AMA Pro Racing Signs Howe Enterprises & City National Bank as Associate Sponsors for AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship

AMA Pro Racing out of Daytona Beach, FL. announced earlier this week the resigning and signing of two associate sponsors for the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship. Howe Enterprises was announced as resigning for the next two seasons as the Official Apparel partner of AMA Pro Flat Track through the 2016 season, and City National Bank will sponsor the "Long Haul Award" for the 2015 season that will pay the qualifying rider $500 bonus monies who traveled the farthest to compete in an AMA Grand National event. City National's total outlay for this season will be in the neighborhood of $80K in bonus money.

In the shot above, Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. on the #2 Zanotti Racing/Moroney's H-D/Burt Ives Honda-sponsored Harley-Davidson XR750 leads Sammy Halbert on his #7 South East H-D/White's H-D/Specialty Fabrications-backed Kawasaki EX650 and Henry Wiles on the #17 Don's Kawasaki/DPC Racing/EA Racing-sponsored Kawasaki during the final qualifying session at round 11 of the 2014 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season at the legendary Indy Mile on August 8. Coolbeth went on to qualify 2nd, win his heat race, took 2nd in the Dash for Cash and then ran away and hid in the 25-lap Grand National main held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds under the lights alongside the Indiana State Fair.

AMA Pro Racing has been doing a stellar job of signing on associate sponsors this season, helping to drive up the payouts, contingencies and bonus cash to be paid to the riders in The Rolling Thunder Show this season, which will definitely help pay some of the bills along the way to compete in the greatest racing show on two wheels in the world. Good on you guys for helping out the riders and a big thanks to Howe Enterprises and City National Bank for stepping up to the plate to help out the series, teams and riders to offset the high costs of racing.

Check out the full press releases below courtesy of the sanctioning body on Fentress Blvd. in Daytona.

Howe Enterprises and AMA Pro Racing announce renewed, two-year AMA Pro Flat Track partnership through 2016

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 25, 2015) - Howe Enterprises and AMA Pro Racing announced today a renewed, two-year partnership that extends the successful relationship through the 2015 and 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track seasons.   Howe Enterprises has been an official partner with AMA Pro Racing since 2014 and returns as the Official Apparel Partner of AMA Pro Flat Track for the second-consecutive season. The Howe Enterprises merchandise trailer will be located on site at AMA Pro Flat Track events and race fans in attendance will have the opportunity to select from a wide array of apparel.   "We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Howe Enterprises," said Michael Gentry, Chief Operating Officer of AMA Pro Racing. "It's important to have quality apparel representing our sport and Howe Enterprises provides exactly that."   "Howe Enterprises is extremely excited about the opportunity to continue the partnership with AMA Pro Flat Track, providing a new and complete merchandise line specifically tuned for our great fans, teams and truly amazing riders of AMA Pro Flat Track," said Joe Howe, Owner of Howe Enterprises. "I have been in the racing business for 20 years and was introduced to AMA Pro Flat Track in 2003 and I can honestly say it is the greatest racing I ever have witnessed. The riders possess unbelievable talents and they deserve to have their sport brought to the top."   Fans can visit the Howe Enterprises merchandise trailer during Round 3 of the AMA Pro Flat Track season on May 24 at the Springfield Mile. Tickets to the Springfield Mile can be purchased by visiting http://www.illinoismda.com/.    Every round of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track season will be available live, in high definition and free of charge for fans to watch online at www.FansChoice.tv.

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.

AMA Pro Racing and City National Bank team up to create the "Long Haul Award" for AMA Pro Flat Track riders

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 25, 2015) - AMA Pro Racing and City National Bank are pleased to announce the "Long Haul Award," which will pay $80,000 directly to AMA Pro Flat Track riders over the course of the 2015 season.   The award is part of an initiative to reduce and offset costs for riders and teams, and will pay $500 each to the 10 riders who traveled the greatest distance to each AMA Pro Flat Track event. Riders must qualify for the Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines Main Event from the Heats or Semis to be eligible for the award.   "We're thankful to City National Bank for stepping up and helping us support the athletes that put on such a great show for the fans week in and week out," said Michael Gentry, Chief Operating Officer of AMA Pro Racing. "We understand the dedication and financial commitment it takes to travel to all the venues on our schedule, so being able to put money back in the pockets of our riders is very fulfilling. Giving back to the paddock is a major focus for us, and the City National Bank Long Haul Award is a perfect example of how we are doing that."   City National Bank has a history dating back to 1954 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif.   "It's a great program that gives back to the team members," said David Pijot, Senior Vice President of City National Bank. "We have a very large entertainment division that includes offices in New York City, Nashville, Atlanta and now, Daytona Beach, with an emphasis on motorsports. We wanted to be involved in a way that gives back to the participants. We're happy to have this association with a new series like this."   Next up, AMA Pro Flat Track heads to the legendary Springfield Mile May 24 for Round 3 of the 2015 season. For more information, please visit: http://www.illinoismda.com/.   Every round of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track season will be available live, in high definition and free of charge for fans to watch online at www.FansChoice.tv.   About City National   City National Corporation (NYSE: CYN) has $32.6 billion in assets. The company's wholly owned subsidiary, City National Bank, provides banking, investment and trust services through 75 offices, including 16 full-service regional centers, in Southern California, the San Francisco Bay Area, Nevada, New York City, Nashville and Atlanta.  City National and its investment affiliates manage or administer $60.8 billion in client investment assets, including $48.1 billion under direct management.   For more information about City National, please visit: www.cnb.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.

