AMA Pro Flat Track & Saddlemen Name Jarod Vanderkooi 2015 Rookie of the Year

Jarod Vanderkooi burst onto the scene in AMA Pro Flat Track in the 2014 season while riding in the former Pro Singles class, winning two points-paying races (Grey's Harbor, Indy) and completely dominating in both runs of the no points-paying Pro Twins races at both Springfield Miles. By the end of the season, he had amassed not only those wins, but four other top-5 and three more top-10 finishes to end the season in the 4th-place spot in the AMA Pro Pro Singles Championship while riding his family-owned and prepped Honda's.

Fast forward one year and the rookie sensation from Ohio was inked alongside Jeffrey Carver, Jr. to ride on the newly revamped Don's Kawasaki team in the newly renamed AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines class. And Vanderkooi accepted the challenge and has had a strong season running against the best of the best in The Rolling Thunder Show.

Although missing two rounds due to not being able to qualify (SF Mile I, Lima), Vanderkooi still has amassed enough points to sit in the 11th-place spot in the championship heading into the final season round in Las Vegas in just shy of three weeks. With two top-5 finishes (Charlotte, Delaware) and two more top-10s to his credit (DuQuoin, SF Mile II), Jarod was able to total enough points ahead of fellow rookie contender Dominic Collindres to garner the nod for the 1st year Expert/GNC1 riders this season.

In the shot above, Vanderkooi works his magic on the #17F Don's Kawasaki/DPC Racing/Floyd Tapp-sponsored Kawasaki EX650 during the second qualifying session at the Lima Half-Mile held at the Allen County Fairgrounds on June 28.

Vanderkooi will be officially announced as the new Rookie of the Year at the season-ending banquet in Las Vegas, and will add his name to a long list of greats to garner that special award like Matt Weidman, Jake Johnson, and Jake Shoemaker, among others. He will receive a special $5K check from Saddlemen for his accomplishments that will help to line his and his team's pockets for their hard-earned efforts for this year's outstanding season.

Check out the full release below thanks to AMA Pro Flat Track, and be sure to put the final round of the season on your calendar for the Flat Track Finals at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Friday, November 20.

Jarod Vanderkooi locks up 2015 Saddlemen Rookie of the Year Award

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 26, 2015) - Jarod Vanderkooi etched his name in AMA Pro Flat Track history by earning the 2015 Saddlemen Rookie of the Year Award after putting together a stellar season competing in the elite Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines class.   The $5,000 Saddlemen Rookie of the Year Award is given to the rookie rider who earns the most points in Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines competition throughout the course of each season, and Vanderkooi will officially receive the award at the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Awards Banquet scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 22 at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. In previous seasons, Brad Baker, Briar Bauman and several other AMA Pro Flat Track riders have earned the prestigious Saddlemen Rookie of the Year Award.   "It means a lot to win the Saddlemen Rookie of the Year Award," said Vanderkooi. "Our goal coming into this season was to finish inside the top ten in as many races as possible and to win this award. To have it wrapped up before the season ended is really cool and it definitely means a lot to me and my team."   Of the 12 main events so far this season, Vanderkooi has qualified for 10 of them, and his 37-point lead over second-best rookie rider Dominic Colindres is insurmountable to overcome with only one round left in the season.             Jarod Vanderkooi is shown on the #17F Don's Kawasaki during action at the Springfield Mile II on September 6. The Ohio resident was announced this week as the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Saddlemen Rookie of the Year. AMA Pro Flat Track photo by Brian J. Nelson.         Vanderkooi got his first taste of Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines competition at the Daytona doubleheader back in March when he finished 14th and 16th to start the season, and after failing to qualify for two of the following three main events at Springfield and Lima, it appeared he was going through some of the common growing pains that most rookie riders struggle with during their first seasons at the highest level of competition.   However, Vanderkooi's "growing pains" didn't last long, as he has qualified for every main event since those two early mishaps and the 17-year-old rookie is looking more and more like a seasoned veteran each time he takes to the track.   As good as the Mt. Gilead, Ohio native has been this year, he has been nothing short of amazing over the course of the last three rounds. Many people would argue that he is tenfold the rider now than he was seven months ago when he suited up for Daytona, and his two top 5's at Charlotte and Delmar are evidence that he is getting acclimated to Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines competition quite nicely.   "My team and I are just learning the bikes a lot more after each round that passes," said Vanderkooi. "Earlier in the year, we didn't know the best setup for our gearing and suspension, but now that we have figured out what works best, I am doing better in the races. We've really gotten it down the past few rounds, I think that is the biggest reason for my success. The biggest difference I'd say between GNC2 and GNC1 is that the GNC1 guys really get off the line quickly. As soon as the lights go green, everybody is going all out. I love it up here and I'm excited to see what the future holds."   Vanderkooi will be gunning for his third top-five performance next month when the stars of the sport gather in Las Vegas for the Flat Track Finale at the Orleans Arena on Nov. 20. Also, since he won the 2015 Saddlemen Rookie of the Year Award, Vanderkooi has been added to the roster for the inaugural running of the Superprestigio of the Americas.    The Superprestigio of the Americas will bring together leading motorcycle racers from various motorcycle-racing disciplines from around the world to compete head to head with the stars of AMA Pro Flat Track on a specially-designed indoor short track at the Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Nov. 21, 2015. For tickets and information, please visit http://www.superprestigio.com.

