AMA Pro Flat Track Set to Return to The Copper State for Arizona Mile in Phoenix on Saturday, May 14

AMA Pro Flat Track announced this week the official information about the upcoming Arizona Mile in Phoenix on Saturday, May 14, which saw tickets go on sale yesterday for what will be the series first return to The Copper State since the 2012 season. In what is being called a 'twilight race' the event will see heat races starting at 3 PM MT. The event will be held at long standing horse track facility Turf Paradise.

Arizona has hosted several events in the last several seasons dating back to the 2010 racing year, which saw two mile events held in Prescott (Joe Kopp/May winner, Jake Johnson/October winner) and Tucson hosting a half-mile event in October 2012 (Stevie Bonsey), but this will be the first return to the Phoenix area in 30 years in the days of the Camel Pro Series.

In the shot above, riders roar off the line in heat race #2 during round 11 of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines series at the Springfield Mile II on September 6.

Bryan Smith on the #42 Crosley Brands/Howerton Motorsports/Villa-Esparza-backed Kawasaki EX650 gets the jump on fellow contestants Brandon Robinson on the #44 Latus Motorsports/Castrol/Triumph America-sponsored Triumph Bonneville, Dominic Collindres on the #66Y Babe DeMay Racing/Memphis Shades/Motorcycle-Superstore-sponsored Yamaha FZ07 and Mikey Martin on the #91 Weirbach Racing/Racing Unlimited/Spectro Oils-backed Kawasaki.

With just 19 days until the season gets set to kick off at Daytona Beach in the annual short track doubleheader event, it's getting close to go time for the teams, riders and sponsors in The Rolling Thunder Show to hit the track and wow all of those on hand, and the return of racing to Arizona in May should make for another great event on the series calendar this year.

You can check out all of the particulars below thanks to the press release from AMA Pro Racing.

AMA Pro Flat Track set to return to Phoenix area with the Arizona Mile at Turf Paradise on May 14

Bubba Shobert completed the AMA Pro Flat Track "Grand Slam" when the series last visited the area in 1986

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 18, 2016) - AMA Pro Flat Track will be making a return to the Phoenix area for the first time in 30 years with the Law Tigers Arizona Mile, scheduled as round four of the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track season on Saturday, May 14 at Turf Paradise in Scottsdale, Ariz. "Arizona is a spectacular motorcycle market and a great place to put on events," said race promoter Chris Morgan. "We recognize the value of Arizona, the enthusiasm of the motorcycle market and how much of a perfect market it is for an AMA Pro Flat Track event." The Arizona Mile will be the first race in the area since 1986, when motorcycle racing legend Bubba Shobert won a half-mile event in Phoenix aboard the Honda RS750. With that victory, Shobert completed the "Grand Slam" of winning a Mile, Half-Mile, Short Track, Tourist Trophy and Road Racing main event. Looking to add to the sport's history in the state, the stars of AMA Pro Flat Track will be geared up for Turf Paradise as the first mile event of the season. "Arizona is a great part of the country to have a race," said Factory Harley-Davidson rider Brad Baker. "The weather will be nice and there is just a neat vibe overall. Since it will be the first mile race of the season, it will show who really did their homework over the offseason to prepare. You can always count on Bryan Smith, Jared Mees and Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. to perform well, and I know that I'm prepared to be up there with all of them." The race, being presented locally by Buddy-Stubbs Harley-Davidson, will be an "afternoon twilight event," meaning that the gates will open at noon and the race will start at 3:00 p.m. In addition to the AMA Pro Flat Track action on the race track, there will be a variety of family-friendly entertainment including stunt performances and a vendor area. "For years, the Law Tigers have proudly sponsored the AMA Pro Flat Track finals in Pomona," said Ari Levenbaum, the Vice President of Marketing for the Law Tigers Motorcycle Lawyers. "With the loss of the Pomona venue last year, the promoters and I were eager to continue our partnership and tradition of putting on Flat Track races. As riders and racing enthusiasts ourselves, we felt that it was important to find another venue that both the Flat Track racers and fans would enjoy. Bringing a race to Arizona, home to Turf Paradise and the Arizona Law Tigers, just made sense. We love supporting the racing element of motorcycling and are committed to seeing the sport grow and flourish." For more information and to purchase tickets for the Law Tiger's Arizona Mile, please visit http://www.ArizonaMile.com. Tickets will be available for purchase starting Friday, Feb. 19, 2016. 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

Weirbach Racing Teams Up with Briar Bauman for 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship GNC1 Season

Great news out of the Hawkeye State of Iowa comes the announcement that Weirbach Racing, the winner's of the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Pro Singles Championship, have partnered up with 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Saddlemen Rookie of the Year Briar Bauman for the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship GNC1 season.