Brandon Robinson #44 Leaves AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Season Openers at Daytona With 2 Top-5 Finishes

2008 AMA Pro Flat Track Pro Twins Champion Brandon 'BRob44' Robinson started off the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season with a bang earlier this month and was able to bring his TJ Burnett Farms-sponsored Honda home for a 4th-place and 2nd-place finish in the season-opening rounds at the Daytona Short Track.

Robinson, who had switched back to the TJ Burnett Farms team late last season after struggling early in the season on the USC/Hart Racing Kawasaki team, helped to repay his previous season boss by getting such a strong start to the new season. Robinson will campaign this year's Singles Series events aboard big man Burnett's superb Hondas, while he will campaign the Twins Series events as the new member of the Latus Motors/Castrol Oil Racing team headed up by former 2000 AMA Grand National Champion Joe Kopp.

In the shot above, BRob44 gasses it up on the #44 TJ Burnett Farms/USC Racing/James Hart Racing-sponsored Kawasaki KX450F during the final qualifying session at the Peoria TT during round 7 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season on August 11.

BRob has his work cut out for him in the Twins Series events this season, but no more than any of the other riders including Johnny Lewis and Kopp who have tried to get the Latus Motors Triumph up to snuff in the ultra competitive Rolling Thunder Show. In what will be the third year for the team, Robinson just could be the man to make the slogan 'third time's a charm' come true for the Northwest Territory-based team.

Check out Brandon's press release below as he fills us all in on testing before the Daytona rounds and how he got through Daytona with such a fine set of finishes to kick off the 2015 season with a big jump start. As always, we wish the tall man the best of luck this year and look forward to seeing him get the Latus Motors Triumph up on the podium and the TJ Burnett Farms Honda back in the winners circle again this year. Go get 'em guys!


Press release courtesy of Brandon Robinson AMA Grand National #44

It sure is crazy to believe another Daytona has already come and gone!  Just like every year I’m pretty ramped up for the beginning of the season and this year was no different. 

 

This offseason I had a pretty big overhaul to my entire program from switching brands of motorcycles to having a new crew chief.  One thing I was really excited about was getting the chance to finally ride the Latus Motors Castrol Triumph.  We had some ups and downs throughout testing, but in the end we had a productive test where I was able to get a good feel for the Triumph.  Overall I’m pretty excited and after being able to get some laps on it I feel like the potential is there to have some good results. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brandon Robinson is shown on the #44 TJ Burnett Farms Honda during Bike Week festivities in early March. Photo courtesy of Brandon Robinson by Tom Stein/Northwest Track Shots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once all of our big bike testing was done we focused on getting ready for the opening rounds of the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship at the Daytona short track.

 

The last couple years have been very good to me at Daytona so my confidence was high that we could get the job done once again.   It was an amazing feeling to come out swinging right off the bat as we were fast right off the truck where we ultimately qualified 3^rd overall.  With the track developing a single racing line it made for an extremely tough track to pass on, as I found out with a bad start in my heat race that would put me on the second row for the main event. 

 

In the main I got as good of a start as I could from the second row and from there I methodically worked my way forward for a 4^th place finish.  Not a bad start to the season! 

 

Night two started off a little slower as I only mustered 11^th overall in timed qualifying.  AMA decided to water the track more frequently, which made the track really slick and this definitely benefited my riding style. 

 

The heat race went much better on night two as I was able to get out front early and run away with the win.  The best part was setting fast time and then we were able to go out and rip off the win in the Dash for Cash.  It was great to get that extra point towards the championship and at this point I felt ready for the main event. 

 

Then the track crew watered it right before the main making the track the slickest we had seen all night.  As the green light flashed in the main, I got off to a good start and was able to work my way to the lead by the beginning of lap two.  However it was short lived as Coolbeth got by me pretty much as soon as I took the lead and he continued to pull away until the finish.  I tried everything I could, but we were no match for him and I ended up bringing her home in 2^nd place. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robinson is shown on the podium during the Daytona Short Track II on Friday, March 13 after taking home a 2nd-place finish behind winner Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. and 3rd-place finisher Sammy Halbert. Photo courtesy of Brandon Robinson by Tom Stein/Northwest Track Shots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All in all it was a great start to my season ripping off a couple of top-5's, getting on the box one night, and leaving Daytona in 2^nd-place in the point standings. 

 

Can’t thank my entire crew that was at Daytona enough; Brent, Joe, and Lee for all of their hard work and help during bike week. 

