Brandon Robinson's Savannah & Volusia Steve Nace All-Star Racing & AMA Pro Flat Track Daytona Race Report

Brandon Robinson left rounds 1 & 2 of the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines series in Daytona with a firm hold on 3rd-place in the overall championship standings after wrapping up a solid 2-6 finish in both races at the Daytona Beach stadium season opener.

With Thursday night's winner Sammy Halbert leading the standings with 40 points and Friday night's winner Jake Johnson close behind in 2nd-place with 37 points, BRob44 is in good company another five points back with the next event in Austin, TX. in just three short weeks on Saturday, April 9.

In the shot above, Robinson puts his #44 TJ Burnett Farms/John Y Racing/Armbruster Racing-sponsored Honda CRF450R through it's paces during qualifying for the Peoria TT during round 10 of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines series in Thunder Valley on August 16.

Robinson was also rewarded with a fine effort in both rounds of the Steve Nace AMA All-Star National Flat Track Series in Savannah, GA. and Barberville, FL. to kick off his new season with his new team, Jerry Kennedy Racing. BRob44 will be racing XR750s and Kawasakis this season after spending last year riding for the Latus Motorsports Triumph team, getting him back on more familiar equipment in the Kawasakis with which he won the double on back in 2013 while riding for the TJ Burnett Farms Kawasaki squad. He also will have the benefit of reteaming with one of the finest tuners in the business in Brent Armbruster, so their second year together should prove very rewarding.

Check out BRob's official race report below and keep an eye out for the Pennsylvania resident this year as he should be a force to be reckoned with in the fight for the championship. Congrats to Brandon and the team for a great start to the season and the best of luck for this year as the season progresses!



Press release courtesy of Brandon 'BRob44' Robinson


BRob44 Daytona Race Report


Oxford, PA. -- March 18, 2016

Hey everyone!

Well another Daytona Bike Week has come & gone. Seems like every year it goes by faster & faster, but as always it was a blast!

I left a week earlier than normal this year to go meet up with my tuner, Brent Armbruster, up in Michigan to help get everything finished up & loaded. First stop on the Kennedy Racing trip was Savannah, and boy do I love Savannah! It is my absolute favorite track so it's always good to do some testing & kick off the new season there.

On to race day, had a hard fought battle in the Singles main with Mees & Baker, which saw each of us take turns at the lead. Ended up with a very close 3rd in that one.  Felt like I let the Singles win slip through my fingers so I went out for the Twins main with a plan for some redemption.  

Got a great start & took the lead coming off turn two where I never looked back! Ended up winning the Twins main by darn near a straightaway! It was a huge confidence booster & a perfect way to start off the new season with my new team. Let's just say the guys were pretty stoked!  

The next event we planned on was the All-Star National at Barberville. A bunch of guys tend to skip this race because of how the track has been in the past, but Steve Nace did a great job with the track prep and gave us a good track to race on. 

For some reason all day I was just a tick off & felt like I was struggling. It was one of those days where every time I got a good start the race would get red flagged, then on the restart well, yup you guessed it, I would suck it up & have to work my way from behind. Anyways I ended up with a 4th in the Singles class & a solid 3rd in the Twins. Not a bad day, but not what I was looking for.

We had a day off before we did a little bit of testing on the Singles to prepare for Daytona where we actually bounced around to a couple different tracks. It was kinda nice to get a bunch of laps in & try some new things. The next day Brent cleaned up all the bikes & well I took advantage of the warm weather and goofed off on my Jamis bicycle for a while!  
All the preparation & hard work was about to be put to the test at the first National of the year, the Daytona short track! Unlike most riders on the circuit, I absolutely love Daytona. I love how challenging this track is & the fact that I got my first Grand National win there don't hurt either!  

Qualifying on day one went pretty good where we ended up 5th overall. I ended up 2nd in my heat to Johnny Lewis. Brent made a couple small changes to the bike as the track was starting to get really rough. We made the right changes for sure as I was able to move my way up to 2nd pretty quick in the opening laps of the main. From there I played a game of cat & mouse with Sammy Halbert, where I just never got close enough to do anything with him. With a couple laps to go I just settled in and brought the Kennedy Racing/Armbruster Racing/TJ Burnett Farms Honda 450 home in 2nd-place!  It was a great feeling getting back on the box, feels like its been forever!  

 

Brandon Robinson is shown on the podium
after his 2nd-place finish at the AMA Pro Flat
Track Grand National Championship round 1 at
the Daytona Short Track. Photo courtesy of
Brandon Robinson by Jerry Kennedy.

The cool thing about Daytona is we get the chance to do it all over again the next day. Day two in qualifying didn't go quite as smooth. Felt a tad off all day as the track was a bit different than normal. I ended up going down in the last session, which happened to be the faster session so I ended up a dismal 21st overall. I wasn't too worried as I knew we were a lot better than that & when it comes to racing I seem to always step it up a bit.  

I was on the second row for my heat race, but with an aggressive first couple laps I was able to work my way up to a 3rd-place finish & a direct transfer to the main. In the main I got probably the most gnarly start of my life where I was like 4th getting into turn one from the second row! Not sure how in the world I pulled that one off haha, but I sure liked it. 

Unfortunately I wasn't able to capitalize on that great start & I faded just a tad to an eventual 6th-place finish. I was pretty disappointed with myself as that is the worst I've finished in Daytona in the past four years. The track was definitely different though, something we have never seen where you could ride much higher than the normal bottom feeder line.  It was pretty greasy, but everyone has the same track so no excuses.  

 

Overall we had a great bike week & leaving Daytona 3rd overall in the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship isn't a bad way to start the year!  

 

Big thanks to my crew; Jerry, Brent, Lee, & TJ, all of our sponsors, fans, & my family for coming out to support me!  I appreciate it all, until next time, see y'all in Texas!  