Bauman, who burst onto the scene in the GNC1/Expert ranks during the 2012 season with a 12th-place finish on the season and earning Rookie of the Year honors, had an excellent season last year while riding for the USC/Hart Racing Kawasaki team finishing in the 5th-place spot with five top-5 finishes, including a win at the season-finale in Las Vegas, and ten top-10 finishes on the year.

The Weirbach Racing team worked with rider Mikey Martin in the GNC1 Twins Series last year earning a best-ever finish for both of 4th-place at the Indy Mile in just their second year overall of campaigning their new, potent line up of Kawasaki parallel twins along with two other top-10s on the season.

In the shot above, the Weirbach Racing team takes a short break before action hits the track during round 7 of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship GNC1 Harley-Davidson presented by Vance & Hines Series at the Indy Mile on July 11.

Team owners Richard (forefront, right) and son Ted (background, right) and rider Mikey Martin (blue shirt and hat, background left of center) can be seen in their pit alongside the team's #91 Weirbach Racing/Racing Unlimited/Spectro-sponsored Kawasakis.

The coming year should prove very fruitful for both the Weirbach team and new signee Bauman, giving Bauman his third-straight full season aboard a Team Green Kawasaki (Werner-Springsteen Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing 2014, USC/Hart Racing 2015) and the Weirbach team's third-straight season as well campaigning their potent Kawasaki mounts in the GNC1 Twins Series.

In the shot above, Bauman can be seen alongside his #14 USC/Hart Racing/Stevens Racing-backed Kawasaki in the team's pit area at the Lima Half-Mile during round 5 of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship GNC1 Harley-Davidson presented by Vance & Hines series on June 28. Team owner James Hart is shown to Bauman's left in the red hat looking over the team's equipment prior to the first round of qualifying at the Allen County Fairgrounds.

With the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship GNC1 season just 33 days away with the opening rounds at the Daytona Short Track, and what is considered the unofficial kick off to the season at the Oglethorpe Speedway in Pooler, GA. on March 4, the Weirbach Racing team and rider Bauman don't have much time left to get the final items put together for the season ahead. But from the looks of their new mount in the press release shot, it looks as if they have a pretty good start already!

You can check out the team's official press release below, and from one Iowan to another couple of great guys out of the Hawkeye State, we wish the boys from Ottumwa and Californian Bauman the best of luck in the upcoming season!


Press release courtesy of Weirbach Racing, the Ottumwa, Iowa-based winner's of the
2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Pro Singles Championship

Briar Bauman to campaign 2016 with Weirbach Racing

February 2 2016, Ottumwa, Iowa­ -- Weirbach Racing is pleased to announce
the sponsorship support of Briar Bauman for 2016, in AMA Pro Flat Track's
premier GNC 1 division.

21-year-old Bauman has accomplished much in his young career with series
wins at Daytona short track in 2014 and most recently at the 2015 season
finale in Las Vegas. The Vegas win secured Briar 5th position in the
overall series point standings for 2015. Briar also secured a respectable
6th-place finish at the inaugural Harley-Davidson XGames flat track event
last year in Austin,Texas.

Weirbach Racing's Racing Unlimited/Spectro/Barnett-sponsored
Kawasaki EX650-based GNC1 Twins bike
is shown adorned with the team's new
livery and National #14 of new rider Briar
Bauman for the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track
Grand National Championship GNC1 season. Photo courtesy of Richard Weirbach's Facebook page.





Briar's take on the upcoming season,  "I am really excited to join Weirbach
Racing for the 2016 season. I believe we are capable of great things. Goals
for 2016 are to win a Twins National and finish in the top-3 for the series."

Briar is no stranger to the podium on a 750, with 3rd-place finishes last
year at Lima and Sturgis and in 2013 at Pomona and has set his sights on
reaching the top step aboard a twin cylinder bike.

Weirbach Racing's established stable of Kawasaki twins have been developed
and refined over the last 3 seasons with proven results. Partnering with
Racing Unlimited's Alan Rodenborn has been key to the performance and
dependability of the team's Kawasaki power plants.

Ted Weirbach commented, "We are proud and excited to sponsor
Briar. He is a great young talent with solid character and a desire to win. He
has proven that he has what it takes to run up front on all types of tracks.
I can't wait to see what we can accomplish together."