 

Until next time I’ll be working harder than ever!  Thanks everyone for all of your support!

 

 

Singles Sponsors: TJ Burnett Farms, John Y Racing, Armbruster Racing, J&H Repair, Arai, AXO, Latus Motors, Secrets of Speed, Motion Pro, Works Connection, Castrol, Royal Publishing, Virus, Hartman Photography, ATI Physical Therapy, GoPro, Spider Grips, Built Clothing, Victory Circle, Saddlemen, K&N, Evans Coolant, Feeback Sports, Jamis, West Coast Hot Shoes

 

 

Twins Sponsors: Latus Motors, Castrol, Triumph America, GE Capital, Freedom Road Financial, K&N Penske, Motion Pro, Cometic, Wiseco, Saddlemen, Competition Werks, Bike Master, Moto Concepts, Joker, Mad Hatter, Pro Plates, Arai, AXO, Royal Publishing, Virus, Hartman Photography, ATI Physical Therapy, GoPro, Spider Grips, Built Clothing, Feedback Sports, Jamis, West Coast Hot Shoes, Impact Armour, NJK Leathers

 
Thanks, B!

 

Brandon Lee Robinson

150 Rock Woods Rd.

Oxford, PA 19363

484-888-9485

Twitter: @BRob44

Instagram: @BRob44

Facebook: Brandon Robinson

Weirbach Racing's Mikey Martin #91 Has Up & Down Start to the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Season

2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Pro Singles Champion Mikey Martin started off the 2015 Bike Week flat track races with super solid results in early March, especially considering that he was still new to his 'old' team's Kawasaki Twins mounts. Martin, who for the last three seasons in the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship series had campaigned the Bonneville Performance Triumphs, switched teams during the off season and is back with the Iowa-based Weirbach Racing team of father-and-son duo Richard and Ted Weirbach who together helped Martin to his first professional championship just over four seasons ago.

The Weirbach team, in just their second season campaigning the Kawasaki EX650 mounts, was quick to help get Martin adjusted to the differences in the 700 and 750cc-based Twins and Martin left the Steve Nace Racing-promoted Savannah and Volusia Half-Mile races with solid finishes of 6th-place and 3rd-place. However, when it came time for Daytona, things went south quick for the former Pro Singles Champ, but not for lack of trying by either Martin or the Hawkeye State boys who have learned to stay tough when the going gets rough in The Rolling Thunder Show.

In the shot above, Martin rips off a lap on the #91 Bonneville Performance/Woody Kyle Racing/Kibblewhite-sponsored Honda CRF450R during one of the qualifying sessions at the Peoria TT on August 11 during the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship stop at Thunder Valley.

Martin failed to make either of the main events in Daytona, but that doesn't and won't deter either him or the Weirbach team. With the Springfield Mile now just less then two months away, all should be ready to heat up the action over the Memorial Day weekend on the team's potent Kawawaskis.

Check out Weirbach Racing's press release below and see what they were up against in their first full week of racing back together again down south in Georgia and Florida. And we wish them the very best of luck in the rest of the upcoming season and know they will get things sorted out once the heat of the season gets boiling!


Press release courtesy of Weirbach Racing, the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Pro Singles Championship team.

Mikey Martin makes his way to a podium finish in second start with Weirbach Racing!

The 2011 Pro Singles Champ wasted no time getting back in the groove
with his old team. This time as a Expert/GNC1 rider. Mikey Martin has
re-joined  Ted & Dick Weirbach owners of Weirbach Racing, the same team that
helped him win his 2011 AMA Pro Singles Championship.

If his 3rd place Expert Twins finish at Volusia Speedway in Barberville, Fla  and a 6th place
on the fast clay 1/2 mile in Savannah, Ga. was an indicator as to how his
season will go, plan to see more podium finishes for this team.

Mikey Martin is shown in action on the #91 Weirbach Racing/Racing Unlimited/General Engineering-sponsored Kawasaki EX650 during one of the Bike Week flat track events leading up to the season-opening rounds of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship on March 12-13. Martin finished the Savannah and Volusia rounds with solid results to show for his efforts in the first time in competition back with his old team that helped him to win the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Pro Singles Championship. Photo courtesy of Weirbach Racing.




Martin, who has spent the first 3 seasons as an AMA Expert/GCN1 rider with
the Bonneville Performance/Castol/Triumph team says he has learned a lot
the past few seasons and is eager to take on the competition.

"I have learned a lot of the past 3 seasons. Making that step from Pro
Singles to Expert Twins isn¹t always easy, but I feel confident that I can
be a contender this season. If we concentrate on consistency and solid
finishes, we will be in the hunt this season. Last year, coming off of an
injury was difficult. This season I¹m better prepared, I¹m more fit and I¹m
focused. I¹m really excited to see what the Weirbach Kawasaki Twin will do
on the Springfield Mile," stated Martin.

Weirbach Racing is also supporting Martin in his 450cc efforts. Finishing
5th at the Savannah 1/2 mile race and 4th at Volusia in the Expert Singles,
Martin knows his Singles rides will improve. The results were not near as
good at the GNC short track in Daytona Beach, Fl. as he failed to make the
main event either night.
 
