AMA Pro Flat Track: Brad 'The Bullet' Baker Talks Racing, Rain & His Romp at the Hagerstown Half-Mile

The monkey is officially off of his back after Brad 'The Bullet' Baker took his first-ever AMA Grand National Championship Expert-ranked win last Saturday night at the Hagerstown Half-Mile in round 4 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season.

After bringing home a trio of 2nd-place finishes in the first three rounds of the season, the Washington State resident was virtually knocking on the door to make that extra step up on the podium, and Baker made a leap of it in his romp at Hagerstown on July 6 by winning his heat race, dominating the Dash for Cash and running away with the 25-lap National main and taking the win over first-time runner-up Jake Shoemaker by over 6.7 seconds.

And it's not like The Bullet didn't have this one coming, the writing was on the wall long ago but the ink just didn't want to dry for the popular rider.  Several times in his rookie year not only in the Singles Series, but while riding for the Lloyd Brothers Motorsports Ducati team in the Twins Series Baker had shown his hand, and even during his 2012 season which saw him race for no fewer then four different teams throughout the year, you knew it was coming and when it did, POW.

Overall, this is undoubtedly one of the most popular wins all around for the whole series and fans of The Rolling Thunder Show, as everyone involved has voiced their pleasure in one way or another in seeing this now and future star of the sport grab his first, of what will surely will be many!  And not too mention, he took over the overall points lead in the series with a 20-point gap over a three-way tie between early-season points leader Brandon Robinson, Henry Wiles and 2-Time AMA Grand National Champion Jake Johnson, with 10 races yet to roar in anger left in the season.

In the shot above, Baker can be seen talking with Cycle News and Rider Files.com's Larry Lawrence at round 5 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season at the Lima Half-Mile on June 30.

For those that don't remember, Lima was the first race after Kenny Tolbert Racing mothballed his Kawasakis after planned sponsorship failed to materialize, and Brad was forced to scramble at the last minute to come up with the #12 Columbia Avionics/Mark Cheza/K&K Motorcycle Supply-sponsored XR750 shown resting in his pit area.

After qualifying the unfamiliar mount in an incredible 3rd-place out of the 43 riders that took a timed run, Baker rode to a 3rd-place finish in his heat, but was forced to settle for a very uncharacteristic 17th-place in the main later in the evening.

What a difference a year makes!

A big tip of the helmet and an especially raucous 'hoorah' for The Bullet, congrats man, you really worked for this and deserved it man!  BRAVO!

Check out Brad's great press release below to hear about all of the fireworks from Brad's trip to Maryland and his Independence Day Weekend celebration.


Press release courtesy of Brad 'The Bullet' Baker, the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Saddlemen Rookie of the Year and the new overall points standings leader in the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season.

Brad "The Bullet" Baker May Recap And Hagerstown Maryland Race Report

July 8, 2013

Hello Everyone, I hope you all had an amazing 4^th of July weekend!!

 

First off, I want to apologize for not sending you a race report promptly after the month of June. I swear this year has been the worst year in my career of racing for cancellations due to rain!

 

The first weekend of June started off with just a small local short track right outside Indianapolis Indiana that I went to mainly to do some tire testing for my new tire sponsor, Mitas Tires, Developed and handled by Micah Racing Services. The weekend was a success while learning important information on the new tires and winning everything and having fun on the cool little short track called Mid-America Speedway.

 

The second weekend of June took me to Peoria, Illinois. The weekend started off at Spoon River Speedway on a sweet red clay banked half-mile. The night went pretty well, I won my heat which was an intense battle with JD Beach, got second in the Dash behind Jeffery Carver and ended up third in the main behind Jd Beach and the GNC Champ, Jared Mees.

 

The next night followed with a really fun short track in Pekin, Illinois. All day we were threatened by rain and it actually rained the majority of the morning. This actually helped the track out a lot, even though Mother Nature can ruin a lot of races she definitely is the best water truck!

 

The Program had to be rushed from the time it got started because there was a huge storm fast approaching. We got our open pro heats in and it wasn’t long after that they were calling us back up because it was starting to sprinkle and they really wanted to get the open pro main finished. I nailed the hole shot and led the majority of the race but national number 27 Rob Pearson was glued to my rear tire! With two laps to go he ran it hard into turn 1 and ran me way up the race track until we about ran out of room. I got right back on him but ran out of time to retaliate; it was a super fun race though. Following immediately after the race it started to downpour and continued to rain into the night.