The team is busy building and preparing and testing motorcycles over the
winter months, aimed at a successful 2016 season. Dick Weirbach stated,
"We believe that things are coming together at the right time and it is special
 to have a rider of Briar's caliber controlling the throttle. I am looking forward
 to a great year."

About Weirbach Racing:

Weirbach Racing is run, owned and operated by Ted Weirbach and his father
Dick Weirbach.  Dick is a veteran of the flat track scene for better than 35
years.  He ran as a novice in the late 60's and owned a Bultaco motorcycle
shop for eight years.

Weirbach Racing was founded in 2000. In 2009, the inaugural year of the
AMA Pro Singles Championship, Weirbach Racing's James "the Rocket"
Rispoli took 2nd-place overall and in 2011 Mikey Martin won the Pro
Singles Championship. Other notables to ride for Dick & Ted are Henry
Wiles, Sammy Halbert, Aaron King, Jesse Janisch, Davey Durelle and
Rob Pearson. 

Check their web site for more information: http://www.weirbachracing.com

About Racing Unlimited Kawasaki/Victory/Polaris:

The multi-line dealership is soon to celebrate it's 25th year in business.
The store is one of the Midwest's largest 'Kawasaki Team Green' dealers,
and is also a Race Tech Suspension Center.

For more information see: http://www.racingunlimited.com

AMA Pro Flat Track Releases Mostly-Complete 2016 AMA Grand National Championship Season Schedule

AMA Pro Flat Track released their 2016 schedule late last night, and other then a couple of minor changes and TBAs to it the racing season ahead is mostly what had been talked about and shown forth from late last fall.

As had been put forth and discussed, both Daytona Short Track rounds, the Springfield Mile races, the Peoria TT, Charlotte Half-Mile, the Sacto Mile, Lima Half-Mile and Sturgis Half-Mile all return to this year's upcoming season schedule.

Listed as TBA include what were previously 'tentative' rounds to wrap up the season in California (Calistoga Half-Mile) and the season ending round in Las Vegas (now listed as TBA in Northern California).

Although this is the latest we have seen the schedule being released (in what seems like ever), new AMA Pro Racing CEO Michael Lock discussed this with Barry Boone on his 'Talking Motorcycles' radio show a couple of weeks ago and made a big point of saying that going forward they want to have the schedule in place by mid-late summer, which would be a much better scenario for especially all of the teams wanting to go after sponsors for their respective budgets for the next season. That in itself would be a major move forward for the sanctioning body that is famous for releasing their schedule very late in the year (in the past five-six seasons previous schedules had been released from late November to early-mid December).

In the shot above, riders roar off the line in heat race #1 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds during the legendary Indy Mile, round 7 of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines season on July 11.

(L-R) Brad Baker on the #6 Harley-Davidson Motor Co/Screaming Eagle Performance Products/Arai Helmets-sponsored factory H-D XR750, Jared Mees on the #1 Las Vegas H-D/Rogers Racing/Harley-Davidson Motor Co-backed XR750, Henry Wiles on the #17 Zanotti Racing/Motion Pro/Bell Helmets-sponsored XR750, Brandon Robinson on the #44 Latus Motorsports/Castrol/Triumph America-sponsored Triumph Bonneville and Mikey Martin on the #91 Weirbach Racing/Racing Unlimited/Barnett-sponsored Kawasaki EX650 get the jump after the green light to lead the charge towards Indy's turn one.

With the release of the schedule, fans can now start 'officially' making their plans to attend the races of their choice for the season ahead, with the Daytona Short Track season opening doubleheader just 47 days away.

You can check out the full schedule below in the press release thanks to AMA Pro Flat Track.

AMA Pro Racing announces 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track schedule

