Ramspur Winery Santa Rosa Mile to be Season-Ending Event for AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship on September 25

Another piece of the puzzle in the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship schedule came together late yesterday with the announcement that the people behind Ramspur Winery and SDI Insulation will be promoting the return of the Santa Rosa Mile in what will be the season-finale for the 2016 season on Sunday, September 25.

Located at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, CA., the event will see the stars of The Rolling Thunder Show return to the track last raced at during the 2012 & 2013 seasons, as well as adding another top notch west coast and California event to the series schedule. The event weekend will also include Amateur and Pro-Am short track racing on the two days prior to the National race season finale, to make it one big weekend of fun and racing.

In the shot above, riders line up for heat race #3 during the running of the Indy Mile in round 7 of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines series at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on July 11.

(L-R) Kayl Kolkman on the #98 JetTuning/Dream Scape Engraving/KSU-sponsored Kawasaki EX650, Doug Lawrence on the #73 Glidden Racing/Dreyer Motorsports/Tucker Rocky-backed Kawasaki, Jake Shoemaker on the #55 Bonneville Performance/Castrol/Triumph-sponsored Triumph Bonneville, Briar Bauman on the #14 USC/Hart Racing/Stevens Racing-backed Kawasaki, Johnny Lewis on the #10 Lloyd Brothers Motorsports/Ducati.net/Vintage Motorcycles-sponsored Ducati 1100 and Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. on the #2 Zanotti Racing/H-D Motor Co/Gator H-D-sponsored XR750 take their place on the front row prior to the drop of the go flag.

Also seen in this shot in the back, right is Jay Maloney on the #12 MRT/Avila/Speed & Strength-sponsored Kawasaki EX650.

This is great news for the riders, teams, sponsors and fans of The Rolling Thunder Show, the greatest racing series on two wheels in the world. With this race now over 3 1/2 months out it gives everyone on board plenty of time to book their plans and reservations in order to make things come together at a wonderful venue that has always been well received by everyone involved.

Thanks to AMA Pro Flat Track for this wonderful news that you can check out below in their full press release. And don't forget, this coming Thursday, March 10 and Friday, March 11 the season gets off to a roaring start with the Daytona Short Track doubleheader.

Ramspur Winery Santa Rosa Mile Announced as 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Season Finale September 25

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Mar. 4, 2016) - AMA Pro Racing is pleased to announce that the Ramspur Winery Santa Rosa Mile will serve as the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track season finale. The Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, Calif. will play host to the top dirt track motorcycle racing talent in the world on Sunday, September 25 where the next Grand National Champion will be crowned. The promotion team of Terry Otton, of Ramspur Winery and Steve DeLorenzi, of SDI Insulation, Inc., has secured the entire Sonoma County Fairgrounds for last weekend in September to present a trifecta of racing. On Friday, September 23 and Saturday, September 24, the Chris Beck Arena will feature evening Amateur and Pro-Am Short Track competition. On Sunday, AMA Pro Flat Track action will take over the grounds and the battle for the championship will begin. "We are thrilled and honored to bring back such a prestigious race," said Otton. "Steve and I are excited to be returning this picturesque mile, three-day event to the schedule with a fresh approach and high expectations. Our team is committed to top level event production, improving our fan experience and providing the best racing possible. It will contain more excitement for the fans, more opportunities for the riders and more exposure for the industry. We, in collaboration with AMA Pro Racing, intend to set the bar with this finale, in order to showcase and initiate the evolution and broadening of the sport for 2017." "To be able to stage our finale in Santa Rosa is absolutely ideal," said Michael Lock, CEO of AMA Pro Racing. "We are delighted to be able to bring the curtain down on the season at a classic Mile venue and in the heart of the bay area, where there are thousands of passionate flat track race fans." The mile race will bring a new level of excitement to fans and riders alike, as the promoters plan to deliver a variety of family-friendly entertainment over the course of the weekend. More information on the Ramspur Winery Santa Rosa Mile will be available in the coming weeks. Next Up: The 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track season will once again kick off with a doubleheader at the DAYTONA Flat Track during Daytona's Bike Week festivities. The twin short track races will take place at the "World Center of Racing" on Thursday and Friday, March 10 & 11. For additional information and to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Events/2016/DAYTONA-Flat-Track/DAYTONA-Flat-Track.aspx. How to Watch:   FansChoice.tv is the official home for live streaming coverage of AMA Pro Flat Track events. The site also provides coverage of IMSA's development and single-make series, and NASCAR's touring and weekly series. Catch all the action at http://www.FansChoice.tv. 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

Kerr Graphix Releases 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Twins Series Review Video

Round 5 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season roars into action as heat one blasts off the line at the Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima, OH. 