 

This really threatened the Peoria TT that was supposed to start early the next morning. Unfortunately, when I woke up the next morning the pavement was still wet and I knew the chances of racing were slim. I wasn’t at the track for 10 minutes and it was already called, the track was just too wet! Fortunately, the race was rescheduled for this Sunday and they added a race at the Peoria Speedway on Friday night and a race in Macomb Illinois on Saturday night.

 

The following weekend I actually flew home for the first time in 2 ½ months to get some time on the completely remodeled Castle Rock TT that is holding a National on August 3^rd. The track was 100 times more racy and fun compared to what is use to be. I ended up winning the 20 lap open pro main event and came in a close second in the short pro am race behind national number 80 Stevey Bonsey.

 

I'm feeling really confident for the race coming up in August, my plan is take away the Expert singles points lead that I should have had leaving Daytona! The last weekend of June was supposed to be round 4 of the AMA Pro Racing Grand National Championship held on the cushion lime stone half-mile in Lima, Ohio. It wasnt to our surprise when mother nature came back and dropped water on us pretty much all through Saturday and Sunday! This was a huge bummer because I hadn’t raced a national since early May and the promoter had no open dates to reschedule so he was forced to cancel the event completely. After that weekend, traveling to all these races to just get rained out was getting pretty old I tell you what!

Now this finally leads up to this last weekend in Hagerstown, Maryland.

 

The smooth, banked, red clay half mile was the new round 4 of the AMA Pro Racing Grand National Championship after the Lima cancelation. I alway love coming to Hagerstown because it is so close to our nation’s capital and not to mention I always seem to do well there. By the end of the night I would come to love the place even more!

 

 

 

 

Brad Baker takes the checkers after leading all 25 laps at the Hagerstown Half-Mile on the #12 Dodge Brothers Racing/Sefnco Communications/Specialty Fabrication-sponsored Harley-Davidson XR750.  The Bullet took his first career AMA Grand National Championship win at round 4 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season.  Photo courtesy of Brad Baker by Dave Hoenig/Flat Trak Fotos.com.

 

 

 

 

The day started off decent in qualifying. I felt a lot better on the race track then my times showed but a 7^th place in combined qualifying would give me a nice spot on the front row for the heat races! When the heats strolled around this is when my night really kicked off! I nailed the hole shot and put my head down! I felt like I was pretty fast and I couldn’t here anyone’s engine noise behind me. About halfway through the race the red lights came out when National Number 17, Henry Wiles, went down hard going into turn three! I finally took a look behind me and the nearest rider was a straight away behind me so I guess I was turning some good laps. The restart would mess me up for setting pole for the main event but that was alright. I nailed the restart again and stretched out another commanding lead and took home the win earning myself a spot in the Dash for Cash and a front row start in the main event.

 

The Dash went very similar to the heat race! I nailed the hole shot once again and in only 4 laps I won my 3^rd dash for cash of my short career by almost a straightaway.

 

Last but not least is the GNC Main event. I guess I should of felt a little nervous walking out on the track since this was my best shot to win my very first GNC Expert National main event. I was the complete opposite though, I have been so comfortable on all my bikes lately and my team and I get along so well that there’s no reason to feel nervous.

 

I made the racing that night a little boring as I pretty much repeated what I did in the dash and heat race. The bike was working so good and I felt so comfortable that the win just came natural. I went by the checkered flags with a 7 second lead and a first time GNC Expert Winner! To add to the win I took over the overall GNC points lead and I now sit 20 points out front even after getting one of my second place finishes taken away from me in Daytona.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Saddlemen Rookie of the Year Brad Baker #12 takes the victory lap after taking his first Expert-ranked win at the Hagerstown Half-Mile on Saturday, July 6.  Photo courtesy of Brad Baker by Dave Hoenig/Flat Trak Fotos.com.

 

 

 

 

I can’t explain how it felt, I have dedicated my whole life to racing motorcycles and it feels amazing to accomplish another one of my goals! I’m more excited than ever for the next National that will be held in my home state at Grays Harbor Speedway in Elma, Washington.