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 22, 2016) - AMA Pro Racing is proud to announce an all-star lineup of events for AMA Pro Flat Track's 2016 schedule. The 15-round calendar combines events steeped in the rich history of the Grand National Championship with some new cities and new circuits. At the start of 2016, defending Grand National Champion Jared Mees finds himself in a familiar place as he leads the charge in AMA Pro Flat Track's premier division, Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines. He'll be joined by some fresh competition this year, as defending GNC2 champ Davis Fisher has ascended the ranks to challenge the veterans. The 2016 season will begin during the Bike Week festivities in Daytona Beach with a quarter-mile kickoff at the DAYTONA Flat Track on March 10 and 11, and will wrap up in early October with a yet-to-be-announced two-race swing through California. On April 9, AMA Pro Flat Track heads to Austin, Texas to make its debut at the world-class Circuit of the Americas, racing alongside the stars of MotoGP and MotoAmerica as part of the Grand Prix of the Americas weekend. Next up is the first of the new events on the calendar, the Arizona Mile at Turf Paradise in Phoenix, Ariz. on May 14. Mile racing fans will be happy to know that the historic Sacramento Mile will take place on May 21 and the legendary Springfield Mile returns to the calendar on the familiar dates of Memorial Day (May 29) and Labor Day (September 4). Remington Park will play host to the Oklahoma City Mile on June 18, marking the first mile for the Sooner State. Wrapping up the summer, the series will visit a trio of Half-Mile circuits, Lima Half-Mile (June 25), Charlotte Half-Mile (July 30) and Sturgis Half-Mile (August 9), before Henry Wiles gets his shot at making it 12 consecutive wins at the Peoria TT on August 14. The final new event on the schedule will be held in New York State on August 20. Details about the remaining dates and any additional events will be released as soon as they are available. 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Schedule: March 10: DAYTONA Flat Track I - Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fla. March 11: DAYTONA Flat Track II - Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fla. April 9: Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas May 14: Arizona Mile - Turf Paradise, Phoenix, Ariz. May 21: Sacramento Mile - Cal Expo Fair, Sacramento, Calif. May 29: Springfield Mile I - Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Ill. June 18: Oklahoma City Mile - Remington Park, Oklahoma City, Okla. June 25: Lima Half-Mile - Allen County Fairgrounds, Lima, Ohio July 30: Charlotte Half-Mile - Charlotte Motor Speedway, Charlotte, N.C. August 9: Sturgis Half-Mile - Black Hills Speedway, Rapid City, S.D. August 14: Peoria TT - Peoria Motorcycle Club, Peoria, Ill. August 20: TBA, New York State September 4: Springfield Mile II - Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Ill. September 17: TBA, Southern California Early October: TBA, Northern California 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 http://www.amaproracing.com/ft/, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook or live stream the on-track action on FansChoice.tv. 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

Mikey Martin Takes Weirbach Racing Kawasaki to 4th-Place Finish at the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Indy Mile for Best-Ever Career Finish

2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Pro Singles Champion Mikey Martin and the Iowa-based Weirbach Racing team came away from the last round of the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship at the legendary Indy Mile with their first top-5 finish and Martin's best-ever finish of his young career of 4th-place.

Indy was a mash-up of 'hurry up' all day, as storms working their way towards the Circle City from Eastern Illinois appeared to be imminent as the early evening program progressed. As a result, AMA Pro Flat Track put the show on in 'quick mode' doing away with one practice session altogether as well as the semi races part of the evening's races. Although all of those 'imminent' storms broke up completely before getting within 20 miles of the Indiana State Fairgrounds-hosted event, the shortened program proved to be advantageous to several riders and teams. Martin and the Weirbach team were one group of individuals who capitalized on the race's 'hurry up' mode.

After qualifying in the 'lucky 13' spot (shown above during one of the qualifying sessions at Indy on the #91 Weirbach Racing/Racing Unlimited/Flat Track Live/Barnett-sponsored Kawasaki EX650-based 750 effort), Martin was able to take advantage of his top-6 heat race finish (5th-place in GNC1 heat #1) and put the team's slick looking Kawasaki into the main right out of the gate.

With the three red flags brought on by crashes including Shawn Baer, Henry Wiles and Jeffrey Carver, Jr., Martin was able to work his magic on each of the resulting restarts to slowly work his way into the top-5, eventually taking his best-ever effort of 4th-place and moving himself into the 15th-place spot in the championship points standings, and giving himself and the team their third top-10 for the year on their freshly-rebuilt Kawasaki.

With Indy being the halfway point of the season, the team is looking to improve on their finish and hopes to be able to start off the second half of the racing season on a positive note on Tuesday night in Black Hills, SD at the Black Hills Half-Mile.

Congrats to Martin and the Weirbach team for a fine finish, these guys have worked hard to get where they are at and deserve this hard-fought finish. Check out their brief press release below and when you get to the races, make sure you stop by the Weirbach Racing pits and tell them 'hi' and wish them luck on their great team efforts!


Press release courtesy of Weirbach Racing

After a very disappointing outing at the DuQuoin Mile, we focused our effort on the Indy Mile to redeem ourselves. 

There was a big threat of storms in the Indianapolis area so a very short program was run by AMA Pro Racing. After qualifying 13th we took a short break and headed right into the heat races.