Thanks, B!

Brandon Lee Robinson

15 Wood Valley Ln.

Oxford, PA 19363

484-888-9485

 

Twitter: @BRob44

Instagram: @BRob44

Facebook: Brandon Robinson

 

 

 

 

Kawasaki Antes Up $75K in Prize Monies For AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship

Kawasaki took a big step late last week and upped the ante to help out the Expert/GNC1 riders in the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship by providing $75K in prize monies that will be disbursed among the field at each event and at the end of the season in points pay outs. They will join Harley-Davidson who announced several weeks ago that they would be providing $126K in prize monies to the premier class in The Rolling Thunder Show.

The Kawasaki EX650-based parallel twin burst onto the scene in August 2010 when Bryan Smith, riding Bill Werner's original model, won not only the Indy Mile, but just eight days later also took home the spoils at the Springfield Mile II in early September of that year. Werner, the 13-time AMA Grand National Championship-winning tuner, had been working on perfecting the Mean Green twin for several seasons, and with Smith taking the two big track victories broke the long hold that the H-D XR750 had held in terms of wins on the big tracks since Honda's last win in August '98, and ultimately knocked the door down for a big handful of teams to start contesting the series on the reliable, and less costly Japanese twin.

Since that time almost six full seasons ago, Kawasaki has all but been the bike to beat on the big tracks, mostly under the control of mile specialist Flyin' Bryan Smith. However, in 2013 Brandon Robinson on a TJ Burnett Farms Kawasaki, took home the double win at the Springfield Mile I & II on August 31 and September 1 and showed the fans, the field and the teams that there was another force to be reckoned with. Smith also helped Kawasaki earn the manufacturers championship and won two Twins Series titles, and was within three points of winning the big pot of gold in the form of the 2014 AMA Grand National Championship if not for a DQ late in the season relegated him to finish second to fellow Michigan rider and long time racing friend and foe, Jared Mees.

In the shot above, Brandon Robinson and the #44 TJ Burnett Farms/USC/Hart Racing-backed Kawasaki team head out for rider intros prior to BRob44 winning the first of his double mile wins at the Springfield Mile I on Saturday, August 31. Robinson, who just four years earlier nearly had his career ended due to a nasty crash at the Indy Mile, totally dominated the Labor Day weekend at the Illinois State Fairgrounds by setting fast time, winning the fastest heat races, winning both Dash for Cash races, and taking home the king's share of the gold in totally dominating the rest of the field to win both Grand National mains on the James Hart-prepped and TJ Burnett-funded Kawasaki rockets. Robinson added to his first Grand National win at Daytona over five months earlier, and ended the season ranked as the 3rd-place rider in the greatest racing series on two wheels in the world. Team owner Burnett can be seen along the fence in the background.

There have been several other teams that have put a dent in the competition since Smith's first win on Werner's Monster Energy Kawasaki effort in August '10. Scott Powersports' effort, with Johnny Lewis and Matt Weidman turning the throttle both showed some grand results. This year they will have Sammy Halbert turning the throttles for them. Weirbach Racing will be in their second full season of campaigning the ultra fast Kawi twin, this year with 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Pro Singles Champ Mikey Martin back in the team's saddle, and no fewer then five or six other big teams that have made the switch to the Mean Green brand. And let's not forget Shayna Texter's dominating double wins at Springfield in 2013 aboard an Alan Rodenborn-prepped Racing Unlimited Kawi in the Basic Twins/Pro Twins class.

So it goes without saying that seeing Kawasaki step up to the plate in terms of big money for the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship is not only a great marketing tool for them but a super deal for the series, riders and teams. Seeing them come on board with not only race event pay outs but year-end pay outs is a big shot in the arm for the sport, and we say a big thank you and tip of the helmet for them taking this on for The Rolling Thunder Show. BRAVO and thank you Mean Green!

Check out the full release below thanks to AMA Pro Racing, and remember it's just two weeks time until racing gets into full swing for the season when the boys and girls of The Rolling Thunder Show head to the Illinois State Capitol for the Springfield Mile I on Sunday, May 24, and between you and me and the fencepost, I can't wait!

Kawasaki to post over $75,000 in contingency to AMA Pro Flat Track riders in 2015

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 6, 2015) - Kawasaki has entered the contingency battlefield in AMA Pro Flat Track's premier Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines class. The reigning AMA Pro Flat Track Manufacturer of the Year will post a total of $75,450 in the form of per-race and year-end payouts to participants competing on Kawasaki machinery throughout the 2015 season. "We would like to thank Kawasaki for supporting the sport and investing in our riders," said Michael Gentry, Chief Operating Officer of AMA Pro Racing. "Week in and week out, the riders are the ambassadors of our sport and the brands that they showcase on the race track. The 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track season is about to kick into high gear, and we're excited to see how the twin-cylinder competition unfolds at Springfield." The twin-cylinder EX650 has been the bike to beat on many of the Mile courses over the past few years, but in 2014 the Kawasaki platform proved its diversity when Bryan Smith took the checkered flag at Hagerstown and gave the brand its first ever Half-Mile victory. The single-cylinder Kawasaki KX450F has also been competitive in GNC1 Singles competition, sitting atop the podium at the Peoria TT in six of the last seven years with Henry Wiles on board. "This is a clear case of Kawasaki listening to our riders and expanding our Team Green program," said Chris Brull, Kawasaki Vice President of Marketing. "Over the last four years we have seen competitors in the AMA Pro Flat Track series choose Kawasaki and we want to reward them for that choice. Our Team Green program has been around for more than 30 years and our renewed support of Flat Track racing shows how the Team Green program continues to evolve." The pay day for Kawasaki riders will begin in less than 30 days as the series will visit Springfield, Ill., on May 24 for the iconic Springfield Mile. Kawasaki has been the machine of choice for the winner of four of the last five Springfield Miles. For tickets and information regarding the Springfield Mile, set to be held at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Ill., on May 24, fans are encouraged to call (217)753-8866. The entire event can also be viewed live and in high definition 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.

