AMA Pro Road Racing to Release New Online Video Service June 26-27 at NOLA Motorsports Park Test

AMA Pro Racing to Unveil AMA Pro Live Streaming Experience during AMA Pro Road Racing Test at NOLA Motorsports Park

 

Streaming Multimedia System Developed with Support from M1 PowerSports and RoadRace Factory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 6, 2012) - Working in conjunction with event promoter M1 PowerSports and race team RoadRace Factory/Red Bull, AMA Pro Racing's in-house programming team has developed AMA Pro Live, a multi-channel multimedia streaming system which will give fans an immersive and diverse online experience during select AMA Pro Road Racing event weekends. Following extensive beta testing during the opening rounds of the 2012 AMA Pro Road Racing Championship, AMA Pro Racing will unveil the AMA Pro Live online experience during the official series test at NOLA Motorsports Park, scheduled for June 26-27, 2012. "AMA Pro Racing is focused on creating new and innovative ways for fans to enjoy our racing," said David Atlas, Chief Business Development Officer of AMA Pro Racing. "Building AMA Pro Racing's online presence and expanding our social media and video offerings are vital components of our ongoing strategy to reach the youthful, tech-savvy demographic, and this is another big step forward as we deliver on our new goals." Located at http://www.amaprolive.com and intended to complement AMA Pro's Live Timing & Scoring system, AMA Pro Live will put the online consumer in the director's chair, giving them the ability to control the show and choose from a variety of programming options. For the initial launch, five cameras will be located throughout NOLA Motorsports Park's sprawling facility. On-track action will be captured from a variety of viewpoints around the 2.75-mile road course, there will be a pit camera showing the RoadRace Factory team hard at work under the tent and a roving POV/interview camera hosted by Danielle Teal. JD Beach talks with one of his team members of the #95 Red Bull/RoadRace Factory Yamaha during the AMA Daytona SportBike Series events at Road America last weekend.  AMA Pro Road Racing photo by Brian J. Nelson. This all-new functionality isn't AMA Pro Racing's first foray into non-linear programming (SPEED2 streams every AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com SuperSport and AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 Series race at http://www.speed2.com), but it will be the first time that fans will get a live, behind-the-scenes glimpse at how the stars of AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike, AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike, Motorcycle-Superstore.com SuperSport and the Vance & Hines XR1200 Series get up to speed on an all-new circuit. "This is a concept that RoadRace Factory's Danny Walker, AMA Pro Racing's Gene Crouch and I came up with, with the goal of adding more content and providing fans with access they've never had before," said Cameron Gray, CEO of M1 PowerSports. "We're always thinking outside the box and we're very excited about offering a new way for people to keep in touch with racers, watch their laptimes and be able to visualize what's going on at the test." As a show of appreciation for loyal fans, M1 PowerSports and AMA Pro Racing will be offering exclusive incentives throughout the two-day test on AMA Pro Live. During the live broadcasts, discount codes for 2-for-1 event tickets to the Triumph Big Kahuna New Orleans presented by Dunlop Tire and LeoVince will be posted on the screen, and fans will be able to participated in social media contests to win vouchers for VIP parking and product giveaways from the great partners that support AMA Pro Racing and M1 PowerSports.  "This will not only be a great way for people to follow their favorite teams and riders," Gray continued. "This will be America's first glimpse at the great new facility that's being built in the heart of New Orleans and will prepare them for AMA Pro Road Racing's finale at NOLA Motorsports Park, the Triumph Big Kahuna National on October 5-7." The first AMA Pro Live channel will be available at http://www.amaprolive.com beginning on Monday morning, June 25, 2012 as teams begin to roll into New Orleans and set up at NOLA Motorsports Park. To get a glimpse of what fans can expect, RoadRace Factory/Red Bull and Dion Device Brake Lever Guard's Chris Killen have created a teaser video from last weekend's AMA Pro Road Racing round at Road America. The video is available on RoadRace Factory's YouTube page at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQu4fBxrjfM . AMA Pro Live - An All-New Streaming Experience

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com. For additional information contact:   AMA Pro Racing Communications, (386) 492-1014, communications@amaproracing.com

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days at Mid-Ohio on July 20-22 to Feature Broad Lineup of Classics, Makes & Models

Bike shows at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days feature classics of all makes, models

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- June 6, 2012 -- On July 20-22, the American Motorcyclist Association and the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame will welcome a wonderful assortment of expertly restored and original condition motorcycles from numerous eras, styles and countries of origin at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

"The fundamental elements of a motorcycle are simple -- two wheels and an engine to move them -- however, since the invention of the motorcycle, we have seen countless renditions of this basic form," said AMA Director of Operations Jack Penton. "AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days offers the country's most distinctive display of these machines, on the track, on the road and as part of the bike shows that anchor our appreciation of two-wheeled art."

While the grounds of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course will boast vintage motorcycles at every turn, four bike shows will highlight the best and most historic machines: the Hall of Fame Ride 'Em, Don't Hide 'Em Bike Show and Scooter Bike Show on Friday, July 20, and the Hall of Fame Static Bike Show and Café Racer Bike Show on Saturday, July 21.

First, owners will have the opportunity to show off their running vintage motorcycles as part of the Ride 'Em, Don't Hide 'Em Bike Show. The show begins with a lap of the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, then leaves the grounds for a 25-mile scenic ride, returning for a judged show at 2 p.m. Classes include American, British, European, Japanese and Specials/Customs, as well as special show awards. Registration will be on site at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame tent starting at 8 a.m. on Friday.

On Saturday, the Hall of Fame Static Bike Show will feature pristine restored or original-condition vintage motorcycles outside the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame tent. Registration opens at 8 a.m., with judging starting at 1 p.m. and awards at 3:30 p.m. The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Static Show features motorcycles from the early 1900s through 1989. Bikes featured will include American, British, European and Japanese models that span various decades. The machines will be set on the show grid and be on public display throughout the day.

The Kawasaki display at the 2011 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days event had what appears to be a 1982 Kawasaki ELR 1000 on-hand for viewing.  This motorcycle was the street replica that was commissioned by Kawasaki to help celebrate the AMA Superbike Championship double that eventual 4-Time World 500cc Grand Prix Champion Eddie Lawson took to the '81-'82 AMA Superbike Championship.  Photo courtesy of the American Motorcyclist Association.

In addition, two shows will celebrate "Rockers and Mods," the two-wheeled subculture that is experiencing a classic resurgence in America and is a focus of this year's AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. A Friday bike show will include the Italian metal-bodied scooters, while British café-racer motorcycles will take center stage on Saturday.

For specific bike show times and locations, see AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com > Schedule & Directions.

"AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is all things motorcycling, from the people, the motorcycles and the racing that defines our motorcycling culture," Penton said. "The bike shows are a key element of that mix, and we expect to offer some amazing examples of motorcycle technology this year."

With proceeds supporting the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is the country's premier celebration of vintage motorcycles and motorcycling heritage. In addition to demo rides of current year street and off-road motorcycles, the event includes amateur national championship roadracing, motocross, hare scrambles, trials and dirt-track in vintage classes. The weekend also features North America's largest motorcycle swap meet, bike shows, a classic field meet for motorcycles and scooters, and seminars on a number of topics by noted motorcycling experts.

Tickets to AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days can be purchased online at MidOhio.com.

About the American Motorcyclist Association

Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world's largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists' interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, the AMA honors the heroes and the heritage of motorcycling for future generations.

For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

Media contact: James Holter
Phone: (614) 856-1900, ext. 1280
E-mail: jholter@ama-cycle.org

AMA Racing 2012 Horizon Award Winner JR Addison at AMA Grands

JR Addison wins 2012 AMA Dirt Track Horizon Award

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- June 5, 2012 -- To excel in the highest levels of motorsports competition, it requires both speed and consistency on the track, as well as maturity and respect off it. At the 2012 American Motorcyclist Association Dirt Track Grand Championships, which took place May 29-June 1 in Springfield, Ill., JR Addison from Bucyrus, Ohio, demonstrated all those qualities to earn the 2012 AMA Dirt Track Horizon Award.

AMA Horizon Awards are presented annually in dirt track, motocross and roadracing to the rider showing the most promise for success in the pro ranks. The dirt-track award recipient is selected based on performance at the AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships, promoted this year by Steve Nace Racing.

"The history of professional dirt-track racing in America includes some of the greatest names to compete on two wheels," said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. "For most of those racers, their path to the pro ranks was blazed through the demanding AMA amateur program. Each year, one of these young riders shows that he is exceptionally prepared to advance to that next level. For 2012, that rider is JR Addison."

Addison finished the event with four discipline championships and two overall AMA Grand Championships. AMA Grand Championships reflect performance across all four types of dirt-track competition in a specific class.

The 16-year-old Addison won AMA Grand Championships in the 450 Modified class and in the 251cc-Open Singles class. His individual discipline titles were in the two 450 Modified half-mile rounds, and on the mile and half mile in the 251-Open Singles class.

"I'm speechless really," Addison said. "I don't know what to say. The mile was a good race, and the TT was good -- I got a second and third. I was disappointed about the rain. I wanted to run the short track, but I was excited, too, because I like half miles, and it all worked out. I plan for my first pro race to be in Daytona (in 2013)."

Addison is the first AMA Dirt Track Horizon Award winner to have also won the AMA Youth Dirt Tracker of the Year Award, which he took home in 2008.

 

JR Addison from Bucyrus, OH. was awarded the 2012 AMA Dirt Track Horizon Award at the AMA Amateur Grand Nationals at Springfield, IL.  Photo courtesy of the American Motorcyclist Association.

Although the AMA Dirt Track Horizon Award is the highest-profile special award at the AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships, additional honors recognize other competitors for standout performances.

The AMA Racing Fast Brain Award, sponsored for the third consecutive year by dirt-track tuning legend and Motorcycle Hall of Famer Bill Werner and AMA Board of Directors Chairman Stan Simpson, recognizes a rider whose speed on the track is matched by stellar grades in the classroom. The 2012 Fast Brain award was presented to Cody Chisham. Not only does Chisham have a straight-A report card, but the Indianapolis, Ind., rider won a Grand Championship in the 85cc Modified (7-11) class.

The 2012 AMA Youth Dirt Track Rider of the Year award was Tyler Scott from Emmaus, Pa. The 6-year old Scott won Grand Championships in the 50cc DTX PW Shaft-drive class and the 50cc DTX PW (4-8) class.

Thomas Englehart won the 2012 AMA Vet Dirt Track Rider of the Year award. Englehart, from Zanesville, Ohio, won the Vet 30+ Grand Championship.

The AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships crown amateur and youth champions in individual dirt-track disciplines, including half-mile, TT and short-track events. Amateur racers also compete in mile events. In addition, AMA Grand Championships are awarded to the riders in each class who have the highest point totals across all disciplines.

Dirt-track racing features a wide range of competitive equipment. Racers field both traditional dirt-trackers and the latest DTX motorcycles, which begin as stock motocross bikes that are then fitted with dirt-track tires, suspension and other modifications.

For more information on all the disciplines sanctioned by the AMA, see

AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Racing.

About the American Motorcyclist Association

Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world's largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists' interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, the AMA honors the heroes and the heritage of motorcycling for future generations.

For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

Media contact: James Holter
Phone: (614) 856-1900, ext. 1280
E-mail: jholter@ama-cycle.org

SBK World Championship Previews Round 7 at Misano

Biaggi and Melandri head the field at Misano

Misano Adriatico (Italy), 5 June 2012 – The eni FIM Superbike World Championship comes to Italy for the third time this year at a crucial point in the season, with the San Marino Round at the Misano World Circuit the venue for what promises to be one of the hottest rounds of the year, and not just because of the encroaching summer weather. After six of 14 rounds the top of the table is an extremely hard-fought affair, with Max Biaggi (Aprilia Racing Team) in the lead since the opening round of the season, followed by Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) in second, equal on points with Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team). The top 5 (Biaggi, Melandri, Sykes, Rea and reigning champion Checa), on five different manufacturer machines (respectively Aprilia, BMW, Kawasaki, Honda and Ducati), are all within 30 points of each other, and with eight rounds and 16 races left, there are plenty of points on the board for the current situation to change dramatically every weekend.

Misano hosts World Superbike for the 21st time. The first edition dates back to 1991 when the wins went to Texan Doug Polen on a Ducati, the Italo-American pairing the combination to beat at the time. This year’s edition will be the 304th round in 25 years of World Superbike, the 602nd and 603rd races in the history of the production-based racing series.

Points leader Biaggi’s win in Australia has so far been his only victory, but the Italian has defended his lead with a sequence of solid results on his Aprilia RSV4; two years ago Biaggi’s double win launched him on the path to his world title. With two wins at the last two circuits (Donington Park and Miller Motorsports Park) Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad) has rapidly caught up with his compatriot, and is now just 18 points behind. After giving BMW its first historic win, the man from Ravenna is now giving a couple of thoughts to the title, a target that just a short while ago appeared to be off-limits. BMW has a good record at Misano, where Troy Corser scored the German manufacturer’s first pole position in 2010 and then finished third. In Superbike Melandri’s experience is limited to last year’s edition on a Yamaha, the Italian finishing second in race 1 and crashing out in race 2.

Equal on points with Melandri is British rider Sykes who came close to a podium here last year. The Japanese manufacturer had its last win at Misano way back in 1994 with American Scott Russell. The team’s second rider continues to be the 19-year-old from France Loris Baz who has replaced the unfortunate Joan Lascorz, scoring encouraging results in the last two rounds.

The two previous rounds have also re-launched the title hopes of Jonathan Rea (Honda World Superbike Team), who is now just 19.5 points behind Biaggi. At Misano in 2009 Rea was virtually unbeatable but after this showing the young northern Irishman has not had much luck, missing the 2011 races due to an injury from a crash in the warm-up. The 2012-spec CBR1000RR has taken on a new lease of life and Rea has become one of the challengers for the title.

The top 5 is completed by 2011 champion Carlos Checa (Althea Racing), 30 points behind Biaggi following two untimely crashes at Donington Park and Miller Motorsports Park. Misano will offer the Spaniard the chance to get back into contention, because Ducati has always gone well here, with 28 wins and 71 podiums in 40 races. Checa was untouchable last season, and he began his run-in to the title at the Adriatic Riviera circuit.

The FIXI Crescent Suzuki team is the only one unable to score the big win so far despite the team’s big commitment and the talents of Leon Camier and John Hopkins. Misano is a special place for Hopkins who finished third behind Casey Stoner and Chris Vermeulen in the 2007 MotoGP race, again on a Suzuki.

Misano is an abrasive track on tyres and Pirelli, sole Superbike tyre supplier since 2004, has made a big effort by bringing a total of 12 solutions for teams, including three for the front and five for the rear slicks, in addition to the usual intermediate and rain solutions and the Superpole qualifying tyre.

At their home round, all eyes will also be on the Italians, in particular top rookie Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing), the 22-year-old from Rome and 2011 Superstock 1000 champion who has already stepped onto the podium with a second place in the Netherlands and who started from the front row in the previous Utah US Round. Misano could also prove to be positive for the BMW Italia pairing of Michel Fabrizio and Ayrton Badovini, while Niccolò Canepa (Red Devils Roma Ducati) and Lorenzo Zanetti (Pata Racing Aprilia) are both looking for their big breakthrough.

Points (after 6 rounds of 14): 1. Biaggi 160.5; 2. Melandri 142.5; 3. Sykes 142.5; 4. Rea 141; 5. Checa 130.5; 6. Haslam 103; 7. Guintoli 95; 8. Laverty 86; 9. Giugliano 64; 10. Smrz 61.5; etc. Manufacturers: 1. Ducati 195.5; 2. BMW 176; 3. Aprilia 171; 4. Kawasaki 148.5; 5. Honda 145; 6. Suzuki 48.5.

World Supersport

The World Supersport ‘wild bunch’ are back in action again with another chapter in the battle between Kawasaki and Honda; Turkey’s Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki DeltaFin Lorenzini) is on top with 81 points, and the Honda men, Sam Lowes (Bogdanka PTR) and Jules Cluzel (PTR) are right behind. Thirty-nine year-old Fabien Foret (Kawasaki Intermoto Step) is not far off the top either, just 26 points behind his fellow Kawasaki runner.

Experience tends to favour Sofuoglu who in Supersport has already conquered two world titles and 18 race wins, but 22-year-old Lowes and 24-year-old Cluzel have both broken the victory ice this season and after a good start for the Turk they have now caught him up. Kenan is back to full form since his nasty early season crash during Imola testing, and can count on the Kawasaki DeltaFin Lorenzini’s specific experience at the track, which is close to its Mantova base.

Broc Parkes (Ten Kate Racing Products Honda) hopes finally to be in a position to kick-start his season, while Alex Baldolini (Power Team Team by Suriano Triumph) is sixth on 38 points. Massimo Roccoli, who scored his only World Supersport win here in 2006, will be one man to watch as he steps in for the injured Vladimir Leonov on the Yakhnich Yamaha.

Points (after 5 rounds of 13): 1. Sofuoglu 81; 2. Lowes 76; 3. Cluzel 64; 4. Foret 55; 5. Parkes 42; 6. Baldolini 38; 7. Quarmby 34; 8. Morais 27; etc. Manufacturers: 1. Honda 111; 2. Kawasaki 106; 3. Triumph 51; 4. Yamaha 43; 5. Suzuki 6.

Superstock 1000

After a two-round break the Superstock 1000 category is back on the scene at Misano, with Romagna rider Lorenzo Savadori (Barni Racing Team Italia Ducati) leading the way; on his home track therefore Savadori will have a chance to increase his lead over Frenchman Sylvain Barrier (BMW Motorrad Italia GoldBet), who has slid down to second place, three points from the top, following his crash at Monza. The new Ducati Panigale machine is also going well in the hands of Eddi La Marra, third overall just five points behind his team-mate. Meanwhile the Kawasaki MRS team has replaced Loris Baz, who has been promoted to the official Superbike team, with his compatriot Jeremy Guarnoni.

Points (after 3 rounds of 10): 1. Savadori 53; 2. Barrier 50; 3. La Marra 48; 4. Reiterberger 35; 5. Baz 30; 6. Bergman 28; 7. Massei 23; 8. Baroni 20; etc. Manufacturers: 1. Ducati 61; 2. BMW 59; 3. Kawasaki 50; 4. Honda 23; 5 Aprilia 11.

Superstock 600

Riccardo Russo (Team Italia FMI Yamaha) has ruled the European Superstock 600 roost so far this season in the championship reserved for the under-22s. The 19 year-old Italian has won two out of three rounds, but has been unable to outpace Dutchman Michael van der Mark (EAB Ten Kate Junior Team Honda), who is just seven points behind. Russo also leads the Italian championship and as a result is being watched closely by paddock insiders, as this entry-level category continues to produce interesting young talent.

Points (after 3 rounds of 10): 1. Russo 61; 2. Vd Mark 54; 3. Calero Perez 50; 4. Duwelz 42; 5. Chesaux 26; 6. Egea 24; 7. Vitali 20; 8. Schacht 18; etc.

KTM European Junior Cup

Talented youngsters get another bite of the cherry this year as the European Junior Cup comes into its own, this time on KTM machinery. The 14 to 19 year-olds are racing on identical 690 Duke bikes, with the overall winner getting a chance to move into Superstock at the end of the year and continue his or her career. The previous round at Monza was cancelled because of bad weather so the third round sees the youngsters virtually start from scratch, with Poland’s Adrian Pasek leading the points thanks to his win at Assen.

 Points (after 2 rounds of 8): 1. Pasek 25; 2. Hartog 20; 3. Wielebski 16; 4. Demoulin 13; 5. Patterson 11; 6. Lewis 10; etc.

Coppa dei due Paesi (Two-Nations Cup)

Misano will also be the venue for the first of three rounds of the Coppa dei due Paesi, the trophy reserved for Italian and Russian riders. Afterwards the Trophy will head to Brno (July 22) and Moscow (August 26). The 31 riders entered (with several wild-cards from different countries) will race on Superstock 600 machines. In 2011 the first edition of the Coppa dei Due Paesi was won by Russia’s Vladimir Leonov who is now one of the protagonists of this year’s Supersport World Championship.

For further information:

Julian Thomas
Press Office Associate Manager
Cell. +39 340 0993623
Email: julian.thomas@infrontsports.com

Nino Barra
Press Office & PR ItaliaCell. +39 339 4688138
Email: nino.barra@infrontsports.com

Valentina Conti
Sponsorship & Int’l PR Associate Manager
Cell. +39 388 3032059
Email: valentina.conti@infrontsports.com

In 2011 the FIM Superbike World Championship achieved the following:

- A worldwide TV audience of 462 million
- Live broadcasts on 95 television networks covering 173 countries
- 3,106 broadcast hours
- Approximately 1,000,000 race spectators
- 3,779,237 contacts on the official website www.worldsbk.com

AMA Flat Track: Kenny Coolbeth Springfield Mile I Report

Round 4 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season is about to get underway as rider intros begin at the Springfield Mile I on May 27.  3-Time AMA Grand National Twins Champion Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. and the #2 Screamin' Eagle/Harley-Davidson Motor Co/Fox/Arai Helmets-sponsored factory team work their way out to the starting grid in preparation for the 25-lap National main event to kick off the Twins Series portion of the schedule for the year.

After qualifying 3rd on the day, The King of Cool went on to record the fastest heat race win in heat 3 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds mile oval by over 5.5 seconds (heat 2 and eventual main event winner Willie McCoy) and 6.5 seconds (heat 1 winner and eventual 3rd-place in the main event, Bryan Smith) with a new rocketship under him in his factory H-D XR750 to take the pole for the final.

With former AMA Grand National competitor and winner Mike Hacker (with the #2 machine) in his corner for the 2012 season, the bike appeared to be on rails and handling well after Hacker had spent the last couple of seasons working with the Zanotti Racing squad with 2-Time defending AMA Grand National Champion Jake Johnson.

With a new-and-improved set-up and race face, Coolbeth ran with the lead pack for the better part of the National before almost crashing out after coming together with Johnny Lewis on the #10 Scott Powersports Kawasaki in the final run to the checkers, causing him to slip back into a 6th-place finishing spot, just 1.762 seconds behind winner McCoy.  Coolbeth was forced to take a provisional start the night prior, and charged to a hard-earned 11th-place spot in the Springfield TT.

Keep an eye on this seasoned veteran this year, with a fresh look and a new outlook on racing with RIDE Academy's Hacker on board to help out with suspension set-up this could help to take Coolbeth to a better finish on the season then the 4th-place he fought hard for in the 2011 season.

You can read Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. and the Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson Motor Company's press release here on the 3-Time AMA Grand National Twins Champion's day at the Springfield Mile I event on May 27:

http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/Racing/flat_track_newsarticle.jsp?locale=en_US&articleLink=News%2F1414_press_release.hdnews&newsYear=2012&history=news

AMA Flat Track: Memorial Day Weekend Springfield TT Review

Round 3 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davisdson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season is about to get ready to roll as the 19-rider main event lines up to do battle in what could be the last of the TT events held at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Multipurpose Arena.  With Kenny Sargent and the MavTV cameras talking to 2-Time defending AMA Grand National Champion Jake Johnson (and defending Springfield TT winner), the rest of the front row makes their final adjustments before the drop of the green flag.

In what was his best start of his young career, Jake Mataya lines up on the outside pole on the #29 Donahue Sports Center/Highpoint Sales/Go Moto/Mid-America Auctions-sponsored Kawasaki KX450F.  Mataya also qualified for the Dash event for the first time in his career, finishing in the 6th spot.  He would end the evening in 12th-place after the 25-lap National main.

Brad Baker on the #12 Big Ed Beckley/Kenny Tolbert Racing-sponsored Kawasaki KX450F gets ready to go (with tuner and team owner Tolbert walking off the line just behind The Bullet) before taking the #12 machine to a solid 6th-place finish in the main.

Eventual 8th-place finisher Steve Bonsey appears to be mulling the moment before taking sail on the #80 Alpinestars/MDR/Pacific Tub & Tile/Confused Clothing-backed Honda.  Bonsey also finished 2nd in his heat behind winner Johnson to qualify for the Dash where he would come home in the 5th spot.

Jammin' Jared Mees gets the #9 Montgomeryville Cycle/National Cycle-sponsored Honda ready for the launch after winning heat 2 on the evening.  His battle for the 2nd and 3rd place in the National with Johnson was one of the hottest contests over the course of the just-over 10 minute final event, with Johnson getting the nod.

In what would be another record-setting evening for the 2-Time AMA Grand National Singles Series Champion, Henry Wiles makes his own final adjustments before running away from the field on the #17 Don's Kawasaki/DPC Racing/Nick Nazzisi/Schiller's Tree Service-sponsored Kawasaki KX450F.  Wiles would take the win by 3.693 seconds over runner-up Johnson, although at times it actually seemed like he had established even more of a gap on the rest of the field's battle.  Hammerin' Hank's night was all but perfect in winning his heat and the Dash for Cash event, and would mark the fourth win in five events for Wiles at the Springfield TT after missing last year's event due to recovering from knee injuries and surgery.  Between the two events at Springfield and the Peoria TT, he has now won 16 of his 21 National main event wins in the State of Illinois.

And finally, Jersey Jake talks with Kenny Sargent as the MavTV cameras film the evening's events just prior to showing everyone on-hand that he hasn't forgotten to ride a motorcycle.  After a slow start to the season at Daytona, Johnson came back in full-attack mode at Springfield and showed everyone in the house you never count out the guy with the #1 plate on the front of their motorcycle and on the back of their jerseys or leathers. 

Johnson was the next-best on the night behind winner Wiles, taking the #1 Zanotti Racing/Schaeffer's H-D-backed Honda CRF450R to the runner-up spot after what was probably the best battle of the evening with Mees in the 25-lap National main.  Remember this man in another 10 races towards the end of the season as he will undoubtedly be looking to add to his '10-'11 AMA Grand National Championships and will most assuredly be right in the thick of things, and just as cool and calm as ever.

Daytona round 2 first-time winner Matt Weidman straps up just prior to the first practice session in the Expert Singles Series class at the Springfield TT on Saturday, May 26.  Weidman would take the #20 DFW Honda/SNIP/Fiorio Investments/Shoei-sponsored Honda CRF450R home to a strong 7th-place finish in the National main at Springfield after getting a spot in the 25-lap final via a 4th-place finish in his heat behind Wiles, Johnson and Mees.  By the end of the evening, he was still clinging to his overall point standings lead, tied with Mees at 60 points apiece.

The battle for the place and show spots in the 25-lap National main at the Springfield TT was a hotly contested battle between last season's title rivals Jake Johnson and Jared Mees.  Johnson would come out on top in the race-long duel on the #1 Zanotti Racing/Schaeffer's H-D/Boughner Racing/Arai-sponsored Honda CRF450R by just .625 seconds over Mees on the #9 Montgomeryville Cycle/National Cycle/Lucas Oil/Rogers Racing-backed Honda.  Both won their respective heats to qualify for the Dash event, finishing in the same 2-3 spots behind Wiles, just as they did in the final.

Tuner to the stars Kenny Tolbert works on getting the #12 Big Ed Beckley/Kenny Tolbert Racing/Wiseco/Kawasaki-sponsored KX450F ready for '11 AMA Flat Track Rookie of the Year Brad Baker just prior to the start of the National main at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.  Baker took the #12 machine home to a solid 6th-place finish in the main after finishing 4th earlier in the evening in the Dash for Cash event, which he was able to qualify for after a very strong 2nd-place finish in his heat behind Henry Wiles.

Tolbert appeared to be excited with his new role of team owner, builder and tuner to one of the up-and-coming stars in rider Baker, and is thrilled to be working on the Kawasakis these days after being associated with the Harley-Davidson XR750s for so long in the Twins Series class and the Hondas in the Singles Series class in The Rolling Thunder Show.

The battle for fourth place in the National main at the Springfield TT was a closely contested battle between the top finishing Yamahas, including eventual 4th-place finisher Sammy Halbert on his #7 The South Ass/Fredericktown Yamaha/GYTR/Van's Yamaha-sponsored YZ450F and '10 AMA Pro Singles Champ Jeffrey Carver, Jr. on the #23 Carver's BBQ/Twigg Cycles/WKR/Kiesow Racing-backed YZ450F.  Slammin' Sammy and fast-qualifier Carver were never much further apart during the 25-lap National main then this slight gap.  Halbert would best Carver by just .294 seconds .

Kawasaki takes a look at the record-breaking fourth Springfield TT win by Henry Wiles in this pictorial of round 3 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season:

http://www.kawasaki.com/Racing_News/Article.aspx?id=1847

And as always, a big thanks to my friend Larry Lawrence for his write-up on the Springfield TT in Cycle News:

http://cyclenews.coverleaf.com/cyclenews/20120529?#pg82

AMA Road Racing: Hayes & Cardenas Score the Double at Road America

 

Double Vision: Yamaha's Hayes Dominates AMA Pro Road Racing's Subway SuperBike Doubleheader at Road America Again

 

ELKHART LAKE, Wis. (June 3, 2012) - Josh Hayes proved simply unstoppable for a second straight day at the Subway SuperBike Doubleheader, powering away from the field to claim the checkered flag in what can only be viewed as demoralizing fashion by his would-be challengers.  The Monster Energy Graves Yamaha superstar simply owned Road America over the weekend, rounding off his maximum points haul weekend with a conquering 13.906-second victory on Sunday afternoon.  Hayes had nearly a second advantage after just the opening lap and then really closed out the hopes of his opponents with a string of laps in the 2:11s, including a 2:11.216, which stood more than a tenth of a second inside the lap record he established on Saturday morning. The flawless ride confirmed a turning of the season as the Mississippian has taken a big step forward in his search for a third consecutive AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike title. Hayes' Sunday win marked his sixth of the season, doubling his 2011 tally, and upping his career total to 23.  "I don't really know too much of what to say except the same things you always hear: big thank you to an amazing crew. I have an amazing crew, I have a great motorcycle, and it allows me to just come here and focus on one thing and that's riding my best.  I've had a great race weekend; I've got good starts and my bike was just great from the beginning. We haven't really changed anything chassis-wise since last weekend at Miller. Things are just clicking and rolling well." Josh Hayes #1 leads team mate Josh Herrin #2 (hidden behind Hayes), Blake Young #79 and Ben Bostrom #23 early in the AMA Superbike Championship race on Sunday at Road America, just as they top the hill and head into the turn 6 left-hander.  AMA Pro Road Racing photo by Brian J. Nelson. Meanwhile, Blake Young once again found himself dicing with Hayes' rookie teammate, Josh Herrin, rather than his title rival. The #79 Yoshimura Suzuki hero and the up-and-coming Yamaha pilot engaged in a thrilling duel for the runner-up position, regularly trading positions and glances as they jockeyed for the spot late in the race.  Young ultimately won the last-lap battle, avenging his defeat for second at Herrin's hands less than a week ago at Miller Motorsports Park.  Young blasted across the stripe ahead of Herrin by a meager 0.039 seconds. "It was pretty much the same as yesterday," Young said of another second-place result. "Riding with Josh Herrin was good. It's good to see him get up there and dice it out with me. He's coming around and riding fairly well. Obviously, I mentioned yesterday that we need to make some improvements, but they're not the type of improvements we're going to make overnight. Realistically, I was hoping for a better race today, but am I surprised? Not really."  Herrin said, "I thought it went great. It was definitely more exciting than yesterday. Blake and I had a pretty good battle; we passed each other back and forth. I tried to get him but I didn't have any real reason to try to stuff it in there in the last corner on the last lap and risk losing the front or something. It was a really good race -- the R1 was going really good today. I don't know how I didn't get the drive on him to start/finish." Jordan Suzuki's Ben Bostrom continued his recent rise in form with another strong ride. The former World Superbike hero tagged along to Young and Herrin in the race's early stages before fading to a lonely fourth.  Team Hero's Danny Eslick narrowly beat his Hero EBR teammate, Geoff May on the Team Amsoil/Hero EBR 1190RS, as the two broke away from a bigger pack that also included second Yoshimura runner Chris Clark, Foremost Insurance Pegram Racing's Larry Pegram, and KTM/HMC Racing's Chris Fillmore.  The two formation flew their red-and-white EBRs late in the race with reigning AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike king Eslick winning out for fifth ahead of May. Clark held onto the fight for fifth deep into the race before running wide in Turn 5 on lap 8 of 13. He carried on to claim a respectable seventh.  Kneedraggers.com/Motul/Fly's David Anthony took full advantage of a mistake on Pegram's part (Pegram ran off course) and worked past Fillmore to claim eighth.  Fillmore and Pegram, meanwhile, rounded out the top ten.  National Guard Jordan Suzuki's Roger Hayden's woes continued today, being hit by a 5-second penalty for jumping the start and then suffering from a problem that saw him finish well down the field in 13th. Hayes' monster performance in back-to-back weekends has tilted the title fight decidedly in his favor. The champ now leads Young by 20 points (257-237). AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike Martin Cardenas won the Sunday AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike race at Road America, turning the fastest lap of the race on his final time around to take victory against a five-rider pack. Cardenas, winning his sixth victory of the season, took the race by 1.01 seconds on his GEICO Suzuki when his strongest rival in the race, Cameron Beaubier of Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha, crashed in the last corner on the final lap.  "I made a good start and I tried to push and get into a good rhythm, to see if anyone could come with me to the front," Cardenas said. "I knew the last two laps were important so when the time came, I pushed hard." Cardenas now leads the points in the class 206 to 159 over Jason DiSalvo. DiSalvo started poorly but made his way up to the leading group by halfway before rallying to take second place on his Latus Motors Racing Triumph.  J.D. Beach earned third place, the first GoPro Daytona SportBike podium for his RoadRace Factory/Red Bull team. Tommy Hayden took fourth for Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha, just 0.1 off the podium after an overnight engine change helped his competitiveness. Jake Zemke put the DucShop Ducati fifth again, less than a second ahead of Dane Westby (M4 Suzuki). Huntley Nash was seventh for LTD Racing, putting in a strong race at Elkhart both times out. AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com SuperSport Stefano Mesa of Kneedraggers.com Yamaha won a wild AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com SuperSport race at Road America on Sunday. Mesa took victory in a dramatic race that came down to the final run to the stripe before first-time AMA Pro winner Mesa crossed the line first. The last lap's action spot was turn five. Mesa, Jake Lewis, who won Saturday's Motorcycle-Superstore.com SuperSport race, and reigning SuperSport champ James Rispoli all came into the corner hot. Rispoli, on the inside, lost the front and crashed. That forced Lewis--who led most of the event--wide, and Mesa took the point.  "In the last lap, we all went way too deep," said Mesa "(James) crashed, and it was a bummer for him, but I got the drive out of there." Lewis came charging back, though, passing Mesa in the chicane. Not to be outdone, Mesa returned the favor in Canada Corner and was able to hold off Lewis to the flag.  "I was drafting Jake and trying to make a move like I did on Rispoli yesterday," said Mesa. "It was really close." Corey Alexander (National Guard Fairhills Group) took third place, beating RoadRace Factory/Red Bull teammates Tomas Puerta and Hayden Gillim. Gillim gained one point on Rispoli, who remounted to finish sixth, in the West standings and now trails the New Yorker by 26 points, 181-155. AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 Series Road America's three long straights dashed any plans polesitter Tyler O'Hara had for making a second breakaway as he found himself caught up in a three-way drafting battle with his Bartel's Harley-Davidson teammate, Michael Barnes, and Daytona race winner Kyle Wyman on the KLR Group/Vesrah Suzuki entry.  The three men traded positions repeatedly and brought three contrasting strategic approaches into the final lap. All were positioned where they thought they had the best possibility to win, but only Wyman was proven correct in his assement.  The youngster slotted into the lead to minimize the damage through his weakest corner, and then took advantage of his superior speed through the track's final corners to successfully withstand an attempted drafting assault by the Bartel's duo. "It's good to get the first win for our title sponsor, KLR Group, who came on after Daytona," Wyman said. "It was a good race. I knew it was going to be the three of us dicing it up. I figured out that I was pretty quick through the last few corners of the racetrack but very week in the Carousel. I figured if I could be out front at the end of the Carousel I'd be all right to the finish. I knew I could get a good drive out of the last corner. I led the whole last lap and it worked out to plan." While falling short in his attempt to slingshot past Wyman by just 0.157, Barnes held off O'Hara at the flag to shuffle the championship leader back to third and further tighten the title race. O'Hara now leads with 138 to Wyman's 129 and Barnes' 123. Next Event The 2012 AMA Pro Road Racing schedule picks back up for Round 6 following a couple weeks off at the immaculate Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL on June 22-24.

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.    For additional information contact:   AMA Pro Racing Communications, (386) 492-1014, communications@amaproracing.