Martin and Weirbach Racing team wish to thank the following sponsors for
their support:

Racing Unlimited, General Engineering, Barnett, Spectro, Shorai, 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, Supertrapp, TNT Harley Davidson, Yoyodyne, West
Coast Racing, Regina Chain, Pit Posse, Cosmetic Gaskets,
ProFactoryHoses.com, Engine Ice, Chicken Hawk Racing, White lightning
Retrievers, Lightshoe, Paint by Smokey, Ottumwa Honda, Boyesen HP360/Octane
Sports Management.

Weirbach Racing
11350 Dahlonega Road
Ottumwa, Iowa 52501

AMA Pro Flat Track Announces Yamaha to Provide Increased Contingency Awards for 2015 Grand National Championship Season

No, Kenny 'The King' Roberts isn't coming out of retirement to contest the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season, but his former team and sponsor, Yamaha, has announced that they will be providing over $100K in rider contingencies for the upcoming season in The Rolling Thunder Show for riders competing in both the GNC1/Expert Twins and Singles Series, as well as in the GNC2/Pro Series aboard the company's FZ07 and YZ450F machines.

Rumors have been spreading rampantly since late last fall that several teams had acquired the newly released FZ07 engines to set up for the Twins Series events in order to compete at the top level against the long standing XR750 and the XR-killer Kawasaki EX650 that has taken the sport by storm since Bryan Smith's inaugural win aboard a Werner-Springsteen Racing Kawasaki at the Indy Mile in August 2010. Cory Texter showed up for Bike Week aboard a Babe Demay (one of Roberts' former tuners back in the day) built and Memphis Shades sponsored FZ07-inspired mount.

Shown in the shot above, The King distances himself from the field on the #2 Yamaha Factory Racing/Goodyear Tire/Bell Helmets-sponsored Yamaha XS650-based mount at the Terre Haute Action Track in route to his win in August 1976. Notice the rear wheel on Roberts' bike showing visible air underneath due to the rough conditions seen at Terre Haute that eventually led to the series leaving the track due to unsafe conditions after former '81 AMA Grand National Champion Mike Kidd's huge crash during the '77 event that led to Kidd breaking his wrist.

This is top line news for The Rolling Thunder Show as it opens up more chances for riders to pocket extra bucks while riding the marque's new FZ07, which as a parallel twin motor closely resembles the Kawi EX that has taken the sport by storm over the course of the last five seasons, and adds to the competition level in terms of more involvement for the sport and more choices for the teams and riders to work with in campaigning the course of the season. Bravo to Yamaha for stepping up to the plate in order to increase the monie$ available and choices available to go fast and turn left. Thanks goes to Yamaha for getting back into the action even deeper!

Check out the full release below from AMA Pro Racing to read all about the particulars in this great announcement from late last week.

AMA Pro Flat Track riders receive increased contingency commitment from Yamaha

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 19, 2015) - AMA Pro Flat Track riders on Yamaha equipment will benefit from a dramatically increased contingency program by the manufacturer in 2015.   Yamaha has expanded its program to both the premier Harley-Davidson GNC1 class presented by Vance & Hines, and the GNC2 class, offering up to $1,500 for individual riders per race in the top class and $500 in GNC2. A total of $106,400 is up for grabs between both classes for eligible "bLU cRU" riders over the course of the season.   "We can't thank Yamaha enough for increasing their commitment to flat track racing," said Michael Gentry, Chief Operating Officer of AMA Pro Racing. "Strong involvement from the manufacturers is key to keeping our sport among the most competitive in the world. It will help drive future growth, and we are confident any relationship with manufacturers, such as Yamaha, truly is mutually beneficial."   The increased commitment coincides with the recent debut of Yamaha's FZ-07 motorcycle. A number of FZ-07 engines were made available for flat track teams and an FZ-07-powered machine could make its AMA Pro Flat Track debut May 24 at the historic Springfield Mile in Springfield, Ill.         JD Beach on the #95 Van's Yamaha YZ450F is shown in action during the season-opening rounds of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season at the Daytona Short Track earlier this month. Yamaha has announced an increased contingency program for riders in both the GNC1 & GNC2 ranks, both in the Twins and Singles Series, for the season ahead. Photo courtesy of AMA Pro Racing.         "I think AMA Pro is making a big effort to improve flat track racing, get it out there and get public awareness," said Keith McCarty, Racing Division Manager for Yamaha. "Now we have an FZ-07 engine that's going to be able to do well and compete in the twins class. We legitimately have a chance to win a twins championship now, which we really didn't have in the past. At Yamaha, racing is in our DNA, all forms of racing, and certainly dirt track is tied in. We want to be a part of it and show competitors we want to be a part of it by offering increased contingency."   For more information on Yamaha's contingency program, please visit: http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sport/pages/2015-yamaha-off-road-racing-contingency-program   Every round of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track season will be available live, in high definition and free of charge for fans to watch online at www.FansChoice.tv.