I can’t thank my crew, friends, family, fans, and sponsors for all their love and support!

 

Stay tuned for another report very soon.

 

Sincerely, Brad Baker #12

 

Special thanks to:

 

Dodge Bros Racing, Sefnco Communications, Specialty Fabrication Incorporation, Schenk Racing Enterprises, Silkolene Lubricants, Boughner Racing Suspension, Saddlemen, Perry’s Harley Davidson,  Cometic Gaskets, EBC Brakes, Sparkplugs.com, Barnett, Checkered Flag Productions,  Millennium Technologies, D&D Exhaust, Motion Pro, K&N Filters, Arai Helmets, KIbblewhite, Brother Powersports, CP Carrillo, Fusion Graphix, Mitas Tires, YSR, Crank Works Incorporation, Gene and Gail Cummings, Micro Blue Racing, MVR, Jack MIlls, Defy All Odds, Light Shoe, 100%, Oneal USA, Atlas Brace Technologies, Matrix Concepts, Alpinestars, Micah Racing Services, Spencer Aircraft, Paint By Smokey, Rockstar Powder Coating, Renthal, PMP Sprockets, Eddie Mulder 12, Devol Engineering, Mototassinari, Loudmouth MX, DandW Racing, Boysen, Acerbis, Moto Hose, Bam it All,  Pacific Auto Trim

 

 

Why You Should Be Reading Larry Lawrence's The Rider Files.com and Cycle News.com Work & The Passing of Duane Dreyer

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As Larry Lawrence interviews '09 AMA Flat Track Grand National (and mythical) Champion Sammy Halbert after his second place finish to winner Henry Wiles at the Lima Half Mile in June of 2010, a flurry of other activities go on around the scene after the running of the annual classic. The lovely and extremely talented Yve Assad, of The Fast and Dirty.com, can be seen on the left side of the shot while the entertainingly stunning Miss Lima is looking at some of the celebrations going on in the background. AMA Flat Track Announcer Scottie Duebler is on the right of the shot with his headphones around his neck as things wrap up after round seven of the 2010 AMA Pro Flat Track K&N Filters presented by Motorcycle Superstore.com Grand National Championship Series.
'Double L' has been involved in the racing scene in America for over 30 years now, writing for a bundle of publications throughout the decades such as American Road Racing, Cycle News and Cycle World, just to name a very few. His years working with the 'old regime' at the AMA as well as AMA Pro Racing were some of the best in terms of coverage for the sport, the entertainment and overall knowledge and history of the sport, and good sponsors coming and staying on board to help support the AMA and it's thousands of members, and the racing community part of things especially.
Larry's love and background in the sport has given people like you and me a great education over the years, and has produced some of the best shots in racing you will see anywhere. His friendly demeanor and undying ability to talk to anyone, has opened some doors for the average fan to be able to hear, read and see the background of racing at it's best. And he's one of the real all-around nice guys, too.
To put it mildly, if you're not reading any of Larry's stuff, whether it's his great site The Rider Files.com or writing the new and revived digital version of Cycle News.com's Archives column (one of THE best reads in motorcycle racing history), then you are living under a rock as far as motorcycle racing past and current goes, and you are probably the one still using the soup cans to talk to your buddies........get my drift?!
I first met Larry back in May of '82, when both of us were parts of different groups of riders and racing enthusiasts that ultimately converged in Waukegan, IL. on the way to the Road America round of the AMA Superbike Championship Series. I was driving one of two support vehicles for the main exodus of the group out of Indy that consisted of old friends Scott Levondoski, Brad Mercer and Scott Christie, just to name a few. There were between 8-10 riders and two cars that left Indy that cold and damp day in May, and when everyone got together just north of Chicago, the cast had grown by about 6-8 more riders. Of the rain (and alcohol, for some of us) soaked and cold weekend that year, it was not only my very first chance to see an AMA Pro race (and my only chance to see Eddie Lawson compete before heading off to Europe with The King) after having watched the WERA Series for years at Raceway Park in Indy, but it was my first meeting with one of the all-around nice guys in life. Larry showed up in Waukegan with a sano red and white '78 Suzuki GS750, and his party of riders went through more rain in their travels then ours had. And believe me, that's saying alot about that weekend.
I may be a bit more prejudiced about the man then the average fan or friend of the sport, and thusly you may want to take my judgement of people, racing journalists and historians of the sport with a grain of salt. But I'd be inclined to say that where there may be one or two people to say different, there are hundreds to say pretty much the same thing about the guy. If you aren't familiar with Larry's reporting of the sport and it's rich history, you better get started while you can still get out from under that rock........
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Thanks to Larry Lawrence for taking the time to give Stu's Shots a nod on his fine site The Rider Files.com this week. Putting together a story about shooting with some of the smaller digital cameras available today, Larry knew that all of my stuff last year was shot with a trusty little '04 model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P93 5.1 MP 'pocket camera.' I had originally purchased the camera just before Christmas in '04 before going on vacation to supplement my 35mm gear for my very first visit to Pearl Harbor (and of course my great little sister!) After retiring my '73 model Minolta SRT-101 35mm at the end of the 2008 season, it was my only means of shooting for the '09-'10 seasons.

