide coverage of IMSA's development and single-make series, and NASCAR's touring and weekly series.   About AMA Pro Flat Track AMA Pro Flat Track 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 2014 schedule consists of 16 rounds on the country's finest flat track courses. For more information on AMA Pro Flat Track, please visit www.amaproracing.com/ft.

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

Weirbach Racing's Rob Pearson #27 Reports on the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Season-Openers at Daytona

Rob Pearson and the Iowa-based Weirbach Racing team had a rough start to the 2014 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season at the Daytona Short Track I & II. After some decent qualifying efforts on both nights March 13-14, and making the Dash for Cash in round 1, things seemed to progressively get worse for the Morton, IL. resident.

After fighting through for a 16th-place finish out of the 19 riders on night one, Pearson had to come through his semi to make it to the National main in round 2, but came up just short after the 19-rider event was filled.

In the shot above, Pearson is shown on the #27 Weirbach Racing/KDM Forest Products Honda CRF450R during the final qualifying session at his home track at the Peoria TT during round 7 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season on August 11.

Check out the Weirbach Racing team's release below to see how Bugs and the team persevered during the opening rounds, and also what we (and the great group of strong fighters on the team) have to look forward to come round 2 at the Springfield Mile I on May 25.

Press release courtesy of the Weirbach Racing team

Bike Week Race Report for Rob Pearson & Weirbach Racing

Daytona Bike week has come and gone and that lime rock short track has got
the best of me again.

After qualifying 12th the first day, I got a good start in the heat and ended up 2nd,
good enough for the dash for cash and a front row start in the main.
Ended up 5th in the dash and after bouncing everywhere but on the ground
I could only manage 16th in the main.

Rob Pearson on the #27 Weirbach Racing Honda CRF450R is shown during a qualifying session at the Daytona Short Track during the season-openers on March 13-14. Photo courtesy of Weirbach Racing by Mia Moore/FlatTrack.com's Fans in the Stands.







The second night things were worse yet.

I qualified 18th which was just good enough for the front row in my heat
and after the battle for the last transfer spot I came up a spot short and
was headed to the semi.  I had a tough group, but knew that I could make it.

I was off and running in 3rd looking for a spot to pass Carver for 2nd while
trying not to give up the last transfer spot into the main at the same time.
As I was looking for a way under Jeffery here comes Henry Wiles around
the outside of both of us and my day was done early.

I was going to use my provisional since I was in the top ten in points from
 last season. Jared Mees finished behind me in the semi but had more points
 last year and got to use his provisional.

We did manage to get out on our new Kawasaki twin at Steve Nace's Half-Mile
All-Star Races. The new Kawasaki 700 feels good and I will be ready for Springfield!

Hope to see you there.

Rob Pearson #27

Special thanks to all our sponsors

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Team Pata Honda Finishes Test in Cartagena in Preparation for Round 2 of 2014 World Superbike Championship