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.

AMA Pro Flat Track Announces Additions of Delaware & Charlotte Half-Miles to 2015 Grand National Championship Schedule

The 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season just grew by another two rounds as AMA Pro Racing announced late Thursday that two new venues and races had been added to the series' schedule, bringing the total of races for the season to 16 events.

The Delmar, Delaware and Charlotte, NC Half-Miles were announced as new additions to The Rolling Thunder Show's season, of which the Charlotte event is actually a return for the series after having last visited their during the 2000-2002 campaigns. Delmar is a completely new location for the series.

Not only will the GNC1/Expert riders be competing at speed at these new events, but the GNC2/formerly known as Pro Twins riders and teams will also roll out during these events, giving the junior series league riders another opportunity to taste the speed and endurance it takes to compete in the big leagues of the greatest racing series on two wheels in the world. The Delmar round is slotted into the schedule for September 19 while Charlotte will see the series roll into town on August 29.

In the shot above, riders in heat race #1 sit at the ready for the light to turn green to determine the first three direct qualifying spots in round 14 of the 2014 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season at the Springfield Mile II on August 31.

Ready to blast off are (L-R) Brad Baker on the #1 Harley-Davidson Motor Co/Screamin' Eagle Racing Parts/Dunlop Tire-sponsored factory XR750, Jared Mees on the #9 Rogers Racing/Las Vegas H-D/Blue Springs H-D-backed XR750, eventual heat and event winner Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. on the #2 Zanotti Racing/Moroney's H-D/Burt Ives Honda-sponsored XR750, Sammy Halbert on his #7 South East H-D/White's H-D/Specialty Fabrications-backed Kawasaki EX650, Mikey Martin on the #91 Bonneville Performance/Factory Triumph Racing/Castrol Racing-backed Triumph Bonneville 955, and former AMA Grand National #16 and new for 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track director Ronnie Jones on the #74G Harley-Davidson of Salina/Alpinestars/Arai-sponsored Harley-Davidson XR750.

Last week brought some great news to the series not only with the addition of these two great venues, but with the announcement that Harley-Davidson had jumped on board as the title sponsor for the series for the 2015 season.

You can check out the full press releases below thanks to the folks out of Daytona Beach.









AMA Pro Racing announces addition of Delmar, Del., race to the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track schedule

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 19, 2015) - AMA Pro Racing announced today the addition of a Half-Mile race to the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track schedule, which will be held at Delaware International Speedway in Delmar, Del., Sept. 19.   The addition of the "Roar on the Shore," which will coincide with a popular motorcycle rally in nearby Ocean City, Md., brings the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track schedule to 16 total events.   "We're happy to add a new venue to our 2015 schedule, and to return to the state of Delaware," said Michael Gentry, Chief Operating Officer of AMA Pro Racing. "Grand National Championship events in Delaware date back to 1975, and with the track's proximity to major population centers and a motorcycle rally in Ocean City, we know this will be a very popular event."   Delaware International Speedway, located just north of the Maryland border and a short trip from Salisbury, Md., will be a new venue for AMA Pro Flat Track.   "We're excited to bring the top flat track riders in the country to Delaware International Speedway," said John Zimmerman, one of the promoters of the event, along with Charlie Cathel, Bob Jones, Cher Zimmerman and Johnny Zimmerman.   AMA Pro Flat Track last raced in Delaware in 2002 when it ran a Half-Mile in Harrington, Del. That event was first run in 1975. The First State has seen wins from legends such as Scott Parker, Jay Springsteen and Steve Morehead. Christopher Hart won the last race held in Delaware, aboard a Harley-Davidson.   Both the Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines class and the GNC2 class will be featured at Delmar, and both classes will run twin-cylinder motorcycles.    For more information on Delaware International Speedway, please visit: http://delawareracing.com/DirtTrack/   Every round of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track season will be available live, in high definition and free of charge for fans to watch online at www.FansChoice.tv.

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.

AMA Pro Racing adds the Don Tilley Memorial Charlotte Half-Mile at Charlotte Motor Speedway to 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track schedule