Needless to say, I've had some fun with that little camera over the years, and I am looking forward to the new season to shoot with my new Sony a550 DSLR that I was lucky enough to acquire over the holidays (thanks Mom, I love you!) I've been very fortunate to be able to get some great shots with that little camera that have been showcased in an AMA Flat Track press release on Joe Kopp's retirement from flat track, and in a Motorcycle-USA.com video saluting Mike Kidd for his direction of AMA Flat Track during the 2010 season.

Here's Larry's article about shooting with the little 'pocket' cams, and thanks again to Double L for the mention. You da man!

http://www.theriderfiles.com/?p=9072
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On a more somber note, Stu's Shots wants to say Godspeed to Duane Dreyer, one of Indy's and the Midwest's motorcycle racing and community icons and friends. Duane owned Dreyer Motorsports Yamaha/Suzuki/Kawasaki on Indy's west side, and his Dad Junior and brother Mike ran the oldest Honda dealership in the United States next door, where I took the better part of my motorcycle parts and bike business back in the early '70s until the late '80s, when I got out of the street riding end of my involvement with motorcycles and racing.

I had the fortune of first meeting Duane in a high school speech class back in the fall of '72, and got to know him casually over the years as one of the best area racers in motocross and road racing, and another one of the all-around nice guys you meet in life. He was a regular winner at the old Indianapolis Raceway Park motocross track back in those high school days, and then went on to compete with the likes of Scott Zampach, Ed Key and Tom Kipp in WERA Series competition in the early-to-mid '80s.

The motorcycling community has been hit especially hard with the loss of this fine man, and the world has lost another great smile along the way. My condolences go out to The Dreyer Family and all of the fans, friends and people who may have been fortunate enough over the years to have spent any time with Duane. He will be sorely missed. Godspeed DD!

Larry Lawrence did a very admirable job of compiling Duane's life story on The Rider Files.com:

http://www.theriderfiles.com/?p=9101
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Bombshell: AMA Flat Track Suspends Sammy Halbert for One GNC Round

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Sammy Halbert on the #7 Woody Kyle Racing/Fredericktown/Kings Kustoms/Fluid Suspension-backed Yamaha gets some last second adjustments to his mount by his father Willy just before the start of the Springfield Short Track on Saturday, September 4th. Slammin Sammy had to take a provisional in order to start the main and came from the back row to finish 11th after 25 fast and furious laps on the Springfield Arena bullring.
Before the suspension was announced, and after both rounds at Springfield having been completed, Halbert was 3rd in the overall point standings in the AMA Pro Flat Track K&N Filters presented by Motorcycle Superstore.com Grand National Championship Series. He was 24 points back on series leader Joe Kopp with 252 and Jake Johnson in the 2nd place overall with 242. Jared Mees in 4th with 228 points (Halbert holds the tie-breaker due to his season opening win at Daytona), and Henry Wiles in the 5th spot with 224 points. And with three rounds left in the overall championship, losing a race is all but a death sentence in going after the title.
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In what can only be viewed as a very critical turning point in the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Series, AMA Pro Flat Track has suspended current-3rd in the overall points standings man, Sammy Halbert, National #7 and the winner of the season opening round at the new Daytona Short Track, for the next round in the series. After having been on probation since the May Springfield round, Halbert's ride in last Saturday's Springfield Short Track semi race was considered pretty sketchy when he made contact with another rider in the process of coming through the field.