Brandon Robinson #44 Leaves AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Season Openers at Daytona With 2 Top-5 Finishes

2008 AMA Pro Flat Track Pro Twins Champion Brandon 'BRob44' Robinson started off the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season with a bang earlier this month and was able to bring his TJ Burnett Farms-sponsored Honda home for a 4th-place and 2nd-place finish in the season-opening rounds at the Daytona Short Track.

Robinson, who had switched back to the TJ Burnett Farms team late last season after struggling early in the season on the USC/Hart Racing Kawasaki team, helped to repay his previous season boss by getting such a strong start to the new season. Robinson will campaign this year's Singles Series events aboard big man Burnett's superb Hondas, while he will campaign the Twins Series events as the new member of the Latus Motors/Castrol Oil Racing team headed up by former 2000 AMA Grand National Champion Joe Kopp.

In the shot above, BRob44 gasses it up on the #44 TJ Burnett Farms/USC Racing/James Hart Racing-sponsored Kawasaki KX450F during the final qualifying session at the Peoria TT during round 7 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season on August 11.

BRob has his work cut out for him in the Twins Series events this season, but no more than any of the other riders including Johnny Lewis and Kopp who have tried to get the Latus Motors Triumph up to snuff in the ultra competitive Rolling Thunder Show. In what will be the third year for the team, Robinson just could be the man to make the slogan 'third time's a charm' come true for the Northwest Territory-based team.

Check out Brandon's press release below as he fills us all in on testing before the Daytona rounds and how he got through Daytona with such a fine set of finishes to kick off the 2015 season with a big jump start. As always, we wish the tall man the best of luck this year and look forward to seeing him get the Latus Motors Triumph up on the podium and the TJ Burnett Farms Honda back in the winners circle again this year. Go get 'em guys!


Press release courtesy of Brandon Robinson AMA Grand National #44

It sure is crazy to believe another Daytona has already come and gone!  Just like every year I’m pretty ramped up for the beginning of the season and this year was no different. 

 

This offseason I had a pretty big overhaul to my entire program from switching brands of motorcycles to having a new crew chief.  One thing I was really excited about was getting the chance to finally ride the Latus Motors Castrol Triumph.  We had some ups and downs throughout testing, but in the end we had a productive test where I was able to get a good feel for the Triumph.  Overall I’m pretty excited and after being able to get some laps on it I feel like the potential is there to have some good results. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brandon Robinson is shown on the #44 TJ Burnett Farms Honda during Bike Week festivities in early March. Photo courtesy of Brandon Robinson by Tom Stein/Northwest Track Shots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once all of our big bike testing was done we focused on getting ready for the opening rounds of the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship at the Daytona short track.

 

The last couple years have been very good to me at Daytona so my confidence was high that we could get the job done once again.   It was an amazing feeling to come out swinging right off the bat as we were fast right off the truck where we ultimately qualified 3^rd overall.  With the track developing a single racing line it made for an extremely tough track to pass on, as I found out with a bad start in my heat race that would put me on the second row for the main event. 

 

In the main I got as good of a start as I could from the second row and from there I methodically worked my way forward for a 4^th place finish.  Not a bad start to the season! 

 

Night two started off a little slower as I only mustered 11^th overall in timed qualifying.  AMA decided to water the track more frequently, which made the track really slick and this definitely benefited my riding style. 

 

The heat race went much better on night two as I was able to get out front early and run away with the win.  The best part was setting fast time and then we were able to go out and rip off the win in the Dash for Cash.  It was great to get that extra point towards the championship and at this point I felt ready for the main event. 

 

Then the track crew watered it right before the main making the track the slickest we had seen all night.  As the green light flashed in the main, I got off to a good start and was able to work my way to the lead by the beginning of lap two.  However it was short lived as Coolbeth got by me pretty much as soon as I took the lead and he continued to pull away until the finish.  I tried everything I could, but we were no match for him and I ended up bringing her home in 2^nd place. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robinson is shown on the podium during the Daytona Short Track II on Friday, March 13 after taking home a 2nd-place finish behind winner Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. and 3rd-place finisher Sammy Halbert. Photo courtesy of Brandon Robinson by Tom Stein/Northwest Track Shots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All in all it was a great start to my season ripping off a couple of top-5's, getting on the box one night, and leaving Daytona in 2^nd-place in the point standings. 

 

Can’t thank my entire crew that was at Daytona enough; Brent, Joe, and Lee for all of their hard work and help during bike week. 

 

Until next time I’ll be working harder than ever!  Thanks everyone for all of your support!

 

 

Singles Sponsors: TJ Burnett Farms, John Y Racing, Armbruster Racing, J&H Repair, Arai, AXO, Latus Motors, Secrets of Speed, Motion Pro, Works Connection, Castrol, Royal Publishing, Virus, Hartman Photography, ATI Physical Therapy, GoPro, Spider Grips, Built Clothing, Victory Circle, Saddlemen, K&N, Evans Coolant, Feeback Sports, Jamis, West Coast Hot Shoes

 

 

Twins Sponsors: Latus Motors, Castrol, Triumph America, GE Capital, Freedom Road Financial, K&N Penske, Motion Pro, Cometic, Wiseco, Saddlemen, Competition Werks, Bike Master, Moto Concepts, Joker, Mad Hatter, Pro Plates, Arai, AXO, Royal Publishing, Virus, Hartman Photography, ATI Physical Therapy, GoPro, Spider Grips, Built Clothing, Feedback Sports, Jamis, West Coast Hot Shoes, Impact Armour, NJK Leathers

 
Thanks, B!