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 19, 2015) - AMA Pro Racing is pleased to announce the addition of a Half-Mile race to be held at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C., on Aug. 29 to its 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track schedule.   The world-class Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway will play host to the best dirt track riders in the world in an event that will be known as the Don Tilley Memorial Charlotte Half-Mile to honor the Harley-Davidson racing icon. Tilley's storied career started in the 1960s. He led several championship teams including the famous Lucifer's Hammer Battle of the Twins Harley-Davidson with rider Gene Church. Tilley maintains the record as one of the most successful racing builders in AMA history.    "Adding Charlotte to our 2015 schedule is very exciting," said Michael Gentry, Chief Operating Officer of AMA Pro Racing. "Not only is the facility top-notch, but its location in the heart of America's racing country means we can expect to see plenty of fans, both new and old. We're also happy to be able to honor someone who had such an imprint on motorcycle racing as Don Tilley."   AMA Pro Flat Track last raced in Charlotte in 2002 in a Half-Mile race won by Kevin Varnes. The two other AMA Pro Flat Track races held in Charlotte were won by Will Davis in 2001 and Mike Hacker in 2000.   "We're excited to bring AMA Pro Grand National flat track racing back to Charlotte," said Steve McLaughlin, of SMI, the company promoting the event. "As we all know, this region of the Carolinas is a world center of racing and there was a real hunger on the part of motorcycle fans to have an AMA Pro Grand National in North Carolina. We're also humbled by the opportunity to get to honor one of the true legends of motorcycling in Don Tilley, my friend for over 40 years. His passing last year left all of us in the motorcycling community mourning and it will be wonderful for fans, family and friends of the Tilleys to be able to come together and not only memorialize a legend, but to also celebrate his life in the way that I'm sure he would have loved."   Both the Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines class and the GNC2 class will be featured at Charlotte, and both classes will run twin-cylinder motorcycles.   For more information on the Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway, visit: http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/dirt/   A Facebook page for the event can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/DonTilleyMemCharlotteHM   Every round of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track season will be available live, in high definition and free of charge for fans to watch online at www.FansChoice.tv.

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.

AMA Pro Flat Track Reviews Daytona Short Track I & II Wins by Stevie Bonsey & Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. in Season-Openers to Grand National Championship Series, Races Now Available for Viewing on VOD

California's Stevie Bonsey started off the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season with a bang by taking his first win in just over three seasons at the Daytona Short Track I round on March 12. The Salinas resident, another great product of the area that has brought us so many great racers in the likes of Ricky Graham, Doug Chandler and Bonsey to name just a few, had last scored a victory in AMA Grand National competition at the Tucson Half-Mile in early October 2011. His win at Daytona makes it three notches on his belt in the premier two wheeled racing series in the world (Cailistoga Half-Mile was the Bonsai man's first win in July 2010.)

In the shot above, Bonsey puts his #80 Mack Daddy Racing/Alpinestars/Confused Clothing-sponsored Honda CRF450R through it's paces during qualifying at the Springfield Short Track at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Multipurpose Arena during the final running of a Grand National event at the great little facility on September 15, 2012.

Bonsey's great romp on Thursday of Bike Week should be a great shot in the arm for him after spending the last two seasons running for the Zanotti Racing team, and jumping back on board with the Dodge Brothers Racing team with which he won his first National with at Calistogo just over four and-a-half years ago. It's great to see a great competitor and another of the nice guys in The Rolling Thunder Show get another win and start the season off so strong. Go get 'em man!

And Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. started off the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season the same way he did last year by winning the Daytona Short Track II event on Friday, March 13. Coolbeth, who apparently some with his former factory team had thought after the 2013 season could be done with winning, joined up with the powerhouse Zanotti Racing team last year and promptly won four races on the season, again showing his dominance in the sport in which he had won three Grand National Twins Championships and a Singles Series Championship during his reign over The Rolling Thunder Show from 2006-2008. Coolbeth showed 'em all at the little short track at Daytona International Speedway that he may be one of the oldest guys on the circuit, but he definitely is not done winning by any means as of yet. Great job man in putting the Zanotti Racing team back on top of the box, again!

In the shot above, Coolbeth wrestles with his #2 Chaplin Kawasaki/Spectro Oils/Wiseco-sponsored Kawasaki KX450F during one of the qualifying rounds at the Springfield Short Track over the Labor Day weekend on September 3, 2011.

Seeing two former team mates take the first two wins of the season made for a great start to the new season ahead, and with both men obviously rejuvenated and ready to keep on winning in their careers is a great shot to the best two wheeled racing series in the world and it's legion of fans.

As we sit through the long break in the series' calendar until the Springfield Mile I in late May, you can check out all of the action and what happened below thanks to AMA Pro Racing and the videos that are available from the season-openers.

Cycle News has a great write-up on the kick off to the new season that you can check out here thanks to Shan Moore.

A big shout out to Stevie and Kenny for their great rides at Daytona, both extremely worthy riders, champions and people and great to see them both get the season started off so strong!

Bonsey, Coolbeth draw first blood in Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines competition at DAYTONA Flat Track