I personally did not see this move as I was following other riders on the track when this incident occurred. And I don't much like to quantify this type of incident in order to taint any decision that was made by those involved in either direction. JMHO.

You can read the full story by Larry Lawrence at his always fine site TheRiderFiles.com and see what Sammy and AMA Pro Flat Track Manager Mike Kidd have to say after this breaking news was announced. With the upcoming round in Shakopee, MN. at the Canterbury Park mile oval, barring any inclement weather, this would be the round he would have to sit out.

Here's the breaking news thanks to Larry:

http://www.theriderfiles.com/?p=5934
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Fritz Kling Remembered by Stu's Shots

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Fritz Kling on the #31 Gold Hill Yamaha 1000 comes through the last turn before coming back onto the front straight at the old Indianapolis Raceway Park (IRP-now ORP due to O'Reilly Auto Parts monetary involvement) on his way to winning both WERA Pro Series/FUSA events back in July '92. Fritz completely spanked the field in both events that summer at one of the tracks that he had some of his biggest success at-the other being Grattan Raceway outside Grand Rapids, MI. Grattan was really considered his home track since he was from the Lansing area, but he placed on the podium many times in WERA competition at IRP as well.
IRP/ORP hasn't hosted any motorcycle road racing events in some time now-probably a couple of years after this event. Around that time Putnam Park opened outside Putnamville, IN., and the races were slated over there. This was about the time that the NHRA took over control of IRP. It's a shame as from the time I saw my first road race at IRP in the mid '70s I was hooked on it big time. Back then I was within 15-20 minutes from the track. Now I'm less then five and no more road racing.
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With the camera shooting as he spoke, Fritz Kling is interviewed by Larry Lawrence (of The Rider Files.com and author of the 'Archive' column in Cycle News & CN AMA Flat Track contributor) after winning the weekend's premier WERA/FUSA Pro Series events at IRP in July of '92. One of the sponsors of the event was Dreyer (not Dryer as mis-spelled on the banner) Motorsports Yamaha/Suzuki from Indy. Dreyer Honda is the oldest Honda dealership in the United States and opened the Yamaha/Suzuki dealership just down the road from the original Honda shop, on the west side of Indy, in the mid-late '80s (if my memory serves me correctly). Fritz was used to talking to Larry, as back in those days Double L was a regular contributor to American Roadracing, and along with Dan Schmitt out of the Chicago area covered the majority of the North Central WERA races at that time. Between Fritz' smile and LL's it was beaming in the winner's circle celebration that day!
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Jeff Heino on the #25 Fastline/MCM Racing Suzuki 1100 leads Fritz Kling on the #19 Gold Hill Yamaha 1000 at Mid Ohio in the summer of '92 during the AMA/U.S. Endurance Team Championship sprint race. Fritz rode for Gold Hill, Dutchman Racing and several other big teams in those days and was always a presence on AND off the track. His towering frame (he must have been 6 ft. 3-4 in. +/-) seemed to not only dwarf the competition but the motorcycle itself as well. It never appeared to be a hinderance, though, as he regularly beat guys he was giving up at least 30-50 pounds on. He was always a joy to watch on the track, and a great personality off the track as well.
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Fritz Kling is interviewed by the track announcer at Mid Ohio in the summer of '92 after placing second to Scott Russell in the AMA 750 Supersport race. Fritz was riding his College Bike Shop/Class Racing Kawasaki 750 that day against Russell's Muzzy Kaw. He almost always had that smile on his face, one that you could tell that he was just loving having fun and racing at the same time. Laid back off, but a monster on the race track, you knew if Fritz showed up at an event you'd not only see that smile but would also see him up at the front with the competition.
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Fritz Kling was drafted onto the Harley Davidson VR1000 AMA Road Racing team as a team mate to Miguel Duhamel in the 'early' hours of the VR's run in AMA competition just after Daytona in '94. Riding the #77 machine at Mid Ohio, above, during practice or qualifying for the '94 event, Fritz didn't have the success that Miguel did that weekend (Miguel put it on the front row of the national and led the first few laps), but neither did Doug Chandler, Chris Carr (okay, CC did put it on the pole at Pomona in '95), Scott Russell, Pascal Picotte, or Mike Smith. And those were just the list of guys that rode the VR on the factory team. Jamie James, Tripp Nobles and several other riders competed on the VR for Don Tilley, among others, with far less success. This didn't seem to matter to Fritz as it still seemed like whenever he got off the bike he still had the big kid-like smile on his face. He always projected the feeling that he was just glad to be there, in spite of the bike's major short-comings.
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Fritz Kling was a motorcycle road racer out of the Lansing, MI. area, that was born on June 10, 1967. He was a regular WERA and AMA competitor for teams such as Gold Hill, Dutchman Racing, Harley Davidson as well as his personal sponsors College Bike Shop out of the Lansing area (just to name a few). He always seemed to have a smile on his face, and almost always seemed to be up towards the front of a motorcycle road race event. Among his many accomplishments were his '89 Michigan Grand Prix Championship at Grattan Raceway, just outside of Grand Rapids, MI., in the WERA series, and winning several events that I attended at IRP back in the '80s and early '90s.
Other then when I did an announcing gig at IRP for the WERA folks in the fall of '87 and got to hand out the trophies at the end of the weekend's events-I handed a few over to Fritz that day as I remember-I only had the pleasure of meeting and/or talking to him one or two times over the years. In October of '90 I went down to Road Atlanta for the WERA GNF's with an old time friend (Jim Knipp, another long-time WERA Champ and racer) to hang out, help out where I could, and take a few pictures along the way. We were fortunate enough to run into Fritz at a local eatery and my friend Jim introduced us formally that evening and he had that big smile that evening just as I had seen it on him many times before at the race track. And always a positive and friendly attitude to boot. He had one of those endearing personalities that would stay with you and just make you feel good you got a chance to speak to and with him.
Unfortunately, Fritz lost his battle with brain cancer on November 7, 2008, and won't be around tomorrow to celebrate his 43rd birthday with his family, his friends or his race competitors. Not unlike the way he battled on the track, his race against the cancer that took him away from us was just as fierce. But unlike his battles on the track, we are the ones who lost out when this battle was won by The Man who called Fritz home before his time should have been due.
Tomorrow I'm going to take a moment of silence to remember Fritz Kling, as the good guy and fierce competitor that he was.
And I'm going to remember that killer smile of his as well and remember how blessed we all were to have been in his presence to see the fun loving guy he was and the positive vibe he projected on AND off the track. And I'm going to remember the giant he was among people, let alone racers, literally and figuratively.