 

Brandon Lee Robinson

150 Rock Woods Rd.

Oxford, PA 19363

484-888-9485

Twitter: @BRob44

Instagram: @BRob44

Facebook: Brandon Robinson

Brandon Robinson#44 Takes 4th-Place at AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Hagerstown Half-Mile

Round 6 of the 2014 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season is in the bag, and one of the toughest tracks on the schedule for Brandon Robinson and the #44 USC Kawasaki/USC Racing team showed even more promise for the boys based out of Southern Illinois.

Robinson, the 2008 AMA Pro Flat Track Basic Twins Champion, fell off in a big way to card only a 17th-place finish during his stint at Hagerstown in 2013, but turn it around this fine young man did last week to bring home a solid 4th-place finish that saw him and the team move into the 5th-place spot in the overall championship with the season not even at the halfway point yet.

In the shot above, Robinson watches as team member Billy Gruwell slings the starter motor into place to ready the #44 TJ Burnett Farms/USC/Hart Racing-backed Kawasaki EX650 for the upcoming first practice session at round 10 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship at the legendary Indy Mile on August 17, where BRob44 went on to card a 2nd-place finish, one of seven top-5s and one of six podium spots that Robinson took in order to garner a season-ending 3rd-place finish in the overall standings for the 2013 season.

With the way things are going for Robinson and the USC Kawasaki/Hart Racing squad this year, a better finish than what they were able to achieve last year isn't out of the question, although there is still a lot of racing yet to decide who does what for the season. So stay tuned and check out BRob44's race report from Hagerstown below.

With the weekend off, the series gets ready to roll into the Pacific Northwest next Saturday, July 19 for the Grays Harbor Raceway Half-Mile, round 7 of the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship.


Press release courtesy of Brandon Robinson and the USC Kawasaki/Hart Racing team.

Hey Everyone,

The busy race season is finally upon us and we had a short week to get ready for Hagerstown this past weekend. Hagerstown is kind of my home town race per say as it’s the only national I get to sleep in my own bed the night before. 

 

Anyways typically the weather this time of year out my way in brutally hot and humid, but we lucked out this year and had pretty much a picture perfect day. Not quite sure what it is about this place, but I never seem to have too much luck at this track. 

 

Things started off a little shaky on the night as I could only muster a 12^th during timed qualifying.  The team made some changes to the bike and it seemed a lot better right off the bat in the heat and I finished a close 2^nd place to eventual main event winner Bryan Smith. 

Brandon Robinson on the #44 USC Kawasaki/Hart Racing team's EX650 is shown in action at the Hagerstown Half-Mile round of the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season on July 5. Photo courtesy of Brandon Robinson and the USC/Hart team by Dave Hoenig/Flat Trak Fotos.com.




 

That put us in the Dash and on the front row for the main! We made a few more adjustments for the dash to see if we could find something. I didn’t get the best of start and got pushed wide going into turn three and finished 5^th in the dash. I knew the biggest thing I could do for the main was to get a good start, as track position is key at Hagerstown since there really isn’t much passing going on. 

 

Thankfully I was able to get a decent jump and drop in line fast. I was running 4^th for the first portion of the main until Kenny Coolbeth broke and for a moment I kind of thought I was going to have something for the leaders. As the race went on the track was drying out and my line just slowly went away from me. Eventually I fell back to 4^th place where I ultimately finished. 

 

All in all I was happy with this effort as it was my best finish at this track and it was another consistent finish that keeps us solidly in this championship hunt! 

 

Next up is Elma, WA in two weeks.

Thanks, B!

 

Brandon Robinson - GNC 44
15 Wood Valley Lane
Oxford, PA 19363
484-888-9485

Website:  BrandonRobinson44.com

Twitter:  @BRob44
Instagram: @BRob44
Facebook:  Brandon Robinson 

 

Sponsors:

 

USC Kawasaki, James Hart, Hot Shot Motorworks, Stevens Racing, R&D Machine, Arai, ATI Physical Therapy, Penske Shocks, AXO, Go Pro, Saddlemen, Pro Plates, Motion Pro, Royal Publishing, VC Graphix, KK Motorcycle Supply, Hartman Photography, Modotek, PMP Sprockets, Spectro Oils, Wiseco Pistons, Cometic Gaskets, Lectron Carburetors, Evans Coolant, Freegun, Marmor Fitness, G2 Ergonomics, West Coast Hot Shoes, Works Connection, K&N, Impact Armor, Built Clothing, Spider Grips, Spy Optic, WKR, Race Tech, Jim Chapman, Tom Scibek, John Y, TJB 

Brandon Robinson #44 Files His AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Daytona Short Track Rounds 1&2 Report

Brandon Robinson very likely put in the ride of the double opening rounds at the Daytona Short Track on March 13-14, but you can't blame him or his comeback ride for possibly being overshadowed by the wins taken by Briar Bauman in round 1 or Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. in round 2.

Robinson's 3rd-place finish was textbook riding in hanging with the leaders and doing what was necessary to keep Bauman and 2nd-place finisher Sammy Halbert within sight, as well as keeping the rest of the field well behind him.

But it was his performance in round 2 that ultimately could prove who ends up where in the overall point standings at the end of the season.

After coming into contact with Jake Constantine in the opening laps of the 25-lap National main, the Oxford, Pa. resident took a nasty fall that very well could have ended his evening. But after a red flag restart, coupled with a penalty/fourth row start, the field was off again, as was BRob44, but from a much further distance back then what he or anyone else could even have imagined when the evening's events began.

Slicing through traffic and passing riders one-by-one, Robinson put on a virtual clinic in how to regain valuable points and how even passing is possible on a slick, grooved limestone/sea shell-laden packed surface. By the end of the race, the former '08 Basic Expert Twins Champion had worked his way back into 5th-place, and had salvaged what could possibly been a bombshell of a day's efforts.

When the dust had settled on the two days of great racing, Robinson was left in tie for 3rd-place in the championship with night two winner Coolbeth, both just 12 points back from early-season leader Halbert and three points in arrears from evening two's 2nd-place man, Jake Johnson. Not too bad of a result after taking what could have been a nasty face plant, done for the evening crash, and turning it into what I consider the ride of the two rounds of racing to salvage a great result, and what what looked like a 'Wide World of Sports' thrill of victory moment!

In the shot above, Robinson works on set-up during the opening round of practice on the #44 TJ Burnett Farms/USC/Hart Racing-sponsored Kawasaki KX450F at the Peoria TT during round 7 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship on August 11.

A big congrats to all for some great racing over the course of the two evening's of racing on the Daytona International Speedway short track, but a huge tip of the helmet and 'hoorah!' to BRob44 for putting on one helluva ride for the fans in turning it all around and showing he hasn't missed a step since the end of the 2013 season and is ready to battle at the front again with the best of the best in The Rolling Thunder Show and in the best racing series on two wheels in the world!

You can check out Brandon's race report from the Daytona Short Track I&II below to see what he had to say about the season-opening rounds, and knowing him, it's probably doesn't sound as exciting as what I have put it, because that's just the kind of guy he is, but believe me, his version should sound JUST as exciting as mine!

Press release courtesy of Brandon Robinson & the USC/James Hart Racing Kawasaki AMA Pro Flat Track team

Brandon Robinson Starts off 2014 Strong in Daytona Beach

Oxford, PA (March 24, 2014) - The 2014 AMA Pro Flat Track season is here and the contenders are already making their way to the front of the pack. One rider who had a breakthrough season last year proved that 2013 was no fluke and came out swinging at Daytona. His name is Brandon Robinson.

 

Robinson suffered an injury during the off-season while testing at the Steve Nace Indoor Nationals in Duquoin, IL. He broke his collarbone and it required surgery for repair. He decided to race a few events before Rounds 1 & 2 at Daytona Flat Track to get comfortable on the bike again and test the twins he will be racing this season.

Brandon Robinson is shown on the #44 USC/James Hart Racing Kawasaki in preparation for the Daytona Short Track event during the season-opening round on March 13-14. Robinson had a 3-5 tally for the two nights of racing and very well had the ride of the night during round 2 where he came back from a fourth row start to card a 5th-place finish, picking off riders one-by-one during the 25-lap National main. Photo courtesy of Brandon Robinson/USC-James Hart Racing, by Dave Hoenig/AMA Pro Flat Track & Flat Trak Fotos.com.

“We did both of the Steve Nace All-Star races during Bike Week at Savannah and Volusia,” said Robinson. “I was a little rusty, but I felt solid on the bike. We won Savannah on the Twin and finished third at Volusia. We also did the Volusia Short Track race and got the victory from the back row. I felt good on the bike and I was feeling very confident heading in the Short Track.”

 

In 2013, Robinson won his first ever Grand National at Daytona en route to a 3rd-place overall finish in the championship. 

After qualifying fifth on Day 1, Brandon finished fourth in his heat race. This would put him on the second row for the main event. He rode a smart, smooth race and picked off as many riders as he could to finish on the podium in third place.  A very solid finish to kick off the season.

 

Day 2 started off similar with a sixth in qualifying. However, the heat race went much better and he grabbed the start he needed and checked out to grab the victory. It was looking very positive for the main event until another rider went down and collected Robinson in the process. He fought back from the fourth row to finish a very solid fifth place.

 

“I am satisfied with my finishes at the Daytona Flat Track,” said Robinson. “I think I had the speed to win the second day, but it’s short track racing and anything can happen. I am pleased with how I rode both days. I can’t complain about two top 5′s. We picked up good points and we are in a good position heading into Springfield.”

 

Robinson will once again campaign the USC Racing Kawasaki’s in the Expert Twins season this year and is looking to pick up where he left off last season where he won back-to-back Springfield Mile main events in the fall.

 

For more information on Brandon Robinson, follow him on social media. @BRob44 on Twitter and Instagram || Facebook.com/BrandonRobinsonRacing

 

Brandon Robinson 2014 Sponsors:

USC Kawasaki, James Hart, Hot Shot Motorworks, Stevens Racing, R&D Machine, Arai, ATI Physical Therapy, Penske Shocks, AXO, Go Pro, Saddlemen, Pro Plates, Motion Pro, Royal Publishing, VC Graphix, KK Motorcycle Supply, Hartman Photography, Modotek, PMP Sprockets, Spectro Oils, Wiseco Pistons, Cometic Gaskets, Lectron Carburetors, Evans Coolant, Marmor Fitness, G2 Ergonomics, West Coast Hot Shoes, Works Connection, K&N, Impact Armor, DAO, Spy Optic, WKR, Race Tech, Jim Chapman, Tom Scibek, John Y, TJB 

Thanks, B!

 

Brandon Robinson - GNC 44
15 Wood Valley Lane
Oxford, PA 19363
484-888-9485

Website:  BrandonRobinson44.com

Twitter:  @BRob44
Instagram: @BRob44
Facebook:  Brandon Robinson
 

PRESS RELEASE BY: PROMOS BY CTEX – CTexter@hotmail.com

AMA Pro Flat Track: Brandon Robinson #44 Splits from TJ Burnett Farms Kawasaki Team, USC/James Hart Racing to Go it Alone

The official news hit the web this week as it was announced that Brandon Robinson AMA Grand National #44 had decided to split from his 2013 team of TJ Burnett Farms Kawasaki. Although the cat was let out of the bag to me back on December 18, I took the high road that I always try to take in putting out news and info to let both TJ and Brandon make their respective announcements before I would divulge what I had been let in on.

RRob44 will be going it alone along with his 2013 tuner James Hart as James Hart Racing/USC will pursue their 2014 AMA Pro Flat Track efforts on their own Kawasaki EX650-based Twins.

After a stellar season in '13, Robinson ended the season ranked as the 3rd-place rider in the season-ending standings after having a breakout year campaigning the Burnett Farms Kawasakis in the Twins and Singles classes. BRob's first big win came just two races into the new season when he took the team's KX450F to the Daytona Short Track II win in March, and then did what virtually has been impossible-largely due to scheduling-and stole the doubleheader at the Springfield Mile Labor Day weekend marathon round some 5 1/2 months later. Robinson's stat line was a stuff of AMA Pro Flat Track legends that also included six podium finishes, seven top-5 finishes and nine top-10 finishes to go along with those three big wins on the year. Worst finishes of 17th (Hagerstown) and 18th (Peoria) and a DNS at Castle Rock kept him from what could have been an even better career year.

In the shot above, Robinson awaits the first practice round at the Indy Mile on the #44 TJ Burnett Farms/USC/James Hart Racing Kawasaki during round 8 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship on August 17. Tuner and then-fellow TJ Burnett Farms Racing team member James Hart can be seen walking up behind BRob44, with part time team mate JD Beach #95 in the background. Weirbach Racing's Rob Pearson #27 sits to Robinson's left, while Burnett team wrench Billy Gruwell holds the starter motor for the #44 team.

According to TJ Burnett, while attending to some health and family issues, some changes and decisions had been made that he was unaware of that led to the split with his team. However, Burnett promises to come back as strong as ever as he will be campaigning a Pro Singles Championship team for Pacific Northwest rider Davis Fisher, whom Burnett has been watching and working closely with for some time, grooming the youngster for his Pro debut coming up at Daytona in mid-March.

In the shot above, proud team owner TJ Burnett smiles as his rider, Robinson, suits up for the first practice session of the Springfield Mile II during round 11 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season on September 1. Robinson had just stolen the show in front of a packed house on one of Burnett's rockets at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, and several hours later would be smiling even more as his riders would again place 1-3 (with Beach taking a second 3rd-place finish over the weekend) in what was the team's home race. Burnett hails from Opdyke, IL. located approximately 30 miles east of Du Quoin, another flat track mecca over the decades. At the end of the weekend the Big Man was close to tears after having taken wins in the biggest event of AMA Pro Flat Track's long history, and deservedly so.

In the rough and tumble world of The Rolling Thunder Show, the most competitive and greatest form of racing on two wheels in the world, it's very hard to duplicate the success as a complete team, let alone after switching teams from one year to the next. History tells us that in order to continue with that same level of success, teams and riders that stick together over the course of their careers have the best chances of maintaining, let alone replicating or bettering their levels of success.

But with the level of talent that the TJ Burnett Farms Kawasaki team put together for the 2013 season, 2014 and beyond should look extremely bright-with all things being equal-for all members of this strong group of people. With Robinsons's last couple of season having grown stronger not only when riding for Bill Werner/Jay Springsteen team in the 2012 season and then again with the TJB team last year, plus the tuning talents of James Hart in his corner, #44's season should be large and bright.

And the same can be said for TJ Burnett and his young protégé, Davis, who has shown the level of talent that would befit an owner such as the Burnett Farms team to take him under his wing to further progress him along the ranks of and as a Pro and future Expert-ranked rider. Keep an eye peeled for what this now-even younger team will and should do come March in Daytona, as this Burnett has a great eye for talent and could be ushering in the likes of a new Brad Baker, Ryan Wells or Jeffrey Carver, Jr. in terms of potential greatness.

You can check out the full press release below from Brandon Robinson, which actually came out early this last week announcing his teaming up with James Hart and USC as they go it alone for the 2014 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season. And we here at Stu's Shots wish all members of both entourages the very best of luck in the coming season and in the future, and we'll be there to root them all on and shoot the stuff that we, and you, want to see from them all. Go get 'em guys!

Press release courtesy of: Promos By CTex || DAOapparel.com

Brandon Robinson Gears Up for Promising 2014 Season with USC Racing and James Hart Racing

 

Oxford, PA (01/07/2014) – Coming off a career best season in 2013, Brandon Robinson returns to the AMA Pro Flat Track series with a similar but slightly different program for 2014.  Robinson will be on Kawasaki 650’s and Kawasaki 450’s again next season tuned by James Hart with support from USC Racing, Hot-Shot Motorworks and James Stevens Racing.

 

Last season Robinson turned many heads as he finished 3^rd in series points and claimed three victories during the season.  His wins came at the prestigious events Daytona Short Track and back-to-back Springfield Miles in the fall.  He scored additional podiums at the Sacramento Mile, Colonial Downs Mile, and the Indy Mile.  Robinson looks to improve on his success from 2013 and keep the momentum going into 2014 will a solid team built around him this off-season.

 

 

 

Brandon Robinson on the #44 TJ Burnett Farms Kawasaki is shown at speed at the Springfield Mile over the Labor Day weekend during rounds 10 & 11 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season, where BRob44 completed the double over the epic weekend to add his name to a very short list of riders to have completed the double win at the historic venue located on the grounds of the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Photo courtesy of Brandon Robinson and James Hart/USC Racing.

 

 

 

 

 

“Excited would be an understatement. The 2013 season was amazing and I can’t thank my sponsors and team enough for helping me accomplish so much and getting one step closer to my dream of being Grand National Champion, “ said Robinson. “We have been really busy during the off-season getting the bikes ready for 2014. I didn’t think we could improve on what we learned last year, but I was wrong and I can’t wait to get these USC Kawasaki’s on the race track and compete again.”

 

The efforts will be strongly backed by USC Racing. USC Racing is owned and operated by Gerry Booher, a former Grand National racer. USC Racing has been a fixture on the Grand National Flat Track scene since 1969. USC has sponsored legends such as Ricky Graham, Terry Poovey, Bryan Bigelow and Kevin Varnes in past seasons.

 

James Hart Racing will return as Brandon’s mechanic for the 2014 season. James Hart Racing is owned by James Hart who has been involved in GNC Racing since 1988.  Hart is a former GNC racer who carried National #81 and was very successful throughout his career.  James will also assisted by his father Roy Hart who was a very competitive racer in his own right.  With James and Roy combined together they are very knowledgeable in race bike setup and reading the racetrack conditions to make necessary changes for a winning performance.  Notable riders James has wrenched for in the past include Johnny Murphree, A.J. Eslick, Robbie Pearson, J.D. Beach, and Brandon Robinson.

 

Hot-Shot Motorworks is a key component to the a promising 2014 season. The company is owned by Dan Thompson and is an engine design and development company that has designed many products for Hi-Performance Street and Racing motorcycle engines throughout their 40 years of existence. Dan Thompson has built and tuned for many notable racers throughout the AMA GNC Series since 1977.  After leaving the GNC Series in 1996 to concentrate on other engine development programs, Dan has decided to return to the GNC scene for the 2014 season to build a Kawasaki engine program for USC Racing, James Hart Racing and James Stevens Racing. Hot-Shot Motorworks has already designed many performance products for the Kawasaki engine that has allowed significant gains in engine performance from the team’s successful 2013 season.

 

James Stevens Racing has been a strong supporter and sponsor of USC Racing, James Hart Racing and Hot-Shot Motorworks for many years and will again be involved with support for the 2014 GNC Series. James has had helped many notable riders over the years including Jeffrey Carver, Kevin Atherton, Tripp Nobles, David Estok, Michael Barnes and Robbie Pearson to name a few.

 

The AMA Pro Flat Track season kicks off March 13^th and March 14^th in Daytona Beach, FL. Robinson and his team will also compete in the AMA All-Star Series during bike week at Ogelthorpe Speedway in Savannah, GA on March 7^th and Volusia Speedway in Barberville, FL on March 9^th.

 

For more information on Brandon Robinson, follow him on social media. @BRob44 on Twitter and Instagram ||Facebook.com/BrandonRobinsonRacing

 

Brandon Robinson 2014 Sponsors:

 

USC Kawasaki, James Hart Racing, Hot-Shot Motorworks, James Stevens Racing, R&D Machine, Arai, ATI Physical Therapy, Penske Racing Shocks, AXO, Go Pro,  Saddlemen, Pro Plates, Motion Pro, Royal Publishing, VC Graphix, DAO, PMP Sprockets, Spectro Oils, Wiseco Pistons, Cometic Gaskets, Lectron Carburetors, Evans Coolant, G2 Ergonomics, Works Connection, K&N, Impact Armor, Hartman Photography, Jim Chapman, Tom Scibek, Joe Reynolds, John Y, TJB, Mom & Dad

 

Brandon Robinson - GNC 44
15 Wood Valley Lane
Oxford, PA 19363
484-888-9485

Website:  BrandonRobinson44.com
Twitter:  @BRob44
Instagram: @BRob44
Facebook:  Brandon Robinson

Sponsors:

 

USC Kawasaki, James Hart, Hot Shot Motorworks, James Stevens Racing, R&D Machine, Arai, ATI Physical Therapy, Penske Shocks, AXO, Go Pro, Saddlemen, Pro Plates, Motion Pro, Royal Publishing, VC Graphix, DAO, PMP Sprockets, Spectro Oils, Wiseco Pistons, Cometic Gaskets, Lectron Carburetors, Evans Coolant, G2 Ergonomics, Works Connection, K&N, Impact Armor, Hartman Photography, Jim Chapman, Tom Scibek, John Y, TJB 

Brandon Robinson Takes 3rd-Place in the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship, TJ Burnett Farms Kawasaki Team Earns AMA Pro Flat Track Team Excellence Award

For a guy that just over four years ago bounced out of the park at the Indiana State Fairgrounds and was staring early retirement in the face from the great sport of AMA Pro Flat Track racing that he had loved so and worked incredibly hard to compete in at the top level, Brandon Robinson sure didn't show any lingering effects this season from that near-career ending multitude of injuries.

After starting off the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season with a 5th-place finish at the Daytona Short Track I round, and then grabbing his first Grand National win the next night in round 2, Robinson had a career year this season that was highlighted not only with that first win back in March, but with his double win at the Labor Day weekend running of the Springfield Mile I & II at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Although the middle part of the season proved to be somewhat of a struggle and a big and bold learning experience, thanks to several crashes, one DNF and a handful of blown motors, Robinson and the TJ Burnett Farms Kawasaki teamed toughed it out, held their heads high and when the final checkered flag had flown and the dust had settled last Saturday in Pomona, were the 3rd-place ranked team in The Rolling Thunder Show.

Team owner Burnett told us back in August at Indy a day after going through kidney stone surgery that it wasn't the pain from his surgery that was hurting him, but the money he dug deep into his pockets for in order to keep the team going in the tough times, like when they lost one of their motors earlier in the day at the Indy Mile round held under the bright lights of the Indiana State Fair. And it must have been paying off pretty good and someone, somewhere was looking over their shoulder as Robinson put it on the box later that evening for a 2nd-place finish, just one of his six top-3, eight top-5 and ten top-10 finishes on the season.

And in the end, with another tough performance at the season-finale at Pomona, BRob44 and the team hung on for a 9th-place finish at the LA Fairplex, and as a result of their great season overall (team mate JD Beach in his part-time job for the team ended the season ranked as the 8th-place rider in the championship) and their highly professional look at the track, the team was also awarded the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track Team Excellence Award.

Not too bad a year for a team that nearly didn't make it through the 2012 season, with a turn style mix of riders and quickly disappearing monetary backing, until Burnett came along to help out long time friend and chief wrench spinner for the team, James Hart, and salvaged and built what in 2013 was a team to be reckoned with in the greatest racing series on two wheels in the world.

So we take this time to give a standing ovation to a great group of guys who toughed it out and made it happen, and in the process excited the heck out of us, as well as most of the fans that had the pleasure this season of seeing them in action in the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship. Great job for all of your efforts, you truly deserve the great finish you came up with through it all.

In the shot above, Brandon tells the crowd on hand what it's like to have had a career day at the Springfield Mile I, round 10 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship on August 31 while AMA Pro Flat Track announcer Barry Boone mans the mic.  Robinson had a Groundhog Day at Springfield at both races, leading the field both days in qualifying fastest, taking the pole with the fastest heat race, winning the Dash for Cash and then grabbing the big pot 'o gold at the mecca of flat track racing by winning both of the 25-lap National mains, and leading for the first-time ever in an AMA Pro Flat Track Twins Series race a complete sweep of the podium, on both days mind you, of Kawasaki dominance.

A big tip of the helmet to Brandon and the TJ Burnett Farms Kawasaki team on their great year, and you can read more about it in the season wrap-up press release just out this evening.  Bravo guys!


Press release courtesy of Brandon Robinson and the #44 TJ Burnett Farms Kawasaki AMA Pro Flat Track team, winners of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track Team Excellence Award and 3rd-place finishers in the overall standings of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season.

Brandon Robinson Gets 9th-place Finish at Pomona Half-Mile Season Finale to Earn 3rd-place in the Final Championship Standings

Press release – For Immediate Release

Oxford, PA. – October 18, 2013 - Brandon Robinson closed out the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship season with a tough 9th-place finish at the Pomona Half-Mile season finale, to cap off his excellent first season with the TJ Burnett Farms Kawasaki team. “We struggled with set-up at Pomona and fought the track but just couldn't get it any better for the season finale,” stated Brandon after the rough weekend, “but to end up in the 3rd-place spot in the overall championship standings was great for our first year together. We're also looking forward to the 2014 season as we have things already set in stone to all stay together, so hopefully we can improve on that, and we're real proud of our three wins and six top-3s for the year.”

 

 

Brandon poses with his #44 TJ Burnett Farms/USC/James Hart Racing Kawasaki EX650-based Twins Series mount at the season-finale at the Pomona Half-Mile on October 12. Photo by Tom Stein/Northwest Track Shots.





The TJ Burnett Farms team and Brandon were as disappointed as the fans were about the cancellation of the main events at the Santa Rosa Mile on September 29. “We were solid at Santa Rosa, but Mother Nature wasn't working with us that afternoon, and it was a shame for the fans as well as for us racers. But the Circle Bell Motorsports promoters and the officials with AMA Pro Flat Track made the right call in lieu of the safety factor involved with the heavy mist that had rolled in,” commented Robinson, “there was just no way to continue safely.”

The team did end the season on several big and bold notes. AMA Pro Flat Track awarded the 2013 Team Excellence Award to the TJ Burnett Farms team after the Pomona finale for their professional representation of the sport in the paddock and their great results on the track in just their first full season together, and Brandon also captured the championships (by a landslide) in both the Expert Twins and Expert Singles classes in the Steve Nace Racing All-Star AMA National Flat Track Series presented by GoldenTyre. “It was an honor to get the Team Excellence Award for TJ and the team, and winning the #1 plates in the Steve Nace All-Star Series was huge, as Jared Mees has pretty much had those covered for the last couple of seasons,” Robinson noted.

 

 

 

 

 

Brandon Robinson on the #44 TJ Burnett Farms Kawasaki is shown in action during one of the qualifying sessions at round 13 of the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Championship at the Pomona Flat Track Finals on October 12.  BRob44 toughed it out at the season-finale for a 9th-place finish in the National main at the LA Fairplex in Pomona to end the season ranked as the 3rd-place rider in the final championship standings. Photo by Tom Stein/Northwest Track Shots.

 

 

 

 

 

The team will be working hard during the off-season to come back and improve on their standings for the 2014 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season. “We're headed to Oglethorpe Speedway outside of Savannah, GA. on November 9 for an outlaw race,” commented the double All-Star Champion. “We're going down to have some fun and do some testing since that is my favorite track.”

The team would again like to thank all of it's fans for taking the time to visit with us this season during the fan walks and after each of the races, and hope you are all as ready as we are for the new season to begin in several months at Daytona in mid-March, and are looking forward to another year together to show all of you fans what we can do again and in stepping it up for the new year ahead.

Brandon Robinson #44 & the TJ Burnett Farms Kawasaki AMA Grand National Championship team would again like to thank all of our sponsors for the 2013 season:

TJ Burnett Farms, USC Racing Kawasaki, James Hart Racing, Arai, Next Moto Champion, ATI Physical Therapy, Penske Racing Shocks, AXO, Saddlemen, Protect All, Pro Plates, ISC Racers Tape, Motion Pro, Southland, Matrix Race Products, Race Tech, Lemonds Kawasaki, WKR, Mr. Sign, Bill Built, Royal Publishing, VC Graphix, DAOapparel.com, PMP Sprockets, Spectro Oils, CP Pistons, G2 Ergonomics, Works Connection, K&N, Hartman Photography, Mitchell Mechanical, J&H Repair, Big Dawg Racing, Ricko, Jim Chapman, Tom Scibek, Joe Reynolds, Stu's Shots, John Y, Mom & Dad

 

 

Press release prepared by:

 

Mike Stuhler

Stu's Shots

Indianapolis, IN 46234

(317) 373-0522

stuman714@yahoo.com

http://stusshots.blogspot.com