About AMA Pro Flat Track:   AMA Pro Flat Track is the world's premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on AMA Pro Flat Track, please visit www.amaproracing.com/ft/, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook or live stream the on-track action on FansChoice.tv.   About AMA Pro Racing:   AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.      For additional information contact:   AMA Pro Racing Communications, (386) 492-1014, communications@amaproracing.com

AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Holds 2015 Induction Ceremony in Orlando

The 2015 Yamaha AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Harley-Davidson was held last night in Orlando, FL. as part of the AIM Expo that has been taking place there for the last few days. The new class including former 2-Time World Champion John Kocinski, former 3-Time 500cc World Champion Wayne Rainey, former Ascot AMA Flat Track Champ Alex Jorgensen and the founder of J&P Cycles, John Parham, among others, were inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame during the big ceremony on the east coast of Florida.

In the shot above, former 2-Time World Champion ('90 250cc & '97 World Superbike) & 3-Time AMA 250cc Champion ('87-'89) John Kocinski acknowledges the crowd while being interviewed after taking the win in the Bultaco Cup event at the Springfield Short Track during the Steve Nace AMA National All-Star Flat Track Series event on September 5, 2015 aboard his ultra-sano and hand-built Knight Frame/Honda CR250 'Red Rider' flat tracker. 

Kocinski holds the track record at Perris Speedway in California with this slick machine which is a combination of titanium and carbon fiber, built to the max with help from his father and a combination of race experts in California. To hear this alone sounds like a chain saw on acid with it's big time red line and Kocinski kept it on the pipe all night in winning several events by wide margins against a stacked field of riders including Joe Kopp and Chris Carr.

Kocinski was one of several of the inductees who were enshrined last night in Orlando, and you can check out the full press release below on what went down in Florida during the annual ceremony. A big congrats to all for your accolades last night, they are very well deserved!

AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame inducts six new members, honors one Legend at 2015 induction ceremony

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- October 18, 2015 -- On Saturday, Oct. 17, the American Motorcyclist Association Hall of Fame welcomed the members of the Class of 2015 at the 2015 Yamaha AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Harley-Davidson.

The ceremony, hosted by actor, motorcyclist and AMA board member Perry King, inducted dirt tracker Alex Jorgensen, road racing champion John Kocinski, longtime Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S.A. race team manager Keith McCarty, entrepreneur and industry patron John Parham, off-road racing champion Rodney Smith and former Harley-Davidson CEO Richard Teerlink.  

Also honored was 1999 Hall of Fame inductee and three-time world road racing champion Wayne Rainey as the 2015 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legend, presented by MAG. AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legends are existing Hall of Famers who are being recognized for their ongoing contributions to motorcycling.

"A strong future can only be built on a secure historical footing, and the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is motorcycling's custodian of that history," said AMA Board of Directors Chair Maggie McNally, speaking at the ceremony. "It is the showcase of those who have built the foundation of American motorcycling. Tonight, it's my honor to welcome six more of these amazing individuals into the Hall of Fame."

Following the Hall of Fame VIP Reception, presented by Suzuki, attendees were treated to a video chronicling each inductee's motorcycling accomplishments. Then each new Hall of Fame member was presented with a Hall of Fame ring, sponsored by Zero Motorcycles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2015 (l-r): Rodney Smith, John Parham, Alex Jorgensen, Keith McCarty, John Kocinski (with son) and Richard Teerlink. AMA Hall of Fame photo by Jeff Guciardo.

 

 

 

 

 

"With the greatest resolve, each of these icons has placed an indelible mark on motorcycling's past, present and future," said King, as he closed out the evening's ceremony. "From their motorcycles that set and broke world records, to inventions and innovations that revolutionized an industry, to the stories of hard-fought victories, from the racetrack all the way to the halls of government, each member of the Hall of Fame is an enduring testament to the steadfast and unwavering ability to dream big -- and never look back."

The evening concluded with a roll call for all attending Hall of Fame members to join the class of 2015 on the stage. The tribute drew a standing ovation from the room.

The 2015 Yamaha AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Harley-Davidson, was held in conjunction with AIMExpo. The AIMExpo is a diverse powersports event that welcomes members of the industry, motorcycle media and consumers.

Sponsors of the event included title sponsor Yamaha, presenting sponsor Harley-Davidson, reception sponsor Suzuki Motor of America, ring sponsor Zero Motorcycles, and Hall of Fame Legend sponsor Motorsport Aftermarket Group. Platinum level sponsors included American Honda, BMW of North America, GE Capital and Kawasaki Motors Corp. U.S.A. Manufacturer Elite sponsors were GEICO Motorcycle, Husqvarna Motorcycles and KTM North America. Motion Pro was an Aftermarket Gold sponsor, and Motul and Rea & Associates were Aftermarket Silver sponsors. Service sponsors included AVIS/Budget, Chet Burks Productions and Federal Motorcycle Transport.

John Kocinski

John Kocinski, who began racing as a teenager, won the AMA 250 Grand Prix Championship in 1987, 1988 and 1989 and took the 1989 600 Supersport win at Daytona International Speedway. In 1990, in his first full season with Team Roberts, he won the 250cc World Championship in Europe, claiming eight pole positions and notching seven wins on tracks he had never seen before. In 1997, he won the World Superbike championship, scoring 10 wins on a Honda RC45, the bike's crowning world title.

Kocinski went on to record 18 AMA 250 GP wins. During his career, he raced on teams that included AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame members David Aldana, Erv Kanemoto, Eddie Lawson and Wayne Rainey, including Team Roberts assembled by Kenny Roberts. He officially retired from racing in 2002. Kocinski was inducted into the Hall of Fame in the Road Racing category.