Circuito Cartagena - Spain    28.03.2014                 Positive Spanish test for Pata Honda SBK The Pata Honda World Superbike team has completed a private three-day test at the Circuito Cartagena near Murcia in Spain. It is the first time that riders Leon Haslam and Jonathan Rea have ridden their new Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP machines since returning from the opening round of the 2014 World Superbike championship at Phillip Island in Australia one month ago. The pair used the test to continue development of chassis settings on their CBR machines, as well as refining power delivery and traction control. They will stay in Spain this weekend and move further south to Circuito de Jerez for another three-day test which starts next Monday. Round two of the World Superbike championship will also take place in Spain, at Motorland Aragon on 11-13 April. Photos courtesy of Jon Jessop Photography. Leon Haslam -  Yeah, I’m happy with this test and we were able to make some good progress with the overall CBR package. We tested a new swingarm and some other chassis settings and we’re still waiting for one or two other elements to come through. We also worked on traction control which is a lot better now and to go 0.3s under the circuit record was a good way to finish. We’re going to do a bit of cycling before heading down to Jerez and we’ll see what the weather brings us down there. Jonathan Rea -  We’ve made some really good steps here and our test rider, Michele Magnoni, did a really good job over the first couple of days, especially on Wednesday when it was really windy. I rode with some new strategies that he was developing and I’m happy to be able to ride more aggressively on longer runs. The speed over one lap was good, too, but I was more satisfied with the longer runs. We also tried a lot of chassis settings, varying pivot points and things, and the bike is definitely steering better on tighter lines. Pieter Breddels -  It’s been a really good test. I can’t really say much more. Apart from the really strong winds on Wednesday, the weather has allowed us to get through a lot of work and both Jonathan and Leon were able to go faster than the old lap record here at Cartagena. Apart from the chassis settings, we concentrated on throttle opening and getting the traction control to catch slides more predictably. I think both riders are feeling a lot more confident about that. We have three more days testing at Jerez next week but, at the moment, the weather forecast is not looking too good for that, so I’m glad we got this time at Cartagena.   Copyright-free images Jonathan Rea   Michele Magnoni - test rider     Leon Haslam   Jonathan Rea © 2014 Pata Honda. For more copyright-free media, please register or log in at media.patahonda.com or email media@patahonda.com

Brandon Robinson #44 Files His AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Daytona Short Track Rounds 1&2 Report

Brandon Robinson very likely put in the ride of the double opening rounds at the Daytona Short Track on March 13-14, but you can't blame him or his comeback ride for possibly being overshadowed by the wins taken by Briar Bauman in round 1 or Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. in round 2.

Robinson's 3rd-place finish was textbook riding in hanging with the leaders and doing what was necessary to keep Bauman and 2nd-place finisher Sammy Halbert within sight, as well as keeping the rest of the field well behind him.

But it was his performance in round 2 that ultimately could prove who ends up where in the overall point standings at the end of the season.

After coming into contact with Jake Constantine in the opening laps of the 25-lap National main, the Oxford, Pa. resident took a nasty fall that very well could have ended his evening. But after a red flag restart, coupled with a penalty/fourth row start, the field was off again, as was BRob44, but from a much further distance back then what he or anyone else could even have imagined when the evening's events began.

Slicing through traffic and passing riders one-by-one, Robinson put on a virtual clinic in how to regain valuable points and how even passing is possible on a slick, grooved limestone/sea shell-laden packed surface. By the end of the race, the former '08 Basic Expert Twins Champion had worked his way back into 5th-place, and had salvaged what could possibly been a bombshell of a day's efforts.

When the dust had settled on the two days of great racing, Robinson was left in tie for 3rd-place in the championship with night two winner Coolbeth, both just 12 points back from early-season leader Halbert and three points in arrears from evening two's 2nd-place man, Jake Johnson. Not too bad of a result after taking what could have been a nasty face plant, done for the evening crash, and turning it into what I consider the ride of the two rounds of racing to salvage a great result, and what what looked like a 'Wide World of Sports' thrill of victory moment!

In the shot above, Robinson works on set-up during the opening round of practice on the #44 TJ Burnett Farms/USC/Hart Racing-sponsored Kawasaki KX450F at the Peoria TT during round 7 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship on August 11.

A big congrats to all for some great racing over the course of the two evening's of racing on the Daytona International Speedway short track, but a huge tip of the helmet and 'hoorah!' to BRob44 for putting on one helluva ride for the fans in turning it all around and showing he hasn't missed a step since the end of the 2013 season and is ready to battle at the front again with the best of the best in The Rolling Thunder Show and in the best racing series on two wheels in the world!

You can check out Brandon's race report from the Daytona Short Track I&II below to see what he had to say about the season-opening rounds, and knowing him, it's probably doesn't sound as exciting as what I have put it, because that's just the kind of guy he is, but believe me, his version should sound JUST as exciting as mine!

Press release courtesy of Brandon Robinson & the USC/James Hart Racing Kawasaki AMA Pro Flat Track team

Brandon Robinson Starts off 2014 Strong in Daytona Beach

Oxford, PA (March 24, 2014) - The 2014 AMA Pro Flat Track season is here and the contenders are already making their way to the front of the pack. One rider who had a breakthrough season last year proved that 2013 was no fluke and came out swinging at Daytona. His name is Brandon Robinson.