Mikey Martin on the #91 Weirbach Racing Kawasaki is shown during one of the qualifying rounds at the Indy Mile on July 11, 2015. Photo courtesy of Weirbach Racing by Brent Pierce/BTP Photography.








The pressure was really on to transfer direct to the main as there would be
no semi races today.  After a bad start Mikey managed to finish 5th and that
would put him on the 3rd row for the main event. There were three red flags that
led to three restarts, and with each one Mikey improved his overall position
on the track. He successfully worked his way into a very solid 4th-place when the
checkered flag waved.
 
We will be headed to Rapid City, SD for a half-mile Grand National on August
4th, so if you are at the Sturgis Rally please stop by our pit area so we can
thank you for all the support.


Weirbach Racing
11350 Dahlonega Road
Ottumwa, Iowa 52501


Martin and  the Weirbach Racing team wish to thank the following sponsors for their support:

Racing Unlimited, General Engineering, Barnett, Spectro, Shorai, 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, Supertrapp, TNT Harley Davidson, Yoyodyne, West
Coast Racing, Regina Chain, Pit Posse, Cosmetic Gaskets,
ProFactoryHoses.com, Engine Ice, Chicken Hawk Racing, White lightning
Retrievers, Lightshoe, Paint by Smokey, Ottumwa Honda, Boyesen HP360/Octane
Sports Management.

AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Round at the Sacramento Mile on May 30 to Feature Battle of the Legends

One of the big highlights of last year's AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship round at the Sacramento Mile--besides the stellar racing held at the Cal-Expo Fairgrounds facilities, of course--was the 'match race' between two of the premier legends of the sport, former 7-Time AMA Grand National Champion Chris Carr and former 3-Time AMA Grand National Champion Jay Springsteen.

Well fans on the Left Coast won't have to wait much longer to see a rematch between the duo, as SMI, the promoters of the Sacto Mile, has invited both The Prince of Peoria and Springerman back to duke it out again during round 4 of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season on Saturday, May 30.

Last year's 'exhibition' race between the two saw Carr, aboard a Zanotti Racing Harley-Davidson XR750 and Springer, aboard a Rogers Racing XR750, battle throughout their match race around the track in what was described as a no-holds-barred tuck and draft right down to the finish. The Sacto Mile knows how to entertain fans and run a superb program, and bringing two of the most heralded heroes of the sport back again to entertain and thrill the crowd is but one way these folks show the fans a great time and a great night of racing.

In the shot above, heat race #3 during the Springfield Mile I on May 25 saw Henry Wiles on the #17 Don's Kawasaki/DPC Racing/EA Racing-sponsored Kawasaki EX650 hound early leader Willie McCoy for the first seven laps of the 8-lap qualifying heat, only to get around him on the last go around and take the win in his inaugural ride on his new Green Machine. Jared Mees on the #9 Rogers Racing/Las Vegas H-D/Blue Springs H-D-backed XR750 and McCoy on his #59 H-D of Wausau/Tucker Rocky/Independence H-D try to do their best to get back in front of The Hammer as they come out of turn four, with Wiles going on to take the win ahead of the duo by .037 and .079 seconds respectively. Mikey Martin on the #91 Bonneville Performance/Factory Triumph Racing/Castrol Racing-sponsored Triumph Bonneville brings up the rear in what would see Martin heading to the semi in order to qualify for the National main at round 3 of the 2014 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship at the Illinois State Fairgrounds over the Memorial Day weekend.

Bravo and a tip of the helmet goes out to SMI and the great team of folks helming the ship at the running of the Sacramento Mile for going over the top to bring Carr and Springer back for another match race, as it shows their unparalleled support of the sport and how to go about bringing the fans in and showing them a good time for their buck$ to go along with hosting The Rolling Thunder Show, the best two wheeled racing in the world.

You can check out the full press release below, and if you are on the West Coast, you don't want to miss this one as it is guaranteed to be a barn burner at Cal-Expo on May 30!


Press release courtesy of the Sacramento Mile

Clash of the Titans II: Springsteen vs. Carr at the 2015 Sacramento Mile

Flat Track Legends to Meet in Friendly Rematch

SACRAMENTO, CA (April 1, 2015) – One of the highlights of the 2014 AMA Pro Grand National Championship season was the Shootout Exhibition ride between Jay Springsteen and Chris Carr at last year’s Sacramento Mile. The friendly contest between the two AMA Grand National living legends was so popular with the fans that they demanded a rematch and what the fans want they get. So at this year’s 50^th running of the Sacramento Mile, at Cal Expo on May 30, 2015, fans will not only get a chance to meet two of racing’s superstars during the evening’s festivities, but the night will be highlighted by a the return of the friendly one-on-one Shootout Exhibition ride on the Mile between the Hall of Famers dubbed “Clash of the Titans II”.