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 17, 2015) - There was no shortage of drama when AMA Pro Flat Track kicked off its 2015 season last weekend with its doubleheader at DAYTONA Flat Track in Daytona Beach, Fla., March 12-13. It proved to be a thrilling couple days of nonstop motorcycle racing action between some of the world's most prominent riders that make up the elite Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines class.   After winning his heat race, but settling for fifth place in Thursday night's Dash for Cash, Salinas, Calif., product Stevie Bonsey earned his first DAYTONA Flat Track win following the night's main event aboard the only Suzuki in the field of 19 riders.   Riding a No. 80 Dodge Bros Suzuki, Bonsey was neck-and-neck with defending Grand National Champion Jared Mees for the majority of the night's Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines main event, which was sponsored by Bruce Rossmeyer's Daytona Harley-Davidson. There were moments during the race when the two tangled so closely that they touched tires on multiple occasions, putting the pressure on Bonsey to be mistake-free for the duration of the race.   Fortunately for Bonsey, he was just that, mistake-free, and was able to counter Mees' valiant attempts at swiping his lead at critical moments late in the race with impressive moves of his own. Unfortunately for Bonsey, he wouldn't find such luck in Round 2, as he finished 18th in Friday night's main event and now sits sixth in the AMA Pro Flat Track point standings.   "I was glued to Stevie's rear wheel and was just hoping for a mistake out of him," said Mees describing his Thursday night second-place finish. "He is a phenomenal rider and he didn't make one, so hats off to him."   Though he came close, Mees never passed Bonsey at any point during the race. The No. 1 Montgomeryville Cycle Center Honda rider was clearly being cautious as he knows that the AMA Pro Flat Track season is a marathon and not a sprint.   "In the end, I played it very safe," said Mees. "I maybe had one shot that I could have gotten in there to pass him but I was waiting for something a little cleaner so I held back. I have a great team behind me and it was nice to perform decently at Daytona, I usually don't come out of the gate so well here."   Like Bonsey, Mees followed up his impressive Thursday night finish with a lackluster 11th place finish in Friday's main event. Mees now sits fourth in the points.   Closing out the podium Thursday night was Kenny Coolbeth Jr. The No. 2 Zanotti Racing Honda rider proved once again that he is getting younger with age, as he followed up his third place finish Thursday night with a monster Friday night main event victory, winning by more than six seconds. The 38-year-old now sits atop the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track point standings heading into Round 3 at Springfield.   Brandon Robinson had one of the better weekends in AMA Pro Flat Track's season-opening doubleheader. The No. 44 T.J. Burnett Farms Honda pilot recorded fourth and second place finishes and currently sits second in points behind Coolbeth.   "I'm happy with second place but at the same time, I let that one slip away," Robinson said following his runner-up performance following Round 2 on Friday night. "Kenny (Coolbeth) went around me and there was nothing I could do with him. He was hooked up and rolling through the center way better than everyone. I know about halfway through the race once I started settling into second that he was going to beat me. I just tried my hardest to finish directly behind him and I'm glad I was able to do that."   Recording sixth and third place finishes last weekend was the No. 7 Fredericktown Yamaha rider Sammy Halbert. One of the more popular riders in the series today, Halbert is off to a fast start in 2015, and his effort to close out the podium on Friday should be a big momentum builder for the Graham, Wash., native.   "It felt good," said Halbert recalling his third place finish on Friday night. "That's what I wanted to do, was get up on that podium. Unfortunately I didn't do that well in the beginning of the race, I kind of worked my way backwards and then I found my groove and started picking riders off. I've got a great team behind me this year so it should be fun."   Halbert leaves Daytona sitting third in the points.   Robert Pearson was a rider that went under the radar all weekend, yet the No. 27 R&R Racing Yamaha pilot recorded impressive fifth and seventh place main event finishes and currently sits fifth in points. Pearson is coming off a season in which he qualified for all but three mains, and the Chillicothe, Ill., native will try to maintain his consistency when the series visits his home state next round.   Last season's DAYTONA Flat Track Round 1 winner, Briar Bauman, didn't have the same kind of luck this time around, but the Hart Racing Honda rider did manage to finish eighth and fifth, and left Daytona seventh in points.   Henry Wiles didn't kick off the season in Round 1 the way he had hoped. His 11th place Heat 3 performance followed by his fifth place Semi 1 finish disqualified him from competing in the season's first main event. However, Wiles rebounded tremendously on Friday with a Round 2 fourth place finish in the night's main event aboard his Zanotti Racing Honda. Wiles now sits eighth in points.   Notable riders who left Daytona on the outside of the top 10 in points include; Jeffrey Carver Jr., who leaves in 11th place in the  standings, Jake Johnson, who leaves Daytona in 12th and Brad Baker, whose 12th and 14th place main event finishes leave him 13th in points.   Round 1 Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines Main Event Results   1. Stevie Bonsey/ Salinas, CA/ Suzuki RMZ 450 2. Jared Mees/ Clio, MI/ Honda CRF450R 3. Kenny Coolbeth, Jr./ Center Hill, FL/ Honda CRF450R 4. Brandon Robinson/ Oxford, PA/ Honda CRF450R 5. Robert Pearson/ Mossville, IL/ Yamaha YZ 450F 6. Sammy Halbert/ Graham, WA/ Yamaha YZ 450F 7. Jake Johnson/ Coatesville, PA/ Kawasaki KX450F 8. Briar Bauman/ Salinas, CA/ Honda CRF450R 9.  Doug Lawrence/ Mississauga, ON/ Honda CRF450R 10. Jake Shoemaker/ Glenmoore, PA/ Honda CRF450R 11. JD Beach/ Philpot, KY/ Yamaha YZ 450F 12. Brad Baker/ Eatonville, WA/ Honda CRF450R 13. Mike Rush/ San Jose, CA/ Honda CRF450R 14. Jarod Vanderkooi/ Mt Gilead, OH/ Honda CRF450R 15. Chad Cose/ Fremont, CA/ Honda CRF450R 16. Bryan Smith/ Flint, MI/ Honda CRF450R 17. Michael Kirkness/ Wauchope, NSW/ Honda CRF450R 18. Scott Baker/ Dryad, WA/ Honda CRF450R 19. Jay Maloney/ Oakland, NJ/ Honda CRF450R   Round 2 Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines Main Event Results   1. Kenny Coolbeth, Jr./ Center Hill, FL/ Honda CRF450R 2. Brandon Robinson/ Oxford, PA/ Honda CRF450R 3. Sammy Halbert/ Graham, WA/ Yamaha YZ 450F 4. Henry Wiles/ Crystal, MI/ Honda CRF450R 5. Briar Bauman/ Salinas, CA/ Honda CRF450R 6. Jeffrey Carver Jr./ Godfrey, IL/ Kawasaki KX450F 7. Robert Pearson/ Mossville, IL/ Yamaha YZ 450F 8. Jake Constantine/ Selkirk, NY/ Honda CRF450R 9. Chad Cose/ Fremont, CA/ Honda CRF450R 10. Johnny Lewis/ Coatesville, PA/ Honda CRF450R 11. Jared Mees/ Clio, MI/ Honda CRF450R 12. JD Beach/ Philpot, KY/ Yamaha YZ 450F 13. Mike Rush/ San Jose, CA/ Honda CRF450R 14. Brad Baker/ Eatonville, WA/ Honda CRF450R 15. Cory Texter/ Willow Street, PA/ Honda CRF450R 16. Jarod Vanderkooi/ Mt Gilead, OH/ Honda CRF450R 17. Wyatt Maguire/ Mead, WA/ Honda CRF450R 18. Stevie Bonsey/ Salinas, CA/ Suzuki RMZ 450 19. Jake Johnson/ Coatesville, PA/ Kawasaki KX450F   Up next The stars of the series will visit Springfield, Ill. for the first Springfield Mile scheduled for May 24, 2015. Fans can get their tickets at http://www.illinoismda.com/. The entire event can also be viewed LIVE at www.FansChoice.tv.   How to Watch:   FansChoice.tv will be the official home for live streaming coverage of AMA Pro Flat Track events in 2015. The site will also provide coverage of IMSA's development and single-make series, and NASCAR's touring and weekly series.