In his induction speech, Kocinski talked about his long career and how it all began with a spark of inspiration, witnessing legendary tuner Bud Aksland work on a Yamaha TZ250 at Daytona in 1982.

"I really can't thank Bud enough for everything he did for me," Kocinski said. "I would like to thank the AMA for being a world-class federation and giving me a place to hone my skills. I want to thank my family for their sacrifices."

Richard Teerlink

Richard Teerlink was part of the executive team responsible for Harley-Davidson's financial turnaround in the late 1980s. As president and CEO, Teerlink helped establish the company's new mission, values, objectives and strategies. His approach included working closely with employees at all levels of the organization, as well as with union leaders. In addition, he believed a participative approach with dealers, suppliers and riders would lead to the development of mutually beneficial relationships.

Teerlink joined Harley-Davidson in 1981 as chief financial officer. That year, the company posted an operating loss of $15.5 million on revenue of $210 million. When Teerlink retired as chairman and CEO in 1999, Harley posted operating profits of $416 million on revenue of $2.45 billion and held nearly 50 percent of the U.S. market for 650cc and larger motorcycles.

"Joining Harley-Davidson as chief financial officer was a life changing experience," Teerlink said. "As CFO and later as CEO, I was able to meet customers face to face, and share the experience and the camaraderie of the open road. And through the Harley Owners Group, my wife and I have had the opportunity to build relationships with riders, customers and friends from all over the world. To be admitted to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is an honor beyond belief."

Rodney Smith

Rodney Smith started riding motorcycles in the hills of Northern California with his family in the '70s. From there, he blossomed into a local motocross standout and then an international contender. Smith accepted an offer to race in Brazil in 1985 and won five Brazilian national championships. He then moved to the world level and finished third in the 1988 Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme 250cc World Motocross Championships before returning to America in 1990.

Back in the United States, Smith turned his focus to off-road racing, where he became one of the most dominant riders of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Smith won 13 AMA-sanctioned national championship series, including five Grand National Cross Country titles, three AMA National Hare Scrambles titles and five AMA National Reliability Enduro Championships. He also excelled in the International Six Days Enduro, winning multiple gold medals, competing on the premier U.S. Trophy Team and twice earning top-American honors.

"From Day 1 when I was a kid, we were just an average family riding dirt bikes," Smith said. "I never thought in those days, that it would come to this. What a great honor. I never thought I would be up here being inducted into the Hall of Fame."

John Parham

John Parham opened his first shop with a partner in 1975 in his hometown of Anamosa, Iowa. Four years later, he branched out with his wife Jill, starting J. Parham Enterprises. This company came to be known as J&P Cycles. By the 1990s, J&P Cycles had grown into one of the largest motorcycle accessory mail order companies in the world.

Parham stayed on board to run J&P Cycles after selling it to Motorsports Action Group in 2001. At that time, he also focused additional energy and resources on preserving motorcycling history. In 2001, Parham relocated the National Motorcycle Museum to Anamosa, where it has continued to thrive and grow into one of the world's foremost motorcycle museums.

"J&P Cycles was successful because of all of our wonderful employees," Parham said. "Everyone's goal was to provide the best customer service that we could, no matter whether it was to the retail customer, your fellow employees, or the companies we did business with. I wish to thank all of our employees past and present."

Keith McCarty

Keith McCarty's first job as a motorcycle mechanic was for U.S. Suzuki in 1973 for rider Mike Runyard. In 1975-76, he wrenched for AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Tony DiStefano, winning two 250cc AMA National Motocross Championships. When the motocross schedule didn't conflict, he worked with the Hall of Fame duo of Erv Kanemoto and Gary Nixon in road racing.

In January 1977, McCarty began his long career with Yamaha as the mechanic for AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legend Bob "Hurricane" Hannah. McCarty has remained in Yamaha's racing division ever since, working as mechanic, supervisor, department manager and, most recently, division manager for all of Yamaha's U.S. racing activities.

McCarty, who lives in Orange, Calif., is known not only for his technical knowledge, but also for inspirational prowess and organizational acumen that transcends racing disciplines, making him not only an asset for Yamaha but also a valued member of the motorcycling community.

"I want to congratulate the other inductees tonight," McCarty said. "I want to thank my Yamaha family. The thing about being in a family is being certain that someone has your back no matter what, though wins and losses. I'm so proud to be a member of the AMA and to receive this honor tonight."

Alex Jorgensen

Alex "Jorgy" Jorgensen exemplifies the talent, skill and diverse abilities that are trademarks of the greatest AMA Grand National competitors in history. Of the handful of riders who have wins in all four dirt-track disciplines -- short track, TT, half mile and mile -- Jorgensen is the only rider who achieved the feat in his first four Grand National wins, while competing on four different motorcycles -- Can-Am, BSA, Norton and Harley-Davidson.

Jorgensen's career boasts a number of special wins. He is the last rider to win an AMA Grand National on a Norton or BSA, both wins coming at Ascot. He earned Can-Am its first AMA Grand National win.

He also logged the first AMA Grand National victory on Rotax's four-stroke single at the Ascot TT. From 1982 to 2004, the Rotax engine would dominate the highest levels of short-track and TT competition. Along with Gary Scott, Jorgensen holds the record of most AMA Grand National wins at Ascot with six.

"I'm very honored to be here tonight," Jorgensen said. "I want to thank all of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers who voted for me. I'm so lucky that I raced motorcycles. It allowed me to meet so many people I wouldn't have. I want to thank the AMA for giving me this chance. It's something I'll remember for the rest of my life."

AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legend Wayne Rainey

Wayne Rainey was the top World Championship 500cc Grand Prix rider of the early 1990s, winning three consecutive World Championships riding for Yamaha in 1990, 1991 and 1992. In addition to his accomplishments on the world level, Rainey was also a star of AMA Superbike racing during the 1980s, winning that title in 1983 with Kawasaki and again for Honda in 1987.

Following a career-ending injury while leading the Italian Grand Prix in September 1993, Rainey, who also was in the points lead for a fourth straight title at the time, returned to the sport the next year as a team owner and manager. Rainey retired from that role following the 1998 season.

Today, Rainey is the president of MotoAmerica, the AMA and FIM North America championship road racing series. Rainey was the motive force behind the creation of the new series, serving as both its inspiration and most prominent advocate, insisting the series was necessary to prepare today's American road racers for success on the world stage.

Rainey treated the attendees on a heartfelt ride through his life, recounting his career from the time he started racing to his U.S. championships to his world championships, his injury, his return as a team owner, and finally his commitment to MotoAmerica.

"I want to thank the AMA for originally inducting me in '99," Rainey said. "It's pretty cool that everybody here tonight is connected through motorcycles. Anything is possible. To my son, Rex, when you go through the challenges of your life, I hope you see how I dealt with tough times and let that guide you."

 

About the American Motorcyclist Association

 

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world's largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders' interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling.

 

For more information, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com.

  

Not a member? Join the AMA today: www.americanmotorcyclist.com/membership/join  

Media contact: James Holter
Phone: (614) 856-1900, ext. 1280
E-mail: jholter@ama-cycle.org

Additional Riders Named to Superprestigio of the Americas Race in Las Vegas on November 21

The promoters of the Superprestigio of the Americas, SMI, announced late last week the addition of eight riders to the field for the big race scheduled at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, November 21.

Among the riders named were Ohio native and soon-to-be-officially announced 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Rookie of the Year Jarod Vanderkooi, California resident and Daytona Short Track winner Stevie Bonsey, and 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track GNC2 Champion and Oregon resident Davis Fisher.

In the shot above, Bryan Smith on the #42 Crosley Brands/Howerton Motorsports/Villa-Esparza-sponsored Honda CRF450R leads Stevie Bonsey on the #80 Cernics Suzuki/Yoshimura/Cliff Racing-backed Suzuki RMZ450, and Jarod Vanderkooi on the #17F Don's Kawasaki/DPC Racing/Woody Kyle Racing-sponsored Honda battle for position during the running of round 10 of the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines series at the Peoria TT on August 16, 2015. Bonsey and Vanderkooi will join Smith among 11 other riders previously announced and announced this past week in the Superprestigio of the Americas race in Las Vegas on November 21.

As of now, a total of 14 riders have been named to take part in the United States' version of the Superprestigio event that pits riders against like-built equipment against one another in a battle royale on a 1/10th mile size track inside the confines of the Orleans Arena in Vegas. 4-Time AMA Superbike Champion Josh Hayes was announced as one of those previously announced riders that also include Jarod Mees, Jake Johnson and Bryan Smith.

Check out the official press release below to get more details on the who, what and when of what should be a super event coming up in Las Vegas in just over a month!


Press release courtesy of SMI Promotions, promoters of the Sacto Mile, Charlotte Half-Mile and the Las Vegas Finals.

EIGHT ADDITIONAL RIDERS NAMED TO SUPERPRESTIGIO OF THE AMERICAS LINEUP

LAS VEGAS (OCT. 16, 2015) – Eight additional riders have been added to the rider roster for the inaugural running of the Superprestigio of the Americas at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015. The eight riders joining those already named are pro flat track racers Doug Lawrence, Stevie Bonsey, Andrew Luker, Justin Jones, Henry Wiles, Jarod Vanderkooi, Davis Fisher and Jesse Janisch.

Those riders earned their way into the Superprestigio of the Americas by either winning AMA Pro Grand National Short Tracks or TTs in both the GNC1 and GNC2 classes this season or in the case of Davis Fisher for winning this year’s AMA Pro GNC2 Championship and Jarod Vanderkooi for being 2015 Flat Track Rookie of the Year. Lawrence earned his way for winning the 2015 Flat Track Canada Championship.

“With the addition of these eight riders we are beginning to fill out what promises to be one of the strongest fields ever assemble for a flat track event,” said promoter Steve McLaughlin, head of SMI. “This group is a combination of solid veteran riders like Henry Wiles, Doug Lawrence and Stevie Bonsey, along with a talented group of up-and-comers like top rookie Jarod Vanderkooi and those riders from the GNC2 class. This will be the first time for some of these young riders to compete against the top GNC1 riders.”

Bonsey was winner of the Daytona 1 Short Track GNC1 race. Luker and Jones were the Daytona GNC2 winners. Wiles gets in for his victory in the Peoria TT as well as Janisch for winning the GNC2 class at Peoria.

These eight join fellow flat trackers Jared Mees, Brad Baker, Kenny Coolbeth, Jr., Jake Johnson, Bryan Smith as well as Superbike racer Josh Hayes as riders already named for the competition. More riders will be named in the coming weeks.

Spots are still open for additional AMA Pro Grand National riders to qualify and some of those won’t be decided until the night before the event.  The two riders who win the GNC1 and GNC2 class in the AMA Pro Flat Track final at the Orleans on Friday night will also gain participation in the Superprestigio of the Americas. More details to come at www.superprestigio.com.

Riders for the most part will be competing on the same short track/TT bikes they in Grand National competition with the use of Mitas Tires, but additionally smaller 250cc machines are also eligible to run in the SOTA’15, so it will be interesting to see if any riders choose to compete on the smaller and lighter 250s on the tight confines of the Orleans Arena floor.

