AMA Flat Track: Kawasaki Shows the Love to 8-Time Peoria TT Winner Henry Wiles

Round 9 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season saw 2-Time Singles Series Champion Henry Wiles add to his string of wins at the fabled Peoria TT as the 7-time and defending event winner again took home all the gold aboard his #17 Don's Kawasaki/DPC Racing/Nick Nazzisi/Schiller's Tree Service-sponsored KX450F.  Shown during final qualifying squirting it into turn two and all but ready to pop the rear DT-8 off of the rim, Hammerin' Hank added to his record-tying wins at the track, not to mention his overall win list in the State of Illinois.

Heading into round 11 of the season this coming Saturday, the series is set to hit what in all likelihood will be the last AMA Pro event on the Springfield Short Track for the near future.  For 2012 the IMDA is taking over running of the 'nights before' events over the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends and will feature amateur races and Steve Nace Racing Promotions-helmed 'mini Nationals' or All-Star races, with a double mile round scheduled for Labor Day Weekend.

But the main question will be, can Henry Wiles be beaten at Springfield after winning five straight on the short track and four of five on the TT (Wiles was forced to sit out the May '11 event due to knee injuries and surgery)?  In a few short days we will know as The Rolling Thunder Show heads to the Multipurpose Arena on the Illinois State Fairgrounds for Saturday night's running of the Springfield Short Track, and the last Singles Series event of the 2012 season.

While we are waiting for this jam-packed weekend of racing in the best racing series on wheels in the world, check out the great stuff that Kawasaki put up a few days back to help celebrate Henry's 8th win at the Peoria TT.  And a big thanks to Mean Green for showing the love to Henry and AMA Pro Flat Track!

Thanks to Kawasaki for this link to the news and a few shots of Hammerin' Hank putting it to them at the Peoria TT on August 12, 2012:

http://www.kawasaki.com/Racing_News/Article.aspx?id=1891

AMA Flat Track: Henry Wiles Returns to Dominance at Springfield TT Singles Series Event

Round 3 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season saw Henry Wiles atop the podium again after winning his fourth event in the last five outings at the Springfield TT event on Saturday, May 26.  Wiles missed the '11 event at Springfield due to injuries he sustained at round 3 at the DuQuoin Indoor Short track and his subsequent surgery needed to repair his left knee.

Riding the #17 Don's Kawasaki/DPC Racing/Nick Nazzisi/Schiller's Tree Service-sponsored Kawasaki KX450F, Hammerin' Hank again had a stellar evening at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in winning the Dash for Cash (shown on the podium talking with AMA Pro Flat Track announcer Scottie Duebler and receiving the ceremonial Dash check for $1000) and romping to the win in the National main by over 3.6 seconds over runner-up Jake Johnson and 3rd-place finisher Jared Mees, who finished just shy of .6 seconds back of Jersey Jake.

The 2-Time AMA Pro Flat Track Singles Champion made it look easy in taking the lead right from the drop of the green, stretching his lead over the dueling 'J's' throughout the 25-lap main event while even lapping riders towards the end of the just over 10 minute National.  With his fourth win on the TT at the Multipurpose Arena at Springfield, that brings Wiles' total of wins on the little track to nine events, to go along with his string of five straight short track wins ('07-'11.)  Add those wins together with his dominance at the Peoria TT and Wiles now has 16 wins on the small tracks in the Illini State.

Congrats to Henry for a great run from Saturday night, and you can read the full press release below from AMA Pro Flat Track.