 

Robinson suffered an injury during the off-season while testing at the Steve Nace Indoor Nationals in Duquoin, IL. He broke his collarbone and it required surgery for repair. He decided to race a few events before Rounds 1 & 2 at Daytona Flat Track to get comfortable on the bike again and test the twins he will be racing this season.

Brandon Robinson is shown on the #44 USC/James Hart Racing Kawasaki in preparation for the Daytona Short Track event during the season-opening round on March 13-14. Robinson had a 3-5 tally for the two nights of racing and very well had the ride of the night during round 2 where he came back from a fourth row start to card a 5th-place finish, picking off riders one-by-one during the 25-lap National main. Photo courtesy of Brandon Robinson/USC-James Hart Racing, by Dave Hoenig/AMA Pro Flat Track & Flat Trak Fotos.com.

“We did both of the Steve Nace All-Star races during Bike Week at Savannah and Volusia,” said Robinson. “I was a little rusty, but I felt solid on the bike. We won Savannah on the Twin and finished third at Volusia. We also did the Volusia Short Track race and got the victory from the back row. I felt good on the bike and I was feeling very confident heading in the Short Track.”

 

In 2013, Robinson won his first ever Grand National at Daytona en route to a 3rd-place overall finish in the championship. 

After qualifying fifth on Day 1, Brandon finished fourth in his heat race. This would put him on the second row for the main event. He rode a smart, smooth race and picked off as many riders as he could to finish on the podium in third place.  A very solid finish to kick off the season.

 

Day 2 started off similar with a sixth in qualifying. However, the heat race went much better and he grabbed the start he needed and checked out to grab the victory. It was looking very positive for the main event until another rider went down and collected Robinson in the process. He fought back from the fourth row to finish a very solid fifth place.

 

“I am satisfied with my finishes at the Daytona Flat Track,” said Robinson. “I think I had the speed to win the second day, but it’s short track racing and anything can happen. I am pleased with how I rode both days. I can’t complain about two top 5′s. We picked up good points and we are in a good position heading into Springfield.”

 

Robinson will once again campaign the USC Racing Kawasaki’s in the Expert Twins season this year and is looking to pick up where he left off last season where he won back-to-back Springfield Mile main events in the fall.

 

For more information on Brandon Robinson, follow him on social media. @BRob44 on Twitter and Instagram || Facebook.com/BrandonRobinsonRacing

 

Brandon Robinson 2014 Sponsors:

USC Kawasaki, James Hart, Hot Shot Motorworks, Stevens Racing, R&D Machine, Arai, ATI Physical Therapy, Penske Shocks, AXO, Go Pro, Saddlemen, Pro Plates, Motion Pro, Royal Publishing, VC Graphix, KK Motorcycle Supply, Hartman Photography, Modotek, PMP Sprockets, Spectro Oils, Wiseco Pistons, Cometic Gaskets, Lectron Carburetors, Evans Coolant, Marmor Fitness, G2 Ergonomics, West Coast Hot Shoes, Works Connection, K&N, Impact Armor, DAO, Spy Optic, WKR, Race Tech, Jim Chapman, Tom Scibek, John Y, TJB 

Thanks, B!

 

Brandon Robinson - GNC 44
15 Wood Valley Lane
Oxford, PA 19363
484-888-9485

Website:  BrandonRobinson44.com

Twitter:  @BRob44
Instagram: @BRob44
Facebook:  Brandon Robinson
 

PRESS RELEASE BY: PROMOS BY CTEX – CTexter@hotmail.com

AMA Pro Road Racing Recaps Daytona Season-Opening Round of the AMA Pro Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Series

AMA Pro Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Series Recap Daytona International Speedway