The Superprestigio of the Americas (SOTA’15) will bring together leading motorcycle racers from various motorcycle-racing disciplines from around the world to compete head to head with the stars of AMA Pro Flat Track on a specially-designed indoor short track at the Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Nov. 21, 2015. The special race is part of the big Las Vegas doubleheader weekend with the AMA Pro Flat Track finale taking place the night before (Nov. 20, 2015) on the same track. #VegasFT

For additional information go to www.superprestigio.com or call toll free 1-844-722-6453.

 

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Larry Lawrence
c. (317) 332-3899
SMI Media Rep
Sacramento Mile - May 30
Charlotte Half Mile - Aug 29
Las Vegas Finals - Nov 20
lawrencemedia@hotmail.com

 

 

4-Time AMA Superbike Champion Josh Hayes to Contest Superprestigio of the Americas in Las Vegas on November 21

4-Time AMA Superbike Champion and the second-winningest rider in the series, Josh Hayes, will be turning in his ultra-fast Graves Motorsports Yamaha R1 for a flat track racer as he will be heading to Las Vegas to contest the Superprestigio of the Americas race on November 21 as was announced last week.

Hayes will be joining already announced riders and former AMA Grand National Champions Jared Mees, Jake Johnson, Brad Baker, Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. and 2015 ESPN XGames winner and current contender for the 2015 AMA Grand National Championship, Bryan Smith as the first riders invited for this one-off event set to take place inside the confines of the Orleans Arena the day after the season-finale of the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship series.

In the shot above, Hayes #1 Monster Energy/Graves Motorsports-sponsored Yamaha R1s sit under the team's tent at the MotoAmerica round held in conjunction with the Red Bull Indianapolis MotoGP at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on August 7, 2015.

Hayes, who lost his bid for a fifth title last month to team mate Cameron Beaubier, will be among a stacked field of riders in this endeavor and with his experience in training on the dirt could play into the wildcard factor in the race on the 1/10th mile oval at the Orleans. If you're going to be in Vegas for the AMA Pro Flat Track season finale, you don't want to miss this one, either.

Check out the press release below thanks to SMI, this year's promoters of the Sacto Mile, the Charlotte Half-Mile, the Las Vegas Short Track finale and the Superprestigio of the Americas 2015 race.


Press release courtesy of SMI, promoters of the Superprestigio of the Americas in Las Vegas, November 21

SUPERBIKE RACING LEGEND JOSH HAYES TO RACE SUPERPRESTIGIO OF THE AMERICAS

LAS VEGAS (OCT. 6, 2015) – Iconic MotoAmerica AMA Superbike racer Josh Hayes will race the Superprestigio of the Americas at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015. Hayes will race a Yamaha YZ-450F-based machine in the competition.

Hayes is quite simply one of the most dominant riders in the history of AMA Superbike. His numbers speak for themselves: A four-time AMA Superbike title winner with Monster Energy/Graves Motorsports Yamaha, Hayes is ranked second all-time for AMA Superbike championships, wins, with 58 career victories, and poles, with 37. This season marked the 18th season on the pro circuit for Hayes. He won a series leading 10 races, but came up just four-points shy of winning another AMA Superbike title. Even at the highest level of motorcycle racing Hayes has proved his mettle. He turned a lot of heads with his solid MotoGP wildcard performance at Valencia in 2011 where he finished seventh.

Like many road racers Hayes has used flat track as a form of training to keep him sharp for Superbike competition, so racing on the indoor short track won’t be totally unfamiliar to him, but it will mark his first time racing against some of the best flat trackers in the world.

For Hayes the Superprestigio of the Americas will present a unique challenge.

"When you look at some of the guys coming to compete in Las Vegas, the competition level is going to be extremely high,” Hayes said. ”I’ve raced some local flat track events in Southern California, but I’m definitely putting myself at the low end of the experience spectrum at the Superprestigio. I’m a racer so I’ll go out there and give it my best shot. We all want to be at the top no matter what kind of racing we do.”

Hayes joins AMA Pro Grand National Champions Jared Mees, Jake Johnson, Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. and Brad Baker, along with X Games Flat Track Gold Medalist Bryan Smith as riders already invited to the inaugural Superprestigio of the Americas (SOTA’15).

“I have my own personal bike and Keith (Yamaha racing boss Keith McCarty) has offered to let me test a bike they’ve built,” Hayes explained. “So I’m not sure which one I’ll ride yet. I’m looking forward to racing in Las Vegas and having a lot of fun. I haven’t had a chance to get my focus on getting prepared for the race yet, but that’s coming soon. I still have a little time.”

Saturday night’s Superprestigio of the Americas will be the culmination of an exciting doubleheader weekend of racing. Friday night at the Orleans Arena will witness the AMA Pro Flat Track Final, a race that will decide this year’s AMA Pro Grand National Championship.

Keep posted for future announcements of other riders who will be invited to SOTA’15.

Spots are still open for additional AMA Pro Grand National riders to qualify and some of those won’t be decided until the night before the event.  More details to come at www.superprestigio.com.

The Superprestigio of the Americas (SOTA’15) will bring together leading motorcycle racers from various motorcycle-racing disciplines from around the world to compete head to head with the stars of AMA Pro Flat Track on a specially-designed indoor short track at the Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Nov. 21, 2015. The special race is part of the big Las Vegas doubleheader weekend with the AMA Pro Flat Track finale taking place the night before (Nov. 20, 2015) on the same track. #VegasFT

For additional information go to www.superprestigio.com or call toll free 1-844-722-6453.