Leading the pack off the line is Sammy Halbert on his #7 South East H-D/The South Ass/Mo Vaughn Transport/LZ Racing-sponsored XR750.  Slammin' Sammy would go on to finish 2nd in the 8-lap race to qualify for the National behind heat-winner Jeffrey Carver, Jr. on the #23 Kiesow Racing/Hall's Cycles/Eddie Adkins/Sponseller-backed XR, with charging Briar Bauman (and eventual 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Saddlemen Rookie of the Year) on the #10Z Rod Lake Racing/USC Racing/Burnett Farms/Hart Racing-sponsored Kawasaki 650R rounding out the top-3.  Don Taylor on the #53 Deeley H-D/Parts Canada/Clares H-D/Taylor Mechanical-backed XR (partially obscured behind Halbert #7) rounding out the top-4 with a direct transfer to the 25-lap National main.

Kayl Kolkman on the #98 Wieblers H-D/Roy's Taco House/Don Camlin/Glens Autobody-sponsored XR would end up 6th in the heat, but would qualify for the National main later via one of the semi races.

Also pictured is Dustin Crow on the #61 Greg Crow Racing/Salina H-D/Peoria Motorcycle Club/Arai-sponsored XR, Adam Carpinello on the #58 Pilot Racing/BYB Racing/Weiss Racing/Moroney's H-D-backed XR and Bradley Hazel on the #41 Pete Allen/RJ1 Engines/Pure Attitude Active Wear/Silkolene-sponsored XR.

One of the regular photographers that follows the midwest Nationals, Ken Kerr from Kerr Graphix has released his year-end review video of his work from the Twins Series events this past season.  While we are now just over 70 days away from the season-opening rounds in Daytona, this is a great time to keep and stay geared up for the season ahead with Ken's year-end wrap-up.  Check it out below!

A big thanks to Ken Kerr/Kerr Graphix for this great compilation video from the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship Twins Series.  Ken does a heckuva job covering the majority of the midwest Nationals, and offers photos, rider cards and posters through his website.

Please take the time to check out his vast catalog here:

http://www.kerrgraphix.com/#/page/home/

In this shot taken at Lima, I give Ken a hand with the quilt his wife put together out of some his event t-shirts from over the years.  Later in the evening one of Ken's photos that he had mounted on canvas was raffled off for the Aid to Injured Riders fund.  Photo courtesy of Larry Lawrence/The Rider Files.com.

Kolkman & Bonsey Take Wins in Round 1&2 of Gene Romero's West Coast Flat Track Series in Vegas

Kayl Kolkman muscles his #42E Kawasaki Simi Valley/MEH Corp/Troy Lee Designs/Barnett-sponsored KX450F during practice for round 14 of the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship Series at the Peoria TT on August 21.  The California resident missed the cut for the National main after qualifying 34th out of the 39 riders on hand, and 10th place finishes in his heat and semi race that kept him out of the 19 rider main event.  He did however qualify for both the Salinas TT and the Springfield Short Track to earn himself a full National number for the upcoming 2012 season, so he will be able to drop the 'E' from his number plate.

Kolkman started the 2012 season off strong by winning his heat and the Open Class 'A' Main over the weekend at the South Point Casino rounds of Gene Romero's West Coast Flat Track Series, taking home the win in round 1 on Friday the 13th over a field that consisted of both Halbert Brothers and Brad Baker out of Washington State, Mikey Rush, Brandan Bergen and '10 AMA Pro Flat Track Pro Singles Champion Jeff Carver.

You can check out some video action below of Kayl taking home a heat race win over the weekend at the South Point rounds thanks to Miriam Deitcher and her Flat Track Live from Facebook and YouTube.
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Steve Bonsey on the George Mack-prepped #80 MDR Racing/Alpinestars/Arai/Rod Lake-sponsored Honda CRF450R starts to clear out in front of a pack of riders during the National main event of round 7 of the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship Series at the Springfield TT in late May.  Bonsey sailed home to a 4th place finish on the day in only one of six National main appearances on the season while running a limited schedule.  Trying to keep the former AMA Pro Flat Track Rookie of the Year in sight are #49 Chad Cose, #28 Shaun Russell, #39 Matt Burton and #20 Matt Weidman.