Springsteen took victory in last year’s inaugural Clash by the slightest of margins. He’ll be looking to repeat at this year’s event, but look for Carr to go all out to try to even the score.

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.

 

 

7-Time AMA Grand National Champion Chris Carr on the #4 Zanotti Racing XR750 battles with 3-Time AMA Grand National Champion Jay Springsteen on the #9 Rogers Racing XR750 during their exhibition match race at the Sacto Mile in 2014. The duo will return for their second go at it during round 4 of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship in Sacramento at the Cal-Expo Fairgrounds on May 30. Photo courtesy of the Sacramento Mile by Dave Hoenig/Flat Trak Fotos.com.

 

 

California’s own Chris Carr was the dominant rider in the AMA Grand National Championship during the early 2000s. The native of Stockton won seven national championships and retired second on the AMA Grand National all-time wins list with 78. He rode for Harley-Davidson as a factory rider for much of his early career, but gained the majority of his success as a private team owner. He was also one of the few riders in his era of Grand National racing to attract major corporate sponsorship, being backed by Ford Motor Company. Carr considered the Sacramento Mile his home race and he is one of the most successful riders ever in the classic event. He won a total of nine Grand Nationals in Sacramento, his first coming in 1987 and his final win there coming in 1999.

“We heard the fans loud and clear and we’re happy to bring Jay and Chris back for Sacramento’s Clash of the Titans II,” said Steve McLaughlin, of SMI, the group promoting the event. “Even though both of these legendary riders are retired they proved last year that they had enough speed in reserve to have qualified for the National last year. We never expected the guys to go that fast, but it shows that they still have their competitive spirits completely intact. It’s going to be hard to top last year’s Clash, but we’re looking forward to the rematch.”

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 and this year’s race at Cal Expo is the only Grand National Mile in the West. Flat track racing has produced many of America’s Motorcycle World 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.

Practice for the 50^th Sacramento Mile begins on Saturday, May 30 at 2:00 p.m. and opening ceremonies for the evening program kick off at 6:00 p.m.

Visit us at: http://www.sactomile.com/
Via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SactoMile
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sactomile
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/sactomile

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*** 2015 Ticket Information: Ticket information is available for the May 30, 2015 Sacramento Mile at www.sactomile.com.

Fans can order tickets online  at https://secure.interactiveticketing.com/b/ae283e, by calling 1-844 SAC MILE (1-844- 722-6453).

Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are available. Contact the Cal Expo Group Sales Department at boxoffice@calexpo.com for more information.

Weirbach Racing's Mikey Martin #91 Has Up & Down Start to the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Season

2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Pro Singles Champion Mikey Martin started off the 2015 Bike Week flat track races with super solid results in early March, especially considering that he was still new to his 'old' team's Kawasaki Twins mounts. Martin, who for the last three seasons in the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship series had campaigned the Bonneville Performance Triumphs, switched teams during the off season and is back with the Iowa-based Weirbach Racing team of father-and-son duo Richard and Ted Weirbach who together helped Martin to his first professional championship just over four seasons ago.

The Weirbach team, in just their second season campaigning the Kawasaki EX650 mounts, was quick to help get Martin adjusted to the differences in the 700 and 750cc-based Twins and Martin left the Steve Nace Racing-promoted Savannah and Volusia Half-Mile races with solid finishes of 6th-place and 3rd-place. However, when it came time for Daytona, things went south quick for the former Pro Singles Champ, but not for lack of trying by either Martin or the Hawkeye State boys who have learned to stay tough when the going gets rough in The Rolling Thunder Show.

In the shot above, Martin rips off a lap on the #91 Bonneville Performance/Woody Kyle Racing/Kibblewhite-sponsored Honda CRF450R during one of the qualifying sessions at the Peoria TT on August 11 during the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship stop at Thunder Valley.

Martin failed to make either of the main events in Daytona, but that doesn't and won't deter either him or the Weirbach team. With the Springfield Mile now just less then two months away, all should be ready to heat up the action over the Memorial Day weekend on the team's potent Kawawaskis.