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Larry Lawrence
c. (317) 332-3899
SMI Media Rep
Sacramento Mile - May 30
Charlotte Half Mile - Aug 29
Las Vegas Finals - Nov 20
lawrencemedia@hotmail.com

Nicky Hayden Heads to WSBK Championship for 2016 Season with Ten Kate Honda

Honda announces 2016 World Superbike riders Honda has today confirmed the team that will spearhead its campaign in the 2016 World Superbike championship on the CBR1000RR Fireblade SP. Current rider Michael van der Mark will be joined in the team by former MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden. Hayden has been riding in MotoGP since 2003 when he joined the Repsol Honda team and the 34-year-old American has since gone on to start more than 200 Grands Prix, scoring 28 podiums and taking three wins. He won the MotoGP title with Honda in 2006. His strong flat-track racing pedigree, which began at the age of three, eventually led him into road-racing and the young Hayden turned professional on his 16th birthday, halfway through the 1997 season. He won the AMA Supersport series with Honda two years later before turning to AMA Superbike in 2000. He became the youngest ever AMA Superbike champion, taking Honda’s VTR1000SP (RC51) to victory in 2002 at the age of 21. Hayden is relishing a return to his superbike roots in 2016 and to continuing his racing career with Honda in the production-based World Superbike championship. Ultimate success in the series would make him the first rider to win both MotoGP and WSBK titles. He will team up for 2016 with Michael van der Mark, one of the most exciting and talented young riders in the series. The 22-year-old Dutch flyer has followed Honda’s rider development programme in winning both the 2012 European Superstock 600 series and last year’s World Supersport championship on Honda’s CBR600RR. Van der Mark won back-to-back Suzuka 8 Hours races in Japan in 2013 and 2014 and has scored three podiums to date in his rookie World Superbike season on the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP with the final round coming up in Qatar on 18 October. The team will begin testing for the 2016 World Superbike championship season in November with two scheduled tests in Spain which will be Hayden’s first opportunity to familiarise himself with his new Honda CBR Fireblade. Nicky Hayden Well, my next stop is Superbike with Honda! I’m very excited, obviously, to stick with Honda; it’s where I’ve had the most success in my career. World Superbikes is a championship that I followed closely as a kid when a lot of American riders were fighting at the front. It just seems like the right time and the right team to go with. I know I’ve got a lot to learn and it’s going to be a big challenge, but also I’m very motivated to start and learn what I can. I’d like to say thanks to everyone who has supported me through my MotoGP career. We had a good run but now it’s time to move on and try something different. Michael van der Mark I’m really looking forward to 2016 already! This season we have made a lot of progress with the CBR and I think that taking my experience on the bike from every track will be a very good base to start from. We’ve really improved the bike even more over the last couple of rounds and that has put us close to the front, which is what we’ve been aiming for throughout the year. The next target of course is a victory but I think that in my second season on the CBR I can be confident that we can make some more podiums and fight for wins. I’m happy to hear that Nicky will be my team-mate next year and I think we’ll be able to learn a lot from each other during the season. Marco Chini – WSBK Operations Manager, Honda We are of course delighted to announce that Nicky Hayden will be Michael’s team-mate on Honda’s CBR Fireblade machine in the 2016 World Superbike championship. The team has worked really hard this season, continuing the development of the bike together with Cosworth’s electronics and we are really happy that this endeavor has translated into strong performances from both riders, particularly in the last few races. These results have demonstrated the great potential that remains in the CBR and I’m happy that they may have influenced Nicky’s decision to join our programme. We are confident that the wide experience he has gained at the highest level of our sport can help the squad to continue the development, the momentum and the team-work that has been established this season and translate that into further positive results. Ronald ten Kate – team manager It’s well known that, at Ten Kate, we always have been and always will be Honda. There is only be one person in the world who could possibly be more Honda than us, and that’s Nicky Hayden! That’s why I’m absolutely delighted that he’ll be joining us for next season. He was AMA Superbike champion with Honda and we’re really looking forward to bringing him back to his superbike roots. By working together and using all our combined resources, I hope that in the future we can make him the first world champion in MotoGP and World Superbike. We are also looking forward to combining Nicky’s experience with young Michael, who has shown really good pace and huge potential on the CBR in his first season. I think you can safely say that I’m more than happy with the line-up we have for 2016! All information © Honda Racing 2015 For more copyright-free media please visit media.hondaproracing.com or email media@hondaproracing.com

Title Fight for the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National GNC1 Championship Heads to Las Vegas Short Track Season-Ender on November 20

With last week's announcement that the penultimate round of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship at the Calistoga Half-Mile had been canceled, fans, riders, teams and sponsors alike will now have to wait just over a month and-a-half for the season's championship battle outcome when the series will hit the Las Vegas Short Track on Friday, November 20.

With the loss of the event in wine country in California, that leaves just three men with a mathematical chance at the 2015 AMA Grand National GNC1 Championship, Jared Mees, Bryan Smith and Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. And although most count The King of Cool out in terms of the title fight, he still has a chance to take the crown being down 20 points to title leader Jared Mees (188-168 points), with Smith seven points (181 points) in arrears of Mees, who has held his stranglehold on the series title since the Lima Half-Mile round in late June.

In the shot above, Mees puts the fire to the coals on his #1 Montgomeryville Cycle Center/Rogers Racing/National Cycle-sponsored Honda CRF450R during the National main at the Peoria TT on August 16 during what ended up being round 9 of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship GNC1 Harley-Davidson presented by Vance & Hines series.