God Bless, Fritz, and Happy Birthday. You are truly missed, but never forgotten........
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Larry Lawrence From The Rider Files.com Wants You to Know What Has Happened With The AMA and AMA Pro Racing....

One of the many people who I have had the pleasure of knowing in my life, especially when it comes to the world of motorcycle racing, is Larry Lawrence, formerly the AMA Media Rep, and currently the man who brings us his great website http://www.theriderfiles.com/, as well as penning

a great historical column for http://www.cyclenews.com/ called 'Archives.' And when he isn't doing those great things for the motorcycle racing community, he has also been covering the AMA Flat Track scene for http://www.cyclenews.com/ for the last couple of years as well. The man knows, loves, eats and breathes motorcycle racing, and motorcycle rider rights and how they effect the members of the AMA and it's representatives and partners.

Of all of the stories and drama that have effected the current state of affairs as it pertains to motorcycle racing on the North American continent of late has been the sale of AMA Pro Racing to the France family's DMG/Daytona Motorcycle Group. Not only the effect it has had on racing, but the effect it has had on the AMA themselves, it's members, representatives and partners, the fans, teams, riders and sponsors. And the list goes on......

Whether you currently agree with or see the changes in the state of U.S. racing that are and have been going on for the better part of the last 18-20 months, you should take the time to read what 'Scary Larry'/'Double L'/Larry Larry has to say about the goings on in, about and around the AMA and the people that are apart of the 'changing of the guard' so-to-speak. Larry recently took part in an interview with one of the other stalwarts of the motorcycle press/media/internet darlings, one Dean Adams with http://www.superbikeplanet.com/ and what was said and brought out was pretty enlightening, let alone mind boggling. Never mind the bickering and finger pointing that has been going on from all angles over this debacle, this brings to the surface in true journalist fashion how truly f***ed up things are in the house of AMA right now, and how it has, can and will possibly effect you as a motorcycle racing fan or rider. Dean gets Larry to discuss not only his insight and background on the subject, but gets him to open up on what kind of mess is emanating out of the Pickerington Posse as of late.