Round 1 Round 2    GNC1 Main Event Thursday GNC 1 Main Event Friday Pre-Race Show Thursday Opening Ceremonies Thursday Opening Ceremonies Friday

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.

AMA Pro Flat Track Round 1 from DAYTONA Flat Track now available for VOD viewing at FansChoice.tv

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.  (March 18, 2015) - The 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track season got off to a wildly successful start with the season-opening doubleheader at DAYTONA Flat Track. The best dirt track riders in the world come together at the "World Center of Racing" to battle it out Thursday for Round 1, and now fans can relive the action at FansChoice.tv.

 

DAYTONA Flat Track I Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines Main Event Thursday Night

 

DAYTONA Flat Track I - GNC2 Main Thursday

DAYTONA Flat Track I - Harley-Davidson GNC1  presented by Vance & Hines and GNC2 Heat Races Thursday

DAYTONA Flat Track I - Harley-Davidson GNC1  presented by Vance & Hines Semis and GNC2 LCQ

DAYTONA Flat Track I - Opening Ceremonies Thursday

 

DAYTONA Flat Track I - Pre-Race Show Thursday

 

Other videos, including heat races and opening ceremonies, can be seen at AMA Pro Racing's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/user/AMAProVids/videos

 

Every round of the upcoming 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track season will be available live, in high definition and free of charge for fans to watch online at www.FansChoice.tv.

AMA Pro Flat Track Round 2 from DAYTONA Flat Track now available for VOD viewing at FansChoice.tv

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.  (March 19, 2015) - After a successful opening night at DAYTONA Flat Track on Thursday, the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track season continued the next night. The best dirt track riders in the world came together at the "World Center of Racing" to battle it out Friday for Round 2, and now fans can relive the action at FansChoice.tv.   DAYTONA Flat Track II - Harley-Davidson GNC1 Presented by Vance & Hines Main Event Friday   DAYTONA Flat Track II - GNC2 Main Friday DAYTONA Flat Track II - Harley-Davidson GNC1 Presented by Vance & Hines and Semis and Dash for Cash and GNC2 Heats and LCQ Friday 2015 DAYTONA Flat Track II - Harley-Davidson GNC1 Presented by Vance and Hines Press Conference Friday DAYTONA Flat Track II - Opening Ceremonies Friday   DAYTONA Flat Track II - Pre-Race Show Friday   Other videos, including all the action from Round 1, can be seen at AMA Pro Racing's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/user/AMAProVids/videos   Every round of the upcoming 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track season will be available live, in high definition and free of charge for fans to watch online at www.FansChoice.tv.

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.