Henry Wiles Claims Victory in Springfield TT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (May 26, 2012) - Near record heat hit Round Three of the AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com and Lucas Oil as the Series resumed at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The Illinois Motorcycle Dealers Association built a very challenging TT track inside the beautiful multi-purpose arena. As challenging as the track was, the results were familiar. Don's Kawasaki's Henry Wiles captured his fourth win on the Springfield TT and his 21st Grand National victory, tying him with Joe Kopp for 13th on the all-time win list.  "I knew I had to get a good start because it was really hard to pass. We had a good heat race result so I had a good starting position", said Wiles. "I was able to get the hole shot, but I knew someone was right there for a while. I just kept telling myself, 'go faster, go faster,' pretty soon they weren't there." Henry Wiles returned to dominance at the Springfield TT on Saturday, May 26 after missing last year's round due to his recovering from his injuries suffered at the DuQuoin Indoor Short Track.  AMA Pro Flat Track photo by Dave Hoenig. Defending Grand National Champion Jake Johnson had his Zanotti Racing Honda in second, but couldn't run down Wiles' Kawasaki. Johnson soon had problems of his own as Honda-mounted Montgomeryville Cycle / National Cycle's Jared Mees tried everything to get around number one. Despite all the bouncing and banging, the top three positions were locked in place. Sammy Halbert (Fredericktown Yamaha) was over six seconds back of the leaders holding onto fourth over fast qualifier Jeffery Carver (Carver's BBQ / Twigg Cycles), Brad Baker (Big Ed Beckley / Kenny Tolbert Racing) and points leader Matt Weidman (DFW Honda / Snip) all in a tight group for the whole race. Stevie Bonsey (Alpinestars /Mack Daddy Racing), Briar Bauman (USC Kawasaki / Rod Lake Racing) and Scott's Powersports Johnny Lewis rounded out the top ten. AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles As competitive as the AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com and Lucas Oil class was, the AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles class was even harder. 77 Pro Singles riders attempted to qualify for the 32 starting positions in the two heats. Eventually the field was trimmed to 18 riders for the 16-lap Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles Main. Fun Mart Cycles / Rod Lake's Gerit Callies weathered several restarts to capture his second win of 2012 as he officially led all 16 laps of the race. Markbilt Race Bikes / Eyeballnyc.com's Eric Stump got several hole shots, but just could not hold Callies back. Stump was able to stay right on the leader's hip and finished less than half a second back. Morris Racing / Mach 1's Dominic Colindres was even closer after passing Jason Isennock (Highs Dairy Stores) for third on lap nine.  Isennock was able to hold on to fourth over Ryan Foster (Motion Pro) and Jake Shoemaker (Montgomeryville Cycle Center), all less than two seconds behind Callies. Point Standings and Year-End Award Updates After three rounds, Matt Weidman leads the AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship point standings. Weidman and Jared Mees both have 60 points, but Weidman has one win, giving him the top spot. Sammy Halbert sits 10 points back with Daytona winner Johnny Lewis one more back. 2011 Rookie of the Year Brad Baker rounds out the top five, 15 points off the lead. Gerit Callies led much of the 2011 Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles season and once again finds himself on top of the points. Despite missing this weekend's AMA Pro Flat Track round to race with AMA Pro Road Racing, Hayden Gillim holds on to second 13 points down. Hunter Taylor, Jason Isennock and Ryan Wells are all bunched in third through fifth. The MotoBatt "Hard Charger" Award for the Springfield TT went to Brian Bauman, who started in 18th position and battled his way to ninth by the end of the GNC main event. The Cortech "Performance Edge" Award is locked in a three-way tie heading into Round 4. Johnny Lewis turned the fastest lap of the race in Round 1 at Daytona, Sammy Halbert in Round 2 and last night, Henry Wiles added himself to the fray with a blazing time of 23.660. The standings for the Sunoco "Go The Distance" Award, given to the Expert rider that covers the most distance during the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track season, are currently led by Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. Coolbeth has completed 159 laps so far this season, covering 82.5 miles in the process.

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 Flat Track: Henry Wiles Shows the Way at Springfield TT Again

After missing the 2011 round at the Springfield TT due to recovering from his DuQuoin injuries and surgery, Hammerin' Hank Wiles returned to what could very well be another win streak on Saturday evening in round 3 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season.  Wiles, riding his #17 Don's Kawasakie/DPC Racing/Nick Nazzisi/Schiller's Tree Svc-backed Kawasaki KX450F made it look easy even after a red flag restart in winning his 4th event at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Mutltipurpose arena in the last 5 outings, and by a margin of 3.693 seconds over runner-up Jake Johnson and another .625 seconds over 3rd-place finisher Jared Mees.

Wiles had it dialed all night, and his only missive for the day was in qualifying, where he still nabbed the 3rd spot behind fast-man Jeffrey Carver, Jr. and PJ Jacobsen.  Henry went on to win his heat and taking the points and cash for the Dash for Cash win by almost 1.4 seconds over Johnson and Mees again.

With a good crowd on-hand in what could be the last of the TT events at Springfield after the IMDA announced in January they would be discontinuing it and the Labor Day weekend short track, 55 riders took a timed qualifying session for the National main.  Red flag delays throughout the evening caused the program to run later then normal on the evening, but I don't believe anyone had to take any rides to the local hospital--thankfully!