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 25, 2014) - The 2014 AMA Pro Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway lived up to all the hype. Billed as a certain barnburner before the XR1200s even took to the high banks, the seven-lap melee proved to be that and more. Just how tight was it? Consider that .647 seconds covered the top 11 motorcycles at the checkered flag. But as chaotic as it may have appeared at times, with stacked rows of riders repeatedly running four and five wide as they drafted around the legendary course, the end result was anything but random. That fact was made evident by the final finishing order, which, as close as it was (a minuscule 0.068 seconds separated first from second), saw KWR/Millennium Technologies Harley-Davidson's Kyle Wyman claim his third Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Series victory at Daytona in four tries. Additionally, the runner-up spot was snared by Josh Chisum Racing/Bartels' Harley-Davidson's Tyler O'Hara, who won last year's race, edging Wyman by 0.075 in the '13 thriller. Kyle Wyman on the #33 KWR/Millenium Technologies H-D XR1200 leads the field during the AMA Pro Vance & Hines H-D Series at Daytona on March 14. Wyman went on to win the race by just .068 seconds over runner-up Tyler O-Hara. AMA Pro Road Racing photo by Brian J. Nelson. Wyman was all smiles after returning the favor to O'Hara and reclaiming the top of the podium at Daytona. "I knew it was going to be a 12-rider drafting war from start to finish," said Wyman. "It was just like last year's battle, and was going to come down to the last lap run from the chicane to the finish line. I can barely remember what happened in those closing stages, but apparently it worked out again for me." Second-placed O'Hara was gracious in defeat: "It was awesome. Everybody wants to win Daytona. I was fortunate to win it last year, but came up just a little bit short this year. Kyle rode awesome and everybody rode really clean. It's a little bit of luck and little bit something else to get the job done here. The race was a lot of fun. When they're like that they go quick. You're having fun and you're in the moment and you're racing hard every lap. That's what we live for." Folsom Harley-Davidson's Gage McAllister emerged from the pack to round out the podium in third, a further 0.04 seconds adrift. After the slugfest the up-and-comer said, "It was a pretty great ride -- there were a ton of people up front. I was just trying to stay in the right position for the last lap. I kind of found myself toward the front; I was looking to be a bit further back but I still got a good run down the back straightaway. It was a great race. I was super nervous going into it but as soon as the green flag went I was ready to go." Fellow Wisconsintes Nick Hansen and Ben Carlson piloted their Suburban Harley-Davidsons to the final two positions in the top five. Aerostar Global-backed Hansen battled his way from seventh up into second to open the final lap, but he was dropped one position off the box in the hectic final scramble. Carlson came home fifth after leading the race during its early stages. OPR/Liberty Chevrolet's Eric Stump finished sixth and stood as the last man to displace one-time class champ Danny Eslick on the Ruthless Racing Harley-Davidson XR1200. Eslick managed to take the white flag in the lead and made a last-gasp attempt to break away. However, he was denied in that effort, steamrolled by a swarming pack of XRs as the field powered around the banking for the final time. The Oklahoman was forced to accept seventh, a semi-bitter pill made much easier to swallow by his triumphant DAYTONA 200 performance the following day. Chili Pepper Racing Harley-Davidson's Hayden Schultz took the checkered flag in eighth with his one-off Daytona teammate, Michael Barnes, a further position behind in ninth. 16-year-old Schultz found himself just 0.252 seconds off an AMA Pro victory but with only eighth-place points to show for it. He said of his eventful ride, "I got an okay start, but I was a little behind the lead pack of guys. I eventually ran them down on the last lap. I ended up in the big cluster of guys at the front and finished eighth. I'm happy to know that I can run with those guys, and that I had a shot at the podium. I'm really excited for the next rounds at real road courses where I can show my skills in the corners." 2012 AMA Pro Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Series champion Barnes said, "I led for a while, and I felt like I was in a good position on the last lap, but this goes to show you how things can go at Daytona. I've won a lot of races here, and there are so many things that can happen in the last half of the last lap before the finish line. I got blocked on the run to the flag, but I had a great time riding with friends. I've got to thank Chili Pepper, Paul Diener, Elvis Johns and Brett Singer for all their help this weekend." Longevity Racing Harley-Davidson's Barrett Long completed the top ten while Thrashed Bike Racing Harley-Davidson's David Estok was the unfortunate rider who was just 0.647 seconds behind race-winner Wyman but outside the top ten. That said, the defending AMA Pro Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Series champ, Suburban Motors Harley-Davidson's Steve Rapp, would have gladly taken 11th-place points. Rapp started the race from pole but saw his Daytona bid come to a close prematurely for a second consecutive year. After completing just a single lap a year ago and finishing in 24th -- last among all starters, the Californian only managed three laps this time around with the exact same result -- 24th and at the very back of the field. Last season, Rapp managed to recover and secure the first #1 plate of his AMA Pro Road Racing career. The veteran ace will look to quickly regroup and pull another rabbit out of his hat. He'll get his next shot at the Subway SuperBike Doubleheader at Road America, where he was simply magical last season. Round 2 will take place in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin on May 30-June 1. How to Watch FansChoice.tv will be the official home for live streaming coverage of AMA Pro Road Racing and AMA Pro Flat Track events in 2014. The site will also provide coverage of IMSA's development and single-make series, and NASCAR's touring and weekly series. About AMA Pro Road Racing AMA Pro Road Racing is the premier motorcycle road racing series in North America and is universally regarded as one of the most competitive road racing organizations in the world. The series is comprised of four production-based classes: AMA Pro SuperBike, AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike, AMA Pro SuperSport and the AMA Pro Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Series. Learn more about AMA Pro Road Racing at 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