Mees season has been nearly flawless in defense of his 2014 AMA Grand National Championship title. With only two finishes out of the top-10, an 11th-place (Daytona ST II) and a 17th-place (Charlotte Half-Mile), The Jammer's only other 'bad' result was an 8th-place finish at the most recent event at the Delaware Half-Mile. Otherwise, Mees' results have all been top-4 finishes, including his win at the Black Hills Speedway in South Dakota in August, and his only 4th-place finish was at Lima in late June. Otherwise the defending title holder has landed on the podium a remarkable eight times this season.

The man who has been trying to wrestle the title away from Mees the last two seasons, 2013 AMA Grand National Champ Brad Baker three seasons ago, and Mees as well during the 2012 season, Bryan Smith has seemed to have been dealing with doing all of the chasing during the last five seasons in which he has been with the Howerton Motorsports/Villa-Esparza/Crosley Brands team since their first season together in 2012. But that hasn't been a totally bad thing, as Smith has managed to win more races and has also collected two AMA Grand National Twins Series titles along the way, and has seen the team grow from a mile track dominant winner to a title chase force, as well.

Last season's title would/could have gone Flyin' Bryan's way if not for a broken sight glass window that caused his Kawasaki to start spewing smoke, therefore being shown a black flag which at the end of the season saw him lose the title to Mees by a scant three points after losing the title to Baker by 17 points in the 2013 season.

This season's DNS at the Daytona ST II round (therefore scoring zero points), a 16th-place finish at Daytona I, an 11th-place finish at Peoria (to Mees runner-up finish behind Henry Wiles) and a rare 14th-place finish due to a broken shifter at the Delaware Half-Mile have caused this season's 5-time winner to fall behind in his pursuit of that elusive #1 plate. It's a testament to his and his team's abilities that he is still closely in the hunt, a hunt that will go down to the wire in Las Vegas on November 20.

In the shot above, Smith works his magic on the #42 Crosley Brands/Howerton Motorsports/Kawasaki-sponsored Honda CRF450R during his heat race at the Peoria TT on August 16, 2015.

If anyone got a bad break from the cancelation of Calistoga, let alone the rain-out at Hagerstown earlier in the season (after having won Kawasaki's first half-mile at H-town during the 2014 season) it would be the former Flint, MI. resident. But you won't hear him or any of the Howerton boys complaining about that, they'll let their rider do his talking ON the track.

Former 3-Time AMA Grand National Champ Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. still has it going on in his third decade of running in The Rolling Thunder Show, and most recently just won his 35th event at Delaware moving into the 5th-place spot on the all-time wins list after winning the Daytona II round in mid-March. And of note, Coolbeth is the last man to have won an indoor short track (DuQuoin April 2011), which even as the elder statesman of the sport could work in his favor heading to the bullring in Las Vegas in November.

One of the most popular riders in the sports' history, The King of Cool has been doing this for some time now, and in his second season riding for the powerhouse Zanotti Racing team is still showing a lot of the youngsters how to get it done in the greatest racing series on two wheels in the world. With finishes of 17th-place (Lima), 15th-place (Indy) and a DNS at Peoria, Coolbeth's worst finish of 7th-place (SF Mile I) leaves all of his other finishes in the top-5. Not bad for the old guy on the circuit!

In the shot above, Coolbeth heads out for practice on the #2 Zanotti Racing/Gator Harley-Davidson/Chaplin Honda-backed Honda CRF450R at the Peoria TT on August 16, 2015.

It's going to be a long wait for the final round of the season, but when it gets here everyone will be fired up and ready to go to see the greatest racers in the world do battle like bulls in a china shop on the indoor short track in Vegas, and when the dust, smoke and bar banging is done, the best man will walk away with the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship GNC1 Harley-Davidson presented by Vance & Hines crown, and the others will be right there celebrating along with him, because in this sport, everyone shares in the fun and the excitement.

A big thanks to AMA Pro Flat Track for the dual press releases below, outlining the title battle, and the new format that has been announced for the fight in the bullring at Vegas. So read on and before you know it, November will be here and the championship battle will hit the floor in Vegas baby!

Defending champion Jared Mees will enter AMA Pro Flat Track Season Finale in Las Vegas with seven point lead over Bryan Smith in premier Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines class

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Sept. 30, 2015) - The 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines championship will be decided in Las Vegas, on a purpose-built short track inside the dome of the Orleans Arena on Friday night, Nov. 20.

 

Defending champion Jared Mees has put together another monster year and he'll enter the season's final round with a seven point advantage over Bryan Smith and a 20 point edge over Kenny Coolbeth Jr. in the standings.

 

The rivalry between Mees and Smith this season has been nothing short of fascinating, and the two will duke it out one final time on a track that neither have competed on before, and under a modified format specifically tuned for the purpose-built short track, which measures in at just under a tenth of a mile. Mees will ride the No. 1 Montgomeryville Cycle Center Honda CRF450R in Las Vegas and Smith will pilot the No. 42 Crosley Radio Honda CRF450R in a last-ditch attempt to steal his first-career Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines championship with one round to go.

 

Mees and Smith's rivalry is evidenced by the fact that both have finished within one position of each other four times this season, including three occasions where they finished one-two at both Springfield Miles and the Du Quoin Mile, with Smith winning all three races over Mees. Though Smith has recorded five wins to Mees' one this season, Mees is the one who will be licking his chops come Nov. 20, as he has proven to be far more superior in Short Track races than Smith throughout the course of their prolific careers.