You can check out the full results here and after the weekend we'll have more on the great night at Springfield:

http://results.amaproracing.com/live/results/pdfresults/ft/2012/F1210/default.aspx

AMA Flat Track: Read Up & Check Out the Video on Monster Energy Kawasaki's Henry Wiles' 7th Peoria TT Win

Henry Wiles shows the form that earned him and his #17 Monster Energy/Jones Bros./Don's Kawasaki/Shift Racing-sponsored KX450F his 7th win in a row at the Peoria TT during qualifying for round 14 of the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship Series on Sunday, August 21.  The 2-Time defending Singles Series Champ came back from knee surgery in late April to again show the rest of the entrants in The Rolling Thunder Show that he is a major force to be reckoned with on the infamous Peoria amphitheater track. 

Even with what was described by him as an 'ill handling' machine he was able to lead all 25 laps of the National main event to win every race since the 2004 running of the long-time event on the series' calendar.  Don't look for that streak to stop anytime soon!
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Check out Larry Lawrence's coverage of the Peoria TT below at Cycle News.com. 

A big thanks to LL for putting up with me this year in our travels to four venues and seven races to see The Rolling Thunder Show put on the best show in racing on wheels in the world!

http://cyclenews.coverleaf.com/cyclenews/20110823#pg29

Kawasaki Racing filed this report of Henry Wiles' 7th win in a row at round 14 of the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship Series event at the Peoria TT:

http://www.kawasaki.com/Racing_News/Article.aspx?id=1679

And check out Monster Energy Kawasaki's video of Henry's Peoria TT win here:

http://www.kawasaki.com/Racing_News/Article.aspx?id=1686
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AMA Flat Track: Henry Wiles Talks Return to Peoria & Rehabbing After His Surgery

Henry Wiles looks down at his machine-and probably also checking his knee and leg-at the DuQuoin Indoor Short Track on April 16, while waiting for rider intros for the National main event in the Southern Illinois Center at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds.  Round 3 of the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship Series saw the defending 2-Time AMA Pro Flat Track Singles Series Champion suffer leg & knee injuries during his heat race, that by the end of the month, had forced him under the knife with reknowned California surgeon Dr. Ting, and into a rest and rehab program that would stretch to almost three months long.

At the dawn of the return to the Peoria TT round of the series schedule, there are many that probably wonder whether Hammerin Hank will be able to return to form on his #17 Monster Energy/Don's Kawasaki/Shift Racing/Jones Bros.-sponsored KX450F and win his 7th event in a row in Peoria, IL.  Wiles first Grand National win, and first at Peoria, came in August 2004 (the 2007 event was rained out) and the man has been all but unstoppable since, not only in Peoria, but in just about any other event hosted by the IMDA folks in the State of Illinois.  But as has been mentioned several times in the last week by myself, and Tyler Porter over at Fight For Dirt Track.com, this IS the same man who came back from having broken both wrists several years ago to again, dominate at the Peoria TT.

You can bet that Henry will be ready to go when practice rolls out of the gate at the Budweiser Grand National TT event at 1030 CT this morning.  In the mean time, check out what The Hammer had to say this week when he talked with the folks at his main sponsor, Monster Energy, about his return to Peoria.  And if I were a betting man, I sure wouldn't bet against Hammerin Hank today!
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Thanks to the folks at Monster Energy for this great interview with 6-time Peoria TT winner Henry Wiles, as he talks about rehab after his surgery in April, and his return to the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship Series:

http://www.monsterenergy.com/us/en/news-events/monster-energy-backed-ama-flat-tracker-wilesrsquo-back-in-the-saddle-again/
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And don't forget, you can follow all the on-track action here via AMA Pro Flat Track's Live Timing and Scoring.  The riders hit the track at 1030 CT Sunday morning:

http://live.amaproracing.com/ft/

Here is the link to the event info at round 14 of the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship Series at the Peoria TT:

http://amaproracing.com/ft/events/event.cfm?year=2011&eid=2011021165

And you can also follow the action from Peoria via Miriam Deitcher's Flat Track Live @ Facebook, as she posts photos, videos and results from the day's events at the Peoria TT:

http://www.facebook.com/FlatTrackLive
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AMA Flat Track: Henry Wiles Talks AMA Flat Track Singles Championships and More