Bonsey was another National number holder who made the trip to Las Vegas over the weekend to take part in the WCFTS rounds at the South Point Casino.  Riding a Dave Zanotti-prepped Zanotti Racing Honda CRF450R, Bonsey missed the main on Friday night after coming home 3rd in the Trophy Dash behind Sammy Halbert and Friday's 'A' main winner, Kayl Kolkman. 

But he turned it around with a win in the 'A' main on Saturday, besting Kolkman, Mikey Rush, Jethro Halbert and Brad Baker.  Congrats to the Salinas, CA. resident for turning it around on Saturday night!
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Brad Baker is shown just before rider intros at round 7 of the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship Series at the Springfield TT on May 30, as former National #23 Kevin Atherton rolls the soon-to-be Rookie of the Year's #12 EBC Brakes/Arai/CP Carillo-sponsored Honda CRF450R out to the starting line.  Baker would go on to bring home a 9th place finish on the day after a third row start. 

The Bullet made the trip to Las Vegas for the first two rounds of Gene Romero's West Coast Flat Track Series at the South Point Casino, and came away with a 2nd place finish on Friday the 13th and a 5th place finish on Saturday night.  His bike broke in the heat race on Saturday, so Baker was forced to qualify for the 'A' main by racing the semi, LCQ and 'B' main in order to make the field.
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Round 1/Friday January, 13-Open Class 'A' Main results

1. Kayl Kolkman, Ventura, CA
2. Brad Baker, Chehalis, WA
3. Mike Rush, Gilroy, CA
4. Sam Halbert, Graham, WA
5. Jake Mataya, Blaine, MN
6. Jethro Halbert, Graham, WA
7. Jimmy Monaco, Modesto, CA
8. Brandan Bergen, Caruthers, CA
9. Smokin Joe Winston, Laguna Hills, CA
10. Ryan Foster, Sunnyvale, CA
11. Brady Mueller, Port Orchard, WA
12. Bailey Fox, Graham, WA
13. Kris Bunch, Fresno, CA
14. Jeff Carver, Alton, IL
15. Eric Rickman, Orting, WA

Round 2/Saturday, January 14-Open Class 'A' Main results

1. Stevie Bonsey Salinas, CA
2. Kayl Kolkman Ventura, CA
3. Mike Rush Gilroy, CA
4. Jethro Halbert Graham,
5. Brad Baker Chehalis, WA
6. Brady Mueller Port Orchard, WA
7. Bailey Fox Graham, WA
8. Sam Halbert Graham, WA
9. Jimmy Wood Redlands, CA
10.  Brandan Bergen Caruthers, CA
11.  Shawn Raggio Stockton, CA
12.  Jeff Carver Alton, IL
13.  Scott Baker Eatonville, WA
14.  Jake Mataya Blaine, MN
15.  Ryan Foster Sunnyvale, CA


Vintage Flat Tracker (VFT.org) posted some pictures from Friday and Saturday's rounds 1&2 at the South Point Casino in Las Vegas.  As of this posting on 1/16/12 they were right at the top of the page.  You may have to scroll down as time goes on to get to them, but they are marked clearly for this first round of events for the WCFTS 2012 season:

http://www.vft.org/

Miriam Deitcher who runs the Facebook Flat Track Live page, posted a few videos from the weekend's festivities at South Point in Vegas.  Check them out below on YouTube!

Steve Bonsey's 'A' main win for round 1 of Gene Romero's West Coast Flat Track Series from Saturday, January 14:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EixKhzhO_4

Kayl Kolkman's heat race win at South Point in Vegas:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXqayhmWmtM&context=C36e5742ADOEgsToPDskKc8swkXGJ5TqOFF-8OH7VI

(Note-there are a few other videos that Miriam has posted from Vegas on YouTube that you can check out along the right side column.)

And you can keep up with what is going on in the world of flat track racing here via Miriam's Flat Track Live on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/FlatTrackLive

And here is Gene's official site for the WCFTS:

http://wcfts.com/
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