Check out Weirbach Racing's press release below and see what they were up against in their first full week of racing back together again down south in Georgia and Florida. And we wish them the very best of luck in the rest of the upcoming season and know they will get things sorted out once the heat of the season gets boiling!


Press release courtesy of Weirbach Racing, the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Pro Singles Championship team.

Mikey Martin makes his way to a podium finish in second start with Weirbach Racing!

The 2011 Pro Singles Champ wasted no time getting back in the groove
with his old team. This time as a Expert/GNC1 rider. Mikey Martin has
re-joined  Ted & Dick Weirbach owners of Weirbach Racing, the same team that
helped him win his 2011 AMA Pro Singles Championship.

If his 3rd place Expert Twins finish at Volusia Speedway in Barberville, Fla  and a 6th place
on the fast clay 1/2 mile in Savannah, Ga. was an indicator as to how his
season will go, plan to see more podium finishes for this team.

Mikey Martin is shown in action on the #91 Weirbach Racing/Racing Unlimited/General Engineering-sponsored Kawasaki EX650 during one of the Bike Week flat track events leading up to the season-opening rounds of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship on March 12-13. Martin finished the Savannah and Volusia rounds with solid results to show for his efforts in the first time in competition back with his old team that helped him to win the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Pro Singles Championship. Photo courtesy of Weirbach Racing.




Martin, who has spent the first 3 seasons as an AMA Expert/GCN1 rider with
the Bonneville Performance/Castol/Triumph team says he has learned a lot
the past few seasons and is eager to take on the competition.

"I have learned a lot of the past 3 seasons. Making that step from Pro
Singles to Expert Twins isn¹t always easy, but I feel confident that I can
be a contender this season. If we concentrate on consistency and solid
finishes, we will be in the hunt this season. Last year, coming off of an
injury was difficult. This season I¹m better prepared, I¹m more fit and I¹m
focused. I¹m really excited to see what the Weirbach Kawasaki Twin will do
on the Springfield Mile," stated Martin.

Weirbach Racing is also supporting Martin in his 450cc efforts. Finishing
5th at the Savannah 1/2 mile race and 4th at Volusia in the Expert Singles,
Martin knows his Singles rides will improve. The results were not near as
good at the GNC short track in Daytona Beach, Fl. as he failed to make the
main event either night.
 
Martin and Weirbach Racing team wish to thank the following sponsors for
their support:

Racing Unlimited, General Engineering, Barnett, Spectro, Shorai, 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, Supertrapp, TNT Harley Davidson, Yoyodyne, West
Coast Racing, Regina Chain, Pit Posse, Cosmetic Gaskets,
ProFactoryHoses.com, Engine Ice, Chicken Hawk Racing, White lightning
Retrievers, Lightshoe, Paint by Smokey, Ottumwa Honda, Boyesen HP360/Octane
Sports Management.

Weirbach Racing
11350 Dahlonega Road
Ottumwa, Iowa 52501

AMA Pro Flat Track Announces Additions of Delaware & Charlotte Half-Miles to 2015 Grand National Championship Schedule

The 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season just grew by another two rounds as AMA Pro Racing announced late Thursday that two new venues and races had been added to the series' schedule, bringing the total of races for the season to 16 events.

The Delmar, Delaware and Charlotte, NC Half-Miles were announced as new additions to The Rolling Thunder Show's season, of which the Charlotte event is actually a return for the series after having last visited their during the 2000-2002 campaigns. Delmar is a completely new location for the series.

Not only will the GNC1/Expert riders be competing at speed at these new events, but the GNC2/formerly known as Pro Twins riders and teams will also roll out during these events, giving the junior series league riders another opportunity to taste the speed and endurance it takes to compete in the big leagues of the greatest racing series on two wheels in the world. The Delmar round is slotted into the schedule for September 19 while Charlotte will see the series roll into town on August 29.

In the shot above, riders in heat race #1 sit at the ready for the light to turn green to determine the first three direct qualifying spots in round 14 of the 2014 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season at the Springfield Mile II on August 31.

Ready to blast off are (L-R) Brad Baker on the #1 Harley-Davidson Motor Co/Screamin' Eagle Racing Parts/Dunlop Tire-sponsored factory XR750, Jared Mees on the #9 Rogers Racing/Las Vegas H-D/Blue Springs H-D-backed XR750, eventual heat and event winner Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. on the #2 Zanotti Racing/Moroney's H-D/Burt Ives Honda-sponsored XR750, Sammy Halbert on his #7 South East H-D/White's H-D/Specialty Fabrications-backed Kawasaki EX650, Mikey Martin on the #91 Bonneville Performance/Factory Triumph Racing/Castrol Racing-backed Triumph Bonneville 955, and former AMA Grand National #16 and new for 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track director Ronnie Jones on the #74G Harley-Davidson of Salina/Alpinestars/Arai-sponsored Harley-Davidson XR750.