As always, with Larry involved you get the type of news and views that you, as a hard core race fan and devotee, have come to love and respect from the man that has the forever smile, the flowing pen, and the inside line to bring it as it is--like it or not. And having been involved with this thing for so long, well, let's just say that when it comes to cutting news and journalistic ability, Double L brings it. But, being as how I have known the man and followed his work for close to three decades now, I may be a little bit opinionated or even biased. Hey, I know a good thing when it comes to this great sport of ours since I have followed it myself for close to four decades. But don't take my word for it, read it (and weep) for yourself and form your own opinions as to what LL has to say. At the very least you will be much better informed on the facts of the stories and goings on so that you will, if nothing else, be that much more educated on this whole mess. Grab a cold--or hot this time of year--beverage of your choice and sit back and read it here:

http://superbikeplanet.com/2010/Jan/100129llinterview.htm

Since this is more for informational and educational purposes, I only had a couple of loose shots to throw in for today's post. Having known Larry since the early '80s, it's surprising that I don't have more shots of him in one way or another. But like myself, only on a much more grandeur scale then what I have done, with Larry being behind the lens at these events, you don't get many shots of you or your pals over the course of the weekend, since the action is on the track, so I am sure he will forgive me, as you will, for the lack of shots on this one. And if not, well, you all will get over it, won't you..................

Opening shot is one I took of Larry at Elkhart Lake back in June of '91. Like all good writers and photographers, he has his gear on and is on the move. And the patented Larry Lawrence smile is there to boot. The other shot I threw in today is one I have used before that is more of a testament to how much Larry DOES get around on a race weekend then it is OF him.

Again at Elkhart Lake, only in June of '90, I was walking through the AMA paddock and had taken this shot of Doug Chandler, 3-Time AMA Superbike Champion, who was looking over the shoulder of his tuner Merlyn Plumlee while they were getting his Muzzy Kawasaki ZX7-based superbike up to snuff for the weekend. When I got it developed after the races, lo-and-behold who would be walking by--and smiling like a cheshire cat as always--was Double L. You might not recognize him like I do and would, since he IS in the background in the blue/white striped shirt and blue jeans, but the smile is unmistakable. His head is just inside the 'D' where Doug later signed this shot for me some years later.

Thanks for coming by and listening to me rant again. As always I appreciate the fact that you would take your spare time to come by and hang with us here at Stu's Shots and I sincerely hope that you found something interesting here to pique your interest(s) and that you will want to come back and listen to me rant again.......and maybe even check out a few shots here and there!

The Rider Files Shoots From The Hip....continued...with final article in the series...

Thanks again to Larry Lawrence for the 3rd in a series of articles on the meltdown at
the AMA. MUST SEE READING!!!!!

http://www.theriderfiles.com/?p=1267

Updated on Thursday 10/8/09:

The following is the 4th and final article of the series that Larry has put together over on
http://www.theriderfiles.com/. Take the time to read it and the others so you can really take in
what a mess the AMA is in and what ideas are out there to try and correct this mess.
Thanks and a tip of the helmet to Larry Lawrence for his time and efforts!

http://www.theriderfiles.com/?p=1287

The Rider Files Shoots From The Hip....

You have had to put up with me and my rant(s) against and about the AMA/DMG Road Racing people since the start of the year. From running off the 7-time champion, changing rules on the
fly, allowing over-spec motorcycles to compete against other bikes with half the displacement,
and the pace car fiascos, these are only a brief handful of the atrocities that they have created
and caused for our lovable sport of motorcycle road racing. And it stinks like a rotting animal
in the middle of the road.
Well, thanks to his industry inside line, his very fine journalistic skills, and his down right love
of the sport, Larry Lawrence, the former PR guy for the AMA, is writing a series of articles
here in the last couple of days that pretty much says it all about the stink that is emanating
from the HQ of AMA Racing in Pickerington, OH., and how and why it has managed to get
to this very critical rotting point. And in the process of doing so, exposes the lethal level of
sheer idiocy and hipocracy that has been glowing from the center of the racing universe
as we know it for some time now.
So, as I have told you several times recently in my rants, you can make your own educated opinions here as you read what I put out there for you, but I can tell you right here and now,
Stevie Wonder could see the tornado swirling in the air from the spin these people have and
are creating. But you take a look see for yourself and make up your own mind.
Thanks to Larry Lawrence and his great site, http://www.theriderfiles.com/ for the links below
and for getting to the bottom of the fallout from this mess. You are the man Double L!