Team Drive M7 Aspar's Hayden 8th, Aoyama 11th in Debut Ride at MotoGP Qatar Season-Opener

23/03/14. 01 GP QATAR - LOSAIL - RACE

DRIVE M7 ASPAR RIDERS SHINE ON LOSAIL DEBUT Nicky Hayden and Hiroshi Aoyama score top ten finishes in first ride with new team If there was one thing that the 2014 season promised it was excitement and the first race of the season did not disappoint, with a race that saw Jorge Lorenzo burst into the lead only to crash out, followed by Stefan Bradl on the ninth lap. With the Spaniard and the German out of the race Valentino Rossi took control with a group of four riders behind him (Márquez, Pedrosa, Bautista and Smith). Bautista and Smith would eventually slide out of the group and as Pedrosa settled for third place there was an intense battle for the win between Márquez and Rossi that saw the 'apprentice' once again overcome the 'sorcerer'.  DRIVE M7 Aspar riders Nicky Hayden and Hiroshi Aoyama started the new season in strong fashion with top ten finishes, the American overcoming the challenge of Pol Espargaró before battling with Scott Redding in the latter stages, eventually settling for eight place. Hiroshi Aoyama took advantage of a big step forward with his set-up yesterday to take eleventh place and pick up five important points following a race-long battle with Yonny Hernández. 8th Nicky Hayden: “We had to change our start procedure tonight and it wasn't easy, there were riders everywhere but I managed to get into a better rhythm than the test and practice here, setting consistent 1.56s. I tried everything to stay with Espargaró, but in the end I had worn out the left hand side of the tyre and ran off. It ended up a straight battle between me and Scott, we passed each other a few times and he got me on the line. A few riders crashed but we made it to the end and picked up eighth. We set a great pace at the start of the race, now we need to work on the second half and try to improve on what we have learnt here. I want to thank the team, Honda and all the sponsors for their efforts. Now we need to look ahead to the next race.” 11th Hiroshi Aoyama: “It was a tough race because as the night progressed the temperatures dropped and the feeling with the tyres worsened, which is why so many riders crashed. Personally I chose the softest option tyre and it was difficult to adapt my pace according to the temperature but I got in a fight with Hernández and even though my pace was better than his I couldn't get away. If I didn't get embroiled with him I might have finished higher up but anyway I am happy because it has been a tough weekend and the team has done a great job. We found a good setting yesterday and it has paid off today with eleventh place.”