Last week brought some great news to the series not only with the addition of these two great venues, but with the announcement that Harley-Davidson had jumped on board as the title sponsor for the series for the 2015 season.

You can check out the full press releases below thanks to the folks out of Daytona Beach.









AMA Pro Racing announces addition of Delmar, Del., race to the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track schedule

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 19, 2015) - AMA Pro Racing announced today the addition of a Half-Mile race to the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track schedule, which will be held at Delaware International Speedway in Delmar, Del., Sept. 19.   The addition of the "Roar on the Shore," which will coincide with a popular motorcycle rally in nearby Ocean City, Md., brings the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track schedule to 16 total events.   "We're happy to add a new venue to our 2015 schedule, and to return to the state of Delaware," said Michael Gentry, Chief Operating Officer of AMA Pro Racing. "Grand National Championship events in Delaware date back to 1975, and with the track's proximity to major population centers and a motorcycle rally in Ocean City, we know this will be a very popular event."   Delaware International Speedway, located just north of the Maryland border and a short trip from Salisbury, Md., will be a new venue for AMA Pro Flat Track.   "We're excited to bring the top flat track riders in the country to Delaware International Speedway," said John Zimmerman, one of the promoters of the event, along with Charlie Cathel, Bob Jones, Cher Zimmerman and Johnny Zimmerman.   AMA Pro Flat Track last raced in Delaware in 2002 when it ran a Half-Mile in Harrington, Del. That event was first run in 1975. The First State has seen wins from legends such as Scott Parker, Jay Springsteen and Steve Morehead. Christopher Hart won the last race held in Delaware, aboard a Harley-Davidson.   Both the Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines class and the GNC2 class will be featured at Delmar, and both classes will run twin-cylinder motorcycles.    For more information on Delaware International Speedway, please visit: http://delawareracing.com/DirtTrack/   Every round of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track season will be available live, in high definition and free of charge for fans to watch online at www.FansChoice.tv.

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.

AMA Pro Racing adds the Don Tilley Memorial Charlotte Half-Mile at Charlotte Motor Speedway to 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track schedule

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 19, 2015) - AMA Pro Racing is pleased to announce the addition of a Half-Mile race to be held at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C., on Aug. 29 to its 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track schedule.   The world-class Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway will play host to the best dirt track riders in the world in an event that will be known as the Don Tilley Memorial Charlotte Half-Mile to honor the Harley-Davidson racing icon. Tilley's storied career started in the 1960s. He led several championship teams including the famous Lucifer's Hammer Battle of the Twins Harley-Davidson with rider Gene Church. Tilley maintains the record as one of the most successful racing builders in AMA history.    "Adding Charlotte to our 2015 schedule is very exciting," said Michael Gentry, Chief Operating Officer of AMA Pro Racing. "Not only is the facility top-notch, but its location in the heart of America's racing country means we can expect to see plenty of fans, both new and old. We're also happy to be able to honor someone who had such an imprint on motorcycle racing as Don Tilley."   AMA Pro Flat Track last raced in Charlotte in 2002 in a Half-Mile race won by Kevin Varnes. The two other AMA Pro Flat Track races held in Charlotte were won by Will Davis in 2001 and Mike Hacker in 2000.   "We're excited to bring AMA Pro Grand National flat track racing back to Charlotte," said Steve McLaughlin, of SMI, the company promoting the event. "As we all know, this region of the Carolinas is a world center of racing and there was a real hunger on the part of motorcycle fans to have an AMA Pro Grand National in North Carolina. We're also humbled by the opportunity to get to honor one of the true legends of motorcycling in Don Tilley, my friend for over 40 years. His passing last year left all of us in the motorcycling community mourning and it will be wonderful for fans, family and friends of the Tilleys to be able to come together and not only memorialize a legend, but to also celebrate his life in the way that I'm sure he would have loved."   Both the Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines class and the GNC2 class will be featured at Charlotte, and both classes will run twin-cylinder motorcycles.   For more information on the Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway, visit: http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/dirt/   A Facebook page for the event can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/DonTilleyMemCharlotteHM   Every round of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track season will be available live, in high definition and free of charge for fans to watch online at www.FansChoice.tv.

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.