 

Mees finished second and 11th to begin the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track season on Daytona's Short Track, while Smith finished 16th and failed to make the second main event of the doubleheader that weekend. In the only other non-traditional Half-Mile or Mile event this season, Mees came up short in an attempt to break Henry Wiles' streak of 10 consecutive Peoria TT victories and had to settle with second. As for Smith, much like at Daytona, he was never able to gain any kind of momentum on his Honda and as a result, finished 11th at Peoria.

 

There is little doubt that on paper, Mees appears to be the clear-cut favorite to claim his third Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines championship in four years. He's in his prime and racing for everything on a short track with a seven-point lead against a competitor (Smith) whose Achilles heel has been these types of races.

 

Not so fast. Though he hasn't had the same kind of success that Mees has had on short tracks, Smith is still a GNC1 racer and a very skilled one at that, and seven points is not insurmountable by any means.

 

This will be the first time that anyone in the field has competed at the Orleans Arena, and with the newly-implemented event format specifically tuned for the evening, anything can happen.

 

The magic number for Smith is eight, as he will need to earn eight or more points than Mees in Las Vegas in order to earn the championship.

 

There have been two instances this season where Smith has gained eight or more points than Mees in a single race. The most recent occurrence happened at the Charlotte Half-Mile on Aug. 29, when Smith earned the victory, Dash for Cash win, and Lap Leader and was awarded 25 points while Mees suffered a mechanical and finished 17th, earning just two points.

 

If anything close to what occurred in Charlotte were to transpire in Las Vegas on Nov. 20, then Smith would be crowned champion.

 

There are multiple scenarios that could determine the fate of the two championship hopefuls at the season finale. If Smith wins at Las Vegas, and Mees finishes third or worse, then Smith would earn the championship over Mees, assuming neither competitor receives a Dash for Cash point or Lap Leader point. Furthermore, if Smith finishes second at Las Vegas, he would need Mees to finish seventh or worse, an unlikely scenario, in order to claim the No. 1 plate. If Mees finishes second or better, he will claim the championship regardless of Smith's finishing position. If both Mees and Smith were to end the season with the same amount of points, then Smith would earn the tiebreaker, which is based off of wins recorded in 2015, and win the championship.

 

The bottom line is that it's likely a 'win or bust' situation for Smith in Las Vegas, and considering the fact that he's won more races than any other rider on the circuit this season, he's probably up to the challenge.

 

Regardless of the outcome next round, Smith and Mees, along with the rest of the AMA Pro Flat Track competitors, have put on a remarkable show all season long, and the highly-anticipated Season Finale in Las Vegas will culminate the 2015 season perfectly.

 

For tickets and information on the AMA Pro Flat Track Season Finale, please visit http://www.orleansarena.com/event-calendar/ama-pro-flat-track.

 

The AMA Pro Flat Track Season Finale is part of a big doubleheader weekend, which will also feature the inaugural Superprestigio of the Americas on Saturday night Nov. 21, an event bringing together the leading AMA Pro Flat Track racers to compete against top domestic and international riders from other disciplines of motorcycle racing. For additional event details visit http://www.superprestigio.com/. 

 

About AMA Pro Flat Track:   AMA Pro Flat Track is the world's premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on AMA Pro Flat Track, please visit www.amaproracing.com/ft/, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook or live stream the on-track action on FansChoice.tv. About AMA Pro Racing:   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

Event Format Announced for AMA Pro Flat Track Season Finale at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas

Short Track to feature single-cylinder motorcycles, 12-rider grids and B Mains in both classes

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (September 28, 2015) - AMA Pro Racing officials announced today that the AMA Pro Flat Track season finale, scheduled for Friday, Nov. 20 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, will feature a modified event format specifically tuned for the purpose-built short track. Riders will end the season on their single-cylinder machines and fans can expect to see an action-packed day with more racing than a typical Grand National Championship event due to the addition of B Mains for both Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines and GNC2.

 

The track created under the dome of the Orleans Arena will be designed by seven-time Grand National Champion Chris Carr. Measuring in at just under a tenth of a mile, the circuit will support a maximum grid size of 12 riders in each session as opposed to the standard 18 rider grid. Carr expects it to be like a "fist fight in a phone booth," with blazing-quick laptimes and non-stop action.

 

The modified grid sizes will result in more on-track drama and by the end of the night, fans will have seen 15 races. After the Heat races get the crowd fired up, the GNC2 riders will try their hand at a pair of Semis just like their counterparts in the elite Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines class. As a bonus, there will be B Mains for both classes to give riders one final shot at making the Main Events. If a rider has trouble early on, the B Main will be their chance to get back into the hunt, as the winner and runner-up will head to the night's main event.

 

Any Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines riders that elect to use a provisional start card will be granted a spot in the B Main, meaning they'll still have to race their way to a main event start. In order to provide an equal number of points-paying opportunities, championship points awarded to positions 13th through 18th in a typical event will be awarded to riders finishing third through eighth in the B Main.

 

For tickets and information on the AMA Pro Flat Track Season Finale, please visit http://www.orleansarena.com/event-calendar/ama-pro-flat-track. The AMA Pro Flat Track Season Finale is part of a big doubleheader weekend, which will also feature the inaugural Superprestigio of the Americas on Saturday night Nov. 21, an event bringing together the leading AMA Pro Flat Track racers to compete against top domestic and international riders from other disciplines of motorcycle racing.

About AMA Pro Flat Track:   AMA Pro Flat Track is the world's premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on AMA Pro Flat Track, please visit www.amaproracing.com/ft/, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook or live stream the on-track action on FansChoice.tv. About AMA Pro Racing:   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