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2-Time AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Singles Champion Henry Wiles hoists the winners check on the podium after winning the Dash and clinching his second Singles Championship in the process at the Springfield Short Track round of the AMA Pro K&N Filters presented by Motorcycle Superstore.com Grand National Championship Series on September 4, 2010. Henry's team owner, former Grand National Championship full-time competitor Ronnie Jones (and former National #16) can be seen in the background right on his #74G Jones Brothers Kawasaki getting ready to roll out for one of the final semi races of the evening. Ronnie missed the main that night, but Henry again won it all on the night to close out the Singles Series events for the 2010 season.
The Monster Energy/Jones Brothers/Shift Racing/Don's Kawasaki-sponsored rider has pretty much owned the Singles Series side of the Grand National Championship Series the last few years, and in particular the '09-'10 seasons. In winning every round held in the State of Illinois in the 2010 season, plus his win at the Gas City Short Track in June of '10, Wiles has set the bar in the class.
No one has won more events overall in the last two seasons in the series, and his win on the Lima Half Mile in late June of 2o10 also showed the rest of the competition that his Twins Series prowess isn't to be overlooked, either. Riding for the Mike & Eddie Atkins H-D XR750 team during the 2010 Twins Series season, consistency, however, was up and down the charts, and missing the main at the Lucas Oil Indy Mile at the end of August pretty much quelled any chance of making a run at the overall championship. If the stars align properly for this young man, that could very well change in the upcoming season.
The personable young man who calls Clio, MI. home, is still working on putting a competitive Twins Series effort together for the 2011 season. With just over three months left before the first Twins event kicks off the season on May 1 in Arizona, Dave Lloyd of Lloyd Brothers Motorsports, is still working diligently to put together sponsorship to bring Henry back into their fold on a full-time basis. With their past efforts on the Aprilia together, this could be a team 'made in heaven' should all of the particulars fall together, and if/when it does, could vault LBM and Hammerin' Hank to the top of the championship contenders list for that coveted Grand National Championship, and would very likely give the rest of the competitors in the series a big target to shoot for while they are chasing them down. Stay tuned!
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With just over six weeks to go before the first event of the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Series season at Daytona on March 10, 2-Time AMA Flat Track Singles Champion Henry Wiles is still in the process of putting together a competitive Twins Series program for the year. Yes, he will be returning with the Monster Energy/Jones Brothers Kawasaki team for the Singles Series events, but the Twins Series events are still up in the air.

With his results up and down the charts on the big bikes during the 2010 season, Henry's program for the upcoming season is still hanging in the balance, and sponsorship availability is also still being worked out to bring Henry and the Lloyd Brothers Motorsports team together for a run at the 2011 AMA Flat Track Grand National Championship. Dave Lloyd is still working on putting together the needed sponsors to get Hammerin' Hank into the team's fold again full-time for the upcoming year. Should this all fall together for this great group of people in time for the first Twins Series event on May 1 at Yavapai Downs in Prescott Valley, AZ., it could be the coming of a great run at the overall championship in the series for the 2011 season. Having worked together in the past on the Aprilia effort, and Henry having ridden recently for the team at the Stockton Mile late last fall, the familiarity and comaraderie between LBM and Henry could and would most likely prove to be unbeatable on the big tracks.

This could really stir the pot in the series for the upcoming season, and we will be bringing you the news if/when this falls together straight from Dave himself. Last word over the weekend was that there were 'three potentials taking serious looks' at the LBM program for a run at the 2011 season, although at this time no guarantees as of yet.

We're keeping our fingers crossed for this group of fine people and hoping that the stars align-and the dollars start rolling in-to bring this great effort together, in what could help to be an even better year in the AMA Flat Track Grand National Championship Series then what we saw in the 2010 season. And if that is possible, you better get your ticket punched now because The Rolling Thunder Show is getting ready to amp up into a swift and fast run.

Don't miss out on this great series and the great movement overall expected this year!
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Paul Carruthers has this interview from earlier this month with Henry at Cycle News.com:

http://www.cyclenews.com/articles/flat-track/2011/01/15/interview-henry-wiles-wanting-the-grand-national-championship
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Adam Waheed posted this interview with Henry earlier this month over at Motorcycle USA.com:

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/779/8972/Motorcycle-Article/Henry-Wiles-AMA-Flat-Track-Interview.aspx
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I had to throw this great pic in of Henry on the Lloyd Brothers Motorsports Aprilia at the Lucas Oil Indy Mile from the 2009 season, taken by Tim White. Hopefully this is another flash of great things to come in the upcoming season:

http://tswphoto.blogspot.com/2010/12/wednesday-wallpaper-mille-mile.html
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Mike Lloyd of the Lloyd Brothers Motorsports team talks about their 2010 season with Joe Kopp in the seat of the team's Ducati 1098. LBM and Kopp made history in May 2010 by winning the Arizona Mile on the big twin, being the first manufacturer other than Harley-Davidson to win a Twins event since Rich King won the Joliet Half Mile on a Corbin Honda RS750 in August of 1998:

http://www.vimeo.com/17893126
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You can still reach Dave Lloyd @ 614-402-3446 to help sponsor this super group for the 2011 season!
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