http://www.theriderfiles.com/?p=1225

http://www.theriderfiles.com/?p=1246


I will try to add more on this as it becomes available. Stay tuned!

Another Look at DMG/AMA Road Racing....

Here's another interpretation on the mess that is the Damaged Motorcycle Guys as how it
pertains to the mess that they have managed to make of the AMA Road Racing series this
year. This is Larry Lawrence's version/view of this big mess and it is definitely worth the
read:

http://www.theriderfiles.com/?p=1132

Thanks Larry! As always, cutting edge!

Check out Pipeburn.com for Some Classic Cafe Racers..

http://www.pipeburn.com/

Thanks to my buddy Larry Lawrence for posting the link to the above website on his
own website www.theriderfiles.com the other day.

Pipeburn is a wonderful collection of classic and modern day cafe racers that guys like
Larry and I grew up with--and yearned and drooled for at the same time. The folks at Pipeburn have collected and posted some wonderful links and pics that pretty much showcase the classics as well as the 'one-offs' that so many of today's bike builders are coming out and up with.

You seem to hear more of the 'chopper' craze across the general mainstream media, since shows like 'American Chopper' and the such have showered the masses--and cable/satellite tv--with. But to the hard-core motorcyclist, builder, racefan, and true afficianado of the overall aspect of the motorcycle custom and racing scene, as well as the growth of the industry as a whole in how it relates to the many ways you CAN customize scooters, well, then www.pipeburn.com is a MUST see and read!!

Check it out, I promise you won't be dissapointed, and I will do my best to post some pics in the next few days from the Barber Museum that I shot in '07 that will help to spruce up the moment. Enjoy! And thanks again Larry for finding such a jewel! You ARE the man!!

New Website From a Great Old Pro!! Check it out....

While you are checking out the various racing going on around the
world this w/e, please take the time to visit the following link:

http://www.theriderfiles.com/

...and the official shameless plug for Stu's Shots R Us:

http://www.theriderfiles.com/?p=232


Larry Lawrence, who at one time took care of media relations with and for the AMA racing series, and whose fine work you can now also find in Cycle News, amongst other publications, has started his own website featuring some shots and stories he has done over the years.
Currently covering the AMA Flat Track Series on a regular basis as well as penning his column 'Archives' for Cycle News, Larry has been around the
motorcycle racing world almost as long as dirt, and myself have been. His weekly column is reason enough to buy and read CN, but his coverage of the
flat track series the last several years has been stellar, to say the least.
After all of the time he has wrapped up in doing this, 'LL' started his website earlier this month featuring a BOAT load of great archival shots and writings
that go back in to the 70s. Being an ole hoss like myself, he has been around some of the finest and fastest and his work more then speaks for itself. And I
can't remember when I ever heard anyone speak a harsh word about the man, so his jovial attitude and endearing smile and laugh almost immediately make you gravitate towards anything bike-related, or otherwise, he is involved with. The man is an expert and has fun, obviously, doing it!
Please take the time to check him out--I guarantee you won't be dissapointed!

The shot above is actually one of 3-Time AMA Superbike Champion Doug Chandler, that I took at Road America in June of '90, the w/e he won and continued on a tear for the rest of the year to capture his first AMA title. As
you look at the shot of Doug looking over his tuner's shoulder at the bike, in the
background you can see the constant-smiling face of Mr. Larry Lawrence walking past. He is the gentleman in the center-rear of the shot in blue jeans and light blue shirt. Okay, if you didn't know him well you might not recognize him, but nonetheless his 'Cheshire Cat' grin is one that never seems to disappear as you can tell.

Take care and enjoy the races and the w/e!