AMA Pro Flat Track Sacramento Mile Round on May 21 to Feature Springer vs. Parker in Clash of the Titans Exhibiton Race

SMI, the promoters of the Sacramento Mile for the last couple of years, announced last week that their annual race at the Cal-Expo Fairgrounds this year to be held on Saturday, May 21 will feature another exhibition race involving former 3-Time AMA Grand National Champion Jay Springsteen.

For the last couple of years, Springer has been paired up with former 7-Time AMA Grand National Champion Chris Carr in these exhibition rounds that have proved to be very popular not only with the fans on hand but with the racing community overall.

This year's match-up however will involve the all-time winner in AMA Grand National Championship racing history as none other then 9-Time AMA Grand National Champion Scott Parker will be running alongside his fellow Michigan resident in what will surely be another great, bar-to-bar exhibition race that will pit the former factory Harley-Davidson team mates against one another.

In the shot above, Springsteen can be seen standing over Bill Werner as the 13-Time Grand National Championship winning tuner makes some final preps to the #28 and #33 Werner-Springteen Monster Energy/Wosner Pistons/Motion Pro-sponsored Kawasakis of riders Shaun Russell and JR Schnabel at the Lake Odessa Half-Mile on July 23, 2011.

If you haven't already gotten your tickets, which went on sale in late December, now is the time to start getting those purchases made. Not only will the regular roar of the Rolling Thunder Show be an event within itself to attend, but with the addition of Parker and Springsteen going at it in this exhibition round will surely get your adrenaline pumping!

You can check out the full details below of the big clash in May thanks to SMI.

Clash of the Titans III: Scott Parker Joins Jay Springsteen at the Sacramento Mile

Springer vs. Scotty at Cal Expo on May 21, 2016

 

SACRAMENTO, CA (Jan. 21, 2016) – Having met former rival Chris Carr for the last two years in the Sacramento Mile’s Clash of the Titans, three-time AMA Grand National Champion Jay Springsteen returns this year. Springer will now face friend and fellow Michigan racing legend, nine-time national champ Scott Parker, in Clash of the Titans III, at this year’s Sacramento Mile on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at Cal Expo. 

Springsteen is undefeated in this friendly exhibition competition, but now he’ll be up against Parker, the all-time winningest rider in AMA Pro Flat Track history. One thing is certain, fans are in store for a treat getting to see two of the biggest legends in the history of the sport going bar to bar around the historic Sacramento Mile. 

Jay Springsteen is considered one of the best AMA Grand National flat-track racers of all time. Bursting onto the scene and earning the AMA Rookie of the Year Award in 1975, Springsteen won three consecutive AMA Grand National Championships starting in 1976. In 1982 he became the first rider to reach 30 wins in AMA Grand National competition – a feat he accomplished at the Sacramento Mile.

Scott Parker’s nine titles and 94 national wins made him the all-time leader in championships and wins in AMA Grand National history when he retired in 2000.  Parker, who rode for the factory Harley-Davidson flat track team for most of his career, was considered the undisputed King of the Mile. His 55-career wins on mile flat tracks was more than double that of his nearest competitor. Parker won the prestigious AMA Athlete of the Year Award three times during his 22-year racing career.

 “The Clash of the Titans is becoming a tradition of the Sacramento Mile,” said Steve McLaughlin, of Team SMI, the group promoting the event. “We’re thrilled Scotty and Jay are coming out to be a big part of the 51^st running of the event. Not only will the fans get to see these two icons of the sport at speed around the Mile, there will also be opportunities to meet with Jay and Scotty to get photos and autographs. These are two of the most beloved riders in all of motorcycle racing, not just here, but globally, and we’re pleased to be able to bring them together for this unique meeting.” 

The AMA Pro Grand National Championship series is one of the longest running motorcycle racing championships in the world. On the long straights of the Sacramento Mile top speeds can reach 130 miles per hour. Flat track racing has produced many of America’s Motorcycle Grand Prix Champions such as Kenny Roberts, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Kenny Roberts, Jr. and Nicky Hayden. Visit www.sactomile.com to keep up with all the latest on the event.

For additional series info visit: www.amaproracing.com/ft
Via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SactoMile
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sactomile
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/sactomile

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*** 2016 Ticket Information: Ticket information is available for the May 21, 2016 Sacramento Mile at www.sactomile.com.

Fans can order tickets online at http://www.sactomile.com/tickets, or by calling 1-844 SAC MILE (1-844- 722-6453).

AMA Pro Flat Track: Weirbach Racing's Rob Pearson Files His Sacramento Mile Race Report

Rob Pearson and the #27 Weirbach Racing team had a strong result last weekend at round 5 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season at the Sacramento Mile.

Parking the team's Harley-Davidson XR750 for the evening, they brought out their potent Suzuki SV650 for the evening's events, where 'Bugs' was able to bring the Iowa-based team an 8th-place finish for their efforts for the day at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds-hosted event.

In the shot above, Pearson is shown on his #27 American H-D/Matt Reecy Racing-sponsored XR750 at the Lake Odessa, MI. round of the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season at the I-96 Speedway, heading out for the day's first practice session along with Bryan Smith on his #42 Moroney's Fasthog.com XR and Sammy Halbert on his #7 Kings Kustoms XR.

Pearson and the Weirbach Racing team released their Sacramento race report today, which you can check out below.

A big congrats to Rob and the team for a solid effort last weekend, and you can check them out next as they head to the Pacific Northwest to contest round 6 of the season at the Castle Rock TT this Saturday, August 3.


Press release courtesy of the Weirbach Racing AMA Grand National Championship contending team with rider Rob 'Bugs' Pearson.

July 27, 2013 the Sacramento Mile

We made it to Sacramento Friday after racing in Champaign, IL Wednesday night during the fair and that was a long drive in 2 days. 

We had a good night Wednesday at the cushion half mile in Champaign bringing home second to Sammy Halbert.

Sacramento started out like usual, a light cushion until eventually taking rubber and grooving up around the bottom.  Qualifying didn't go as planned, after being around 8th overall the first 2 sessions, during the last session the track was prepped after our group and made for way faster times.  This put us 21st overall and gave me a 2nd row start in heat 3.

Rob Pearson is shown on the #27 Weirbach Racing/KDM Forest Products/Michael King/General Engineering-sponsored Suzuki SV650 during action at round 5 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season at the Sacramento Mile on July 27.  Photo courtesy of Weirbach Racing, by Ken Kerr/KerrGraphix.com.



Fortunately the Weirbach Racing SV650 got off the line great and I made it from the 2nd row to take a 2nd-place finish in the heat. Our heat race finish was good enough to get a spot in the Dash for Cash where we finished 5th. 

I got a decent start in the main event and ran as high as 6th, battling for most of the race with Jake Johnson and Kenny Coolbeth.  I didn't save any tire for the end of the race and eventually had to settle for an 8th place finish. 

Rob Pearson on the #27 Weirbach Racing/KDM Forest Products/Michael King/General Engineering-backed Suzuki SV650 in action during round 5 at the Sacramento Mile on July 27.  After qualifying in the 21st spot out of the 32 riders that took a timed lap at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds-hosted event, Pearson got a 2nd-place finish in heat #3 behind heat, Dash and National main event winner Bryan Smith, and followed that up with an 8th-place finish in the National main later in the evening.  Pearson sits in the 9th-place overall spot in the championship standings heading to round 6 this Saturday, August 3 for the running of the Castle Rock TT.  Photo courtesy of Weirbach Racing, by Ken Kerr/Kerrgraphix.com.



We ended up having a pretty good day after qualifying as far back as we did.

Now we are getting ready for Castle Rock, WA. this weekend and I'm ready to get back on the Honda and put it on the podium.

Hope to see you at the races.  
 
Special thanks to all our sponsors:

Weirbach Racing, General Engineering, Mike King/KDM Forest Products, Spectro,
DynoJet, K&N, Saddlemen, Works Connection, PMP Sprockets, Motion Pro, Spider
Grips, Durelle Racing, Cheney Engineering, G2 Ergonomics, All Balls Racing,
Firecoat Custom Powderworks, CP Pistons and Carrillo Rods, Web Cams,
Foudree's Graphics, Sunoco, Pro Wheel, Supertrapp, TNT Harley Davidson,
Regina Chain, Factory Backing, Pit Posse, Cosmetic Gaskets, The Baggots,
PMC, ProFactoryHoses.com, Engine Ice, Chicken Hawk Racing, White lightning
Retrievers, R&R, Hinson, Grandprix, Shoei, Lightshoe, Country Saloon, Paint by
Smokey, Racing Unlimited, Needa-website.com, Shorai, Boyesen

#27 Rob “Bugs” Pearson

AMA Flat Track: Matt Weidman to Ride DFW Honda in Singles Championship, GCR H-D XR750s in Twins Series for 2012 Season

2008 AMA Pro Flat Track Saddlemen Rookie of the Year Matt Weidman looks over his notes during the break in the on-track action at round 11 of the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season at the I-96 Speedway Half-Mile in Lake Odessa, MI. on July 23.  Matt's Dad, Guy, takes a breather in between the team's #20 White's Harley-Davidson/SNIP/Shoei/Silkolene-sponsored XR750s.

With Mom (Rachel) and Dad having retired from the long and hard grind of the circuit at the end of the 2011 season, Matt will be going it alone without the long-time help of his family and faithful at-the-track supporters for the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track season.  After finishing in the highest spot in his four year career with an 8th-place finish in the overall season standings, Matt has steadily improved over the course of his young career in every season of competition.  During the 2010 season, Matt finally got that long-awaited and hard-fought podium with a 3rd-place finish at the Lima Half-Mile in late June, bettering his finish at the same track by coming home 2nd behind winner Sammy Halbert in the 2011 season.

Matt started off the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season with a career-equal 2nd-place finish at the season-opening round at Daytona back in March, finishing a close runner-up to first-time winner Johnny Lewis.  Proving that he has had it in him from the day he first turned Pro, in round 2 the next evening at Daytona Matt finally nailed that elusive first-time win in front of a big crowd at the World Center of Speed.

With rounds 3 & 4 scheduled for this weekend (May 26-27) at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, Matt just made the official announcement that he won't be completely alone in his quest to win the AMA Grand National Championship, by announcing he will be sponsored for the remainder of the season by DFW Honda in the Singles Series events and will that he also will be teaming up full-time with GCR to ride their H-D XR750s in the 11 Twins Series events. 

This is great news for the New York State resident, who is one of the hardest working and most approachable people in The Rolling Thunder Show.  Congrats to Matt and we can't wait to see him twist it up at the Springfield TT and Springfield Mile I rounds over the Memorial Day weekend coming up.

You can read the full press releases below thanks to Matt, DFW Honda and Greg Crow Racing!

Matt Weidman #20 Press Release

May 22, 2012, Westerlo, NY

DFW Honda sponsors Matt Weidman in the AMA Pro Racing Singles Series

DFW Honda, located in Grapevine, Texas next to DFW Airport (hence the name-DFW Honda) has been owned by Mark Lamb since 1994.  The dealership has a history of supporting various types of racing such as: Motocross, Cross Country, Baja, Enduro and of course, Flattrack.  DFW Honda sponsored top riders like Chris Carr and Terry Poovey.

Mark Lamb told Matt that he wished he had been a part of Matt’s Daytona 2^nd place Podium and 1^st Place Victory, but is happy he will see DFW Honda on the CRF 450 Shrouds- as the primary sponsor for Matt’s Singles Program for 2012.  Matt recently picked up his brand new DFW 2012 Honda CRF450R and is getting it race ready for the next AMA Pro Flat Track Singles Series round at the Springfield TT.

DFW Honda in Texas is proud to announce '08 AMA Pro Flat Track Rookie of the Year Matt Weidman as their premier Expert-sponsored rider for the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Singles Series season.  Promotional photo courtesy of DFW Honda and Matt Weidman.

Matthew has a great deal of respect for Chris Carr, taking his #20- to follow in Carr’s shoes as a young pro and is pleased to be working with Carr’s ex-Sponsor, now that Chris is retired from racing.  Matthew has been financially responsible for his race program for the past two years and is very grateful and excited for this sponsorship opportunity.  Geremy Crow will be Matt’s mechanic at the AMA Pro races, while Dave Koban, who has been Matt’s engine builder since the KX60 days will continue to build his 450 motors.

If you live in the state of Texas, or are just passing by, stop in and visit Mark and the whole crew at DFW and check out their spectacular Honda Powerhouse Dealership.  Also, if you are a fan of Flattrack, remember to thank Mark and his family when you see them at the races, (they attend several of the GNC races each year) for the support they give to Flattrack racing.

Matt Weidman #20 is shown in action on the way to winning his first-ever AMA Pro Flat Track National main event at round 2 of the 2012 season at the Daytona Short Track.  Promotional photo courtesy of Matt Weidman.

Visit: www.DFWHonda.com for more info.

 

Press Release

Greg Crow Racing (GCR) will Team up with Matt Weidman for the 2012 AMA Pro Racing Twins Series


Greg Crow has been involved in racing for almost 40 years as rider, mechanic, engine builder, team owner- you name it- he’s done it!  In 2005, he purchased a Dirttrack Team from longtime friend and sponsor, Steve Gardner.  Geremy Crow, now 29 yrs. old, has been in mechanic training his whole life and is being groomed by dad to take over as the team’s tuner.

He currently works for Reiman’s Harley Davidson during the weekdays and on weekends can be seen at the track.  He has been his brother’s (Dustin) mechanic both in Motocross and Dirttrack for many years.  Dustin has been racing many years; he started in Motocross and then switched to Dirttrack several years ago and earned his grand national number, #61.  Dustin is a big help to the team off the track, working in the garage preparing bikes along with brother and father, making this a true family team who loves motorcycle racing.

The final member of the CGR team is Tort, who has been Greg’s lifelong friend as well as his mechanic years ago.  Tort works with the others in the garage all week and usually can be seen driving the GCR Truck to the races. 






 

 

 

 

 








Matt Weidman is shown in action at the Canterbury Park, MN. mile event during the 2010 AMA Pro Flat Track season on board one of the GCR Harley-Davidson XR750s.  Promotional photo courtesy of Matt Weidman and GCR.

Steve Beattie has also been a long time friend of the Crow family and contributes to their overall success as he helps with suspension, bike set up, etc.. Steve has been a mentor to Matthew, racing with him since Matt was a 14 yr old Pro in Canada, while teaching Matt how to finesse a Harley XR750 around the Canadian Cushion Tracks.

At 20 years old, this will be Matt’s 5th year as a GNC Expert Pro and he remains the youngest rider in history to advance through the tree tiered system from Pro Sport -to Expert -to GNC, while still just 16 years old.  He won Rookie of the Year his first year as a GNC Pro and has finished top ten in the twins points every year since.  He has ridden for his parents on their Harleys for the past few years and now that mom and dad have retired from the racing scene, he is on his own.


Matthew rode the GCR Harley at the Minnesota Mile in 2010 and had his best ever Mile finish- 5th place.  The GCR Team and Matt worked very well together and have talked the past couple seasons about racing together full time.

Matt will ride for GCR this year on their Harley XR 750 twins and Geremy Crow will also be Matt’s mechanic at the singles races, while he rides the DFW Honda CRF450Rs.  Geremy, along with the rest of the GCR Team enjoyed their first Victory with Matthew in Daytona.

White’s Harley Davidson, owned by Joe and Donna White is the team's Harley sponsor and they are excited to once again help Matthew with his Twins program.

Check out www.mattweidman.com as well as www.whitesharley.com for more information.

AMA Flat Track: Lloyd Brothers Motorsports & AMA Pro Racing to Raffle Another Buell for Air Fence Fund at 2012 Twins Series Events

One of the hardest-working teams in the AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com series is the Lloyd Brothers Motorsports team, but judging by this shot taken in between qualifying and the heat races at the I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, MI. on July 23, 2011, it could leave the casual observer thinking different.  But never take one short period of time or one instance to make you think otherwise, as these guys stay pretty busy, on the track and off.

Team co-owner Dave Lloyd, crew chief Dave Gamble, frame fabricator Lyle Pizzino of VMC Racing Frames, former AMA Grand National competitor and multi-time winner Kevin Atherton (now a team coach/set-up man for the team) and co-owner Mike Lloyd can be seen discussing the day's events, or at least up to the point of getting ready to get it in the show.

At a 'typical' AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Twins Series event, the Ohio-based LBM team not only had to concentrate on getting their team's 'L'-twin machine set-up and ready for 2011 rider Brad Baker, but with the blessing of AMA Pro Racing also took it upon themselves to display and sell raffle tickets for one of AMA Pro Road Racing's Buell XB12XP pace bikes from the '09 season.  This not only entailed transporting and showing the machine off at the 11 Twins Series events throughout the season, but setting up the necessary display including awning, banner and greeting area in their pit area, to procuring the 1000 tickets that were made available for sale in last season's raffle.  (You can see last year's raffle bike in their pit area on the far left side of the shot.)

Of course, the raffle generated approximately $11.5K that was donated to the AMA Pro Flat Track/Road Racing World Air Fence fund, one of the largest donations of funds to go to saving lives by lining armco barriers and cement walls at some of the visited venues in high-impact areas.  And Lloyd Brothers Motorsports' Foremost Insurance sponsor also kicked in another big handful of cash to help grow the very needed and important stable of air fence for the flat track series.

Well there is good news for the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship Twins Series events, of which again their will be 11 of, as the LBM team will once again sponsor a raffle for another one of AMA Pro Road Racing's XB12XP pace bikes from the '09 season.  With last season's winner Eddie Relick of Bloomington, IN. having walked away with the big prize, he and everyone purchasing a ticket in the 2012 season will have another chance to take home an almost-new piece of racing history, thanks to LBM and AMA Pro Racing.

Tickets again will be $20/each and will be available at each event this season at the Lloyd Brothers Motorsports pit display (which you need to take the time to go check out, even if you can't afford the extra $20 to purchase a ticket.  These guys eat, breath, sleep and work flat track racing, and talking with them is a real pleasure in itself when you see the passion they have for the sport.)  However, other then the Aid to Injured Riders (AIR) fund, the air fence fund is one of the finest and best things you can do to help give back to the greatest sport on wheels in the world. 

The first tickets will be available for sale at round 4 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season at the Springfield Mile I event on Sunday, May 27.  If nothing else take the time to go and talk with the LBM team during the fan-walk and take a look-see at the bike.  I can pretty much guarantee they won't be just 'standing and sitting around' like they were when I caught them in this rare moment last season.  And they'd love to talk with you about flat track racing and their passion for helping to keep on promoting this great sport.  And tell them Stu's Shots sent you!

You can check out the official press release below thanks to LBM and AMA Pro Racing! 

Also, a very special thanks and tip of the helmet to team co-owner Dave Lloyd for taking the time to talk with me this afternoon during his very busy schedule.  You guys rock, Dude!

AMA Pro Racing and Lloyd Brothers Motorsports, Inc. Announce 2012 Fundraiser for Roadracing World Action Fund

The following is a joint press release issued by AMA Pro Racing and Lloyd Brothers Motorsports regarding a fundraising activation in support of the Roadracing World Action Fund. Participation in the fundraiser will be available at each round of the 2012 AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Lucas Oil and Motorcycle-Superstore.com:

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 17, 2012) - Lloyd Brothers Motorsports, Inc. with support from Foremost Insurance Company, Saddlemen and AMA Pro Racing is pleased to announce participation in an exciting fundraiser for the Roadracing World Action Fund. Throughout the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track season, the Lloyd Brothers Motorsports team will be volunteering efforts to raise money for the Roadracing World Action Fund, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization which advocates and promotes the use of soft barriers to help prevent rider injuries at racetracks.

The first-prize winner of the fundraiser will receive a 2009 Buell Ulysses XB12XP - AMA Pro Road Racing Pace Motorcycle, donated by AMA Pro Racing, and the second-place prizewinner will receive a new custom Saddlemen seat donated by Tom Seymour of Saddlemen. The motorcycle will be transported, displayed and have tickets sold by Lloyd Brothers Motorsports at each of this season's half-mile and mile AMA Pro Flat Track races.

"The safety of our competitors is of paramount importance to us, and a key to building the sport of flat track racing," said Dan Johnsen, Director of Flat Track for AMA Pro Racing. "We are very thankful for the commitment and support that Lloyd Brothers Motorsports has shown to our paddock by taking part in a second consecutive year of fundraising in support of the Roadracing World Action Fund."

"We are excited to continue to help raise funds for flat track Airfence," stated Lloyd Brothers Motorsports co-owner Michael Lloyd. "Airfence is invaluable to the safety of racers. We are really hoping that the racing community will continue to rally around this cause so that we can expand the amount of Airfence available for the safety of our racers."

"Foremost Insurance Company is proud to support the efforts of Lloyd Brothers Motorsports. Foremost Insurance and Lloyd Brothers Motorsports share common interests in not only striving to be the best but also to help create the safest environment possible for our participants and clients," said Randy Slotten, of Foremost Insurance Company.

There will be 1,000 tickets available. Tickets will be sold at each AMA Pro Flat Track half-mile and mile event for $20.00 each and the winners will be drawn and announced in front of the grandstands at the final race of the season.

Donations can also be made via the Lloyd Brothers Motorsports website: http://www.lloydbrothersmotorsports.net/airfence.htm

Winners do not need to be present at the time of the drawing; they will be notified after their ticket is drawn. To learn more about Airfence or to donate directly to the Roadracing World Action Fund, please visit http://actionfund.roadracingworld.com/.

 

About the Roadracing World Action Fund:

The Roadracing World Action Fund (http://actionfund.roadracingworld.com/) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization which advocates and promotes the use of soft barriers to help prevent rider injuries at racetracks. Since it was founded in 2001, the Roadracing World Action Fund has raised approximately $900,000 in donations used to deploy Airfence.

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: Kenny Tolbert Racing Reviews Daytona, Announces Twins Series Plans With Kawasaki, Bill Werner to Act as Technical Advisor to Team

Kenny Tolbert works on the finishing touches of final preparations on Chris Carr's #4 American Motorcyclist Assoc/DFW Honda/Arai/Phoenix Racing-sponsored H-D XR750s before the first round of practice at round 6 of the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season at the Springfield Mile I on May 29.  Tolbert and Carr were one of the strongest teams to ever compete in The Rolling Thunder Show in their many years together, garnering seven championships along the way before Carr hung up his leathers from full-time racing at the end of the 2011 season, where he finished 5th in his last-full season in the final point standings.

Texan Tolbert is now making the move to the next level in AMA Grand National Championship racing, announcing over the off-season that he will be leading Kenny Tolbert Racing and '11 AMA Pro Flat Track Rookie of the Year Brad Baker into a new program with Kawasaki KX450Fs in the short track and TT Singles Series events, and with Kawasaki Ninja 650-based mounts for the half-mile and mile Twins Series events.  Long-time and 13-Time AMA Grand National Championship-winning tuner Bill Werner will be providing the team with technical support and equipment as the new venture proceeds into the new season ahead.
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Bill Werner is shown doing some final clean-up on the #33 Werner-Springsteen Monster Energy Kawasaki/Wossner Pistons/Millenium Technologies/Motion Pro-sponsored Ninja 650R-based mount of rider JR Schnabel, Jr. during round 11 of the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season at the I-96 Speedway Half-Mile in Lake Odessa, MI. on July 23.  Shaun Russell's #28 machine sits just behind Werner in the shot.

It was officially announced over the weekend that the former Harley-Davidson factory wrench will be supplying equipment and technical advice to the new Kenny Tolbert Racing team for the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship season, with Tolbert working on rebuilding the 650R-based parallel twins around ROY Brad Baker for the upcoming Twins Series season, scheduled to kick-off with the Springfield Mile I round on May 27.

One of the worst-kept 'secrets' during the off-season, it was pretty well known that Baker would be teaming with Tolbert after announcing to his former team, the Lloyd Brothers Motorsports group, that he would be riding for him in the '12 season.  Baker had advised the LBM team late in the 2011 season his plans moving forward.  The last piece in the puzzle was 'unofficially' confirmed several months ago, with this roll-out of the team's plans coming as the 'official' word on their plans to operate with the Kawasaki-brand machines instead of the XR750 which KT has become so well-known over the years.

You can read the first official press release from Kenny Tolbert Racing below to catch up on the action ahead!
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KENNY TOLBERT RACING FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Team Manager: Kenny Tolbert Technical Advisor: Bill Werner Mechanic: Bubba Bentley Mechanic: Sammy Sweet Expert Rider: Brad Baker Daytona Short Track Grand Nationals Daytona International Speedway March 15-16 Brad Baker Podium DECATUR, TX (March 23, 2012) The 2012 AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Series presented by Motorcycle-Supserstore.com kicked off with back to back Short Track Nationals that was full of action, side by side racing, explosive fireworks and plenty of drama during the 71st annual Daytona Bike Week at the Daytona International Speedway. Kenny Tolbert Racing made their debut as a new team, new rider, new Kawasaki motorcycles and after two nights of bar banging short track racing came away with a 5th, 3rd and sitting 6th overall in the GNC points standings. Just two days before loading the truck for the trip to Florida, Kenny and Brad picked up their new 2012 Kawasaki to begin converting the motocross bike to a championship caliber flat tracker. "The stock 2012 450cc Kawasaki was very impressive right out of the box," said Kenny Tolbert. "We lowered the bike, put a D&D exhaust, played with the electronics, threw it in the truck and went to Daytona." With Daytona the first race on a Kawasaki and the opportunity to work with Kenny, Brad had plenty to say, "I am so impressed with this team. Kawasaki is new to both Kenny and I so we struggled a little in the beginning but kept working together on different combinations. Kenny understands so much it is easy to communicate." Next Race: May 26-27 Springfield, IL DAYTONA VIDEO: BRAD BAKER INTERVIEW AMA PRO ROUND #1 PRESS RELEASE: Thursday, March 15th AMA ROUND #2 PRESS RELEASE: Friday, March 16th   PHOTOS COURTESY: JGPHOTOWERX   Development Bryan Smith towing a train of XR750 Harley-Davidson's at the 2010 Springfield Mile Kawasaki 650cc Twins     Bill Werner & Kenny Tolbert are two of the most dominant names in Grand National Flat Track racing. Not as riders, but as the men behind the machines that have won a combined 22 AMA Pro Grand National Championships and over 200 wins! Four years ago Bill Werner took on the challenge of building something outside the box of GNC racing, which has been the XR750cc Harley-Davidson. Bill's choice of engine, the Kawasaki Ninja 650cc. The result, back to back wins at the Indianapolis and Springfield Miles in 2010 with Bryan Smith as the rider. Kenny Tolbert will continue to use and develop the Kawasaki Ninja 650cc with technical support from Werner. The team will begin a series of test on the Kawasaki 650cc by early April as they prepare for the Springfield Mile on May 27th. "We have ordered a new frame along with a custom seat and tank to build this bke around Brad," said Tolbert. "Bill has provided a lot of parts and technology to get us pointed in the right direction. We know our work is cut out, but we already have a good starting point." KENNY TOLBERT   RACING 1259 Heritage Creek Drive Rhome, Texas 76078 817-454-1775 2012 AMA PRO GNC SCHEDULE 3/15 Daytona Beach, FL (ST) Daytona International Speedway 3/16 Daytona Beach, FL (ST) Daytona International Speedway 5/26 Springfield, IL (TT) Illinoiis State Fairgrounds 5/27 Springfield, IL (M) Illinoiis State Fairgrounds 6/30 Lima, OH (HM) Allen County Fairgrounds 7/7 Hagerstown, MD (HM) Hagerstown Speedway 7/14 Lake Odessa, MI (HM) I-96 Speedway 7/28 Sacramento, CA (M) Cal Expo 8/4 Castle Rock, WA (TT) Castle Rock Race Park 8/12 Peoria, IL (TT) Peoria Motorcycle Club 8/18 Indianaopolis, IN (M) Indiana State Fairgrounds 9/1 Springfield, IL (ST) Illinois State Fairgrounds 9/2 Springfield, IL (M) Illinois State Fairgrounds 9/8 Knoxville, IA (HM) Knoxville Raceway 9/30 Santa Rosa, CA (M) Sonoma County Fairgrounds 10/6 Tucson, AZ (HM) USA Raceway 10/13 Pomona, CA (HM) LA County Fairplex     (ST) 1/4 Mile Short Track (TT) Steeplechase (HM) Half Mile (M) Mile   AMA PRO RACING     RACE TEAM SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE Let Kenny Tolbert Racing brand and promote your product through an aggressive racing campaign on the AMA Pro Grand National Flat Track Series. To request sponsorship opportunties; Click Here

Take the time to check out their sponsors and sign-up for updates on Facebook and with the team.  You can also submit directly off of the release in the lower right corner to become a sponsor with the team.  Very impressive, interactive and great looking release from KT!  Press release courtesy of Kenny Tolbert Racing.

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AMA Pro Flat Track official race announcer Barry Boone talks with semi-winner Brad Baker at round 16 of the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season at the Springfield Mile II on September 4.  Baker had just taken the win on the #12 Lloyd Brothers Motorsports/TeamHurtByAccident.com/Foremost Insurance/NickyHayden.com-sponsored Italian V-Twin over Shaun Russell #28 and Steve Murray #51 to punch his ticket to the National main event, where he eventually finished in the 8th spot for the day.

After ending the season ranked in the 6th overall spot in the championship standings and taking the coveted Saddlemen AMA Pro Flat Track Rookie of the Year Award, The Bullet is now teamed up with Chris Carr's former tuner, Kenny Tolbert for the 2012 season.  Starting off the season on a very strong note, Baker scored finishes of 5th and 3rd at the season-opening rounds at the Daytona Short Track to put himself in the 6th spot in the 2012 standings with the two-month break before round 3 at the Springfield TT on May 26.

The new pairing with Tolbert has already proved to be very fruitful.  Baker and his new Kawasaki KX450F scored their initial win at the Volusia Short Track round of bike week, and ran very strong at Daytona.  The team has been testing in Texas and looks to be ready to hit the ground running when the season starts full swing at the end of May.  And with Baker's talents in the saddle paired with KT's talents spinning wrenches and help from Bill Werner, this should prove to be a very strong venture for the rest of the competitors that campaign the greatest racing show on wheels in the world. 

Stay tuned as this season is getting ready to rock 'n roll and it's going to be a great one again!
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AMA Flat Track: Weirbach Racing's Ryan Wells Checks In After Final DuQuoin Indoor Round Before Heading to Daytona

Ted and Dick Weirbach of Ottumwa, Iowa's Weirbach Racing talk with one of the members of the Van's Yamaha team at round 11 of the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com before the racing gets ready to start at the Lake Odessa, MI. round on July 23.  Weirbach Racing's team rider, Mikey Martin #91Y, ended up winning his 2nd of 3 events in a row at the I-96 Speedway event that would lead him to the 2011 AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles Championship aboard the team's Honda CRF450R.
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Press release courtesy of Weirbach Racing


Ryan Wells DuQuoin Report:

On Friday, Febuary 24th, my dad and I traveled to DuQuoin, Illinois for a practice day where we would be meeting team owner Dick Weirbach.  Since the last time riding the Weirbach 450’s, we have made suspension, power commander, motor & handle bar changes plus a few others to make me feel more comfortable on the bikes.

After the first practice session I immediately felt way better and faster on the bikes compared to the last time I had rode them.  After getting on the track for about 5 sessions, I knew we were ready for Daytona. So to make sure the bikes stayed fresh, Dick decided to pack them up for the weekend and I would just race my own 450 on Saturday.

On Saturday the track turned out to be very slippery and hard to pass on. In the Heat race I was lined up 6th on the starting line which put me all the way up by the outside wall.  I ended up getting 2nd in the heat behind expert rider Jeff Carver.

In the main event I was back up by the wall on the starting line. After 20 laps on the slick track I ended up with a 4th place in the main event.  Overall it was a great weekend and we got some great testing in and figured out some new things on the bikes.

Big thanks to Dick Weirbach for heading to DuQuoin for me to get some more seat time and testing on the bikes before heading to Daytona in 2 weeks.

Special thanks to all our sponsors:

Weirbach Racing, General Engineering, Barnett Clutches, Spectro, K&N, Saddlemen, DynoJet, White Lightning Retrievers, PMP Sprockets, Motion Pro, Motorcycle-Superstore.com, 5 Star Steel & Fabrication, Arlen Ness, Boughner Racing, Light Shoe, RLJ Racing, Ride 100%, Precision Power

Ryan Wells - 94B

Weirbach Racing's Dick Weirbach is shown with new-for-2012 rider Ryan Wells at the Southern Illinois Center at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds during the Steve Nace Racing/AMA Racing Indoor National Dirt Track Series.  Wells is a former AMA Grand National Champion, Canadian National Champion and the '07 AMA Youth Dirt Tracker of the Year Award honoree.  Wells and the Weirbach Racing team will contest the 2012 AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles Championship aboard the team's Honda CRF450Rs.  Photo courtesy of Weirbach Racing.
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AMA Pro Flat Track Profiles Jake Johnson, JD Beach & Mikey Martin

Zanotti Racing crew chief Ted McDermitt gets some help on one of the team's XR750s while the rest of the team talks shop at the rear of the team's transporter just after qualifying had wrapped up for round 16 of the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com at the Springfield Mile II.  Rider Jake Johnson had just qualified his #1 Zanotti Racing/Schaeffer's H-D/Boughner Racing/Motion Pro-sponsored mount in a respectable 11th place spot, just shy of .5 seconds behind fast man Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. on the factory H-D machine.

There was still plenty of racing to go, as Jersey Jake brought the #1 machine home in the 3rd spot at the Illinois State Fairgrounds mile oval, for what was one of over 15 top-5 finishes on the season in route to winning his second consectutive AMA Grand National Championship, being the first rider since 7-Time AMA Grand National Champ Chris Carr to win successive overall championships in the decades old series (Coolbeth won the Twins Championship from '06-'08.)

With wins at the Salinas and Springfield TTs and at the Calistoga and Pomona half-miles on the season, The Champ showed early in the season that his '10 championship year was not a fluke, and his ability to bring it home with solid runs throughout the season was a testament to his ability as a rider, and Dave Zanotti's ability to supply great machines and a solid crew in McDermitt and former AMA Grand National competitor Mike Hacker.


Johnson will be looking to make it three-in-a-row for the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season and the Pennsylvania resident and Zanotti Racing crew will be ready to get back at it in Daytona next month.  AMA Pro Racing has been running some rider profiles over the long winter break and you can check out what they have on Jake here while you wait for the racing season to get started:

http://amaproracing.com/ft/news/index.cfm?cid=51790
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The 2012 racing season is just over three weeks away, with the Steve Nace Racing AMA All Star National Flat Track Series set to roll into Oglethorpe Speedway in Pooler, GA. on March 9 and the AMA Pro Flat Track doubleheader at Daytona set to kick off the big season on Thursday, March 15 and Friday, March 16. 
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JD Beach relaxes in the back of the USC Racing pit area at round 14 of the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com at the Peoria TT while the crew goes about getting his #95 Universal City Kawasaki Motorsports/Morlandt Electric/Alpinestars/
Arai-sponsored KX450F ready for some heat race action.  Beach turned a 3rd place finish in his heat into a direct transfer to the National main at the oldest track on the circuit's calendar, and went on to finish 13th in the final event.

The transplanted Washington State youngster, who now calls Philpot, KY. home, has spent the last several years campaigning both the AMA Pro Flat Track and AMA Pro Road Racing Series.  After clinching the 2010 AMA Pro SuperSport East Championship, Beach headed to the Peoria TT and the Lucas Oil Indy Mile, winning both events as an AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles rider. 

The next weekend he made his Expert debut at the Springfield Short Track, and promptly brought home a hard-earned 3rd place finish behind winner Henry Wiles and runner-up Jake Johnson.  JD rounded out his weekend with a 12th place finish at the Springfield Mile II on his very first ride in the Expert Twins class.

During the 2011 season, Beach still managed to qualify for 7 events on the AMA Pro Flat Track calendar while spending the better part of the season competing in the AMA Superbike Championship while riding an Attack Kawasaki ZX-10R, which he brought home in the 12th overall spot in his rookie season in the big bike class.

For the 2012 season, Beach will again be contesting some rounds of the AMA Pro Flat Track Series, while also competing in the AMA Pro Road Racing Daytona SportBike Series on a RoadRace Factory/RedBull-sponsored Yamaha YZF-R6.  He is one of the early entries already posted for the Daytona 200 scheduled to run on Saturday, March 17. 


You can check out JD's rider spotlight/profile here from AMA Pro Racing:

http://www.amaproracing.com//ft/news/index.cfm?cid=51889
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Round 11 of the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com at the I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, MI. saw Mikey Martin atop the box after taking the win in the AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles Series. 

Martin took his #91Y Weirbach Racing/General Engineering/Barnett Clutches/Spectro-backed Honda CRF450R to the win on the half-mile by over 4.3 seconds ahead of runner-up Conner Anderson, in what would be his second of three-in-a-row wins on the season (Hagerstown, Sacramento) that would catapult him into the championship points lead, a position he would never relinquish for the rest of the season.

With his 2011 AMA Pro Singles Championship in his back pocket, the popular California resident will be moving up the the Expert class for the 2012 season after two years of competition in the Pro Singles Series.  Not too long after the season wrapped at the Pomona Half-Mile in mid October, Martin and the Bonneville Performance Triumph flat track team announced they would be joining together to contest the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Twins Series season. 

Martin and the team contested a southeast Georgia race in late October for their first time working together at the track, and have also been testing in the Carolinas during the off-season getting ready for the first Twins Series event in late May at the Springfield Mile I round.  Double M is slated to wear National #91 for his season run at the Saddlemen Rookie of the Year Award, an award that is shared by former Pro Singles Champ Brad Baker, PJ Jacobsen and Matt Weidman, just to name a few.


You can check out AMA Pro Flat Track's rider spotlight/profile on Mikey Martin here:

http://amaproracing.com/ft/news/index.cfm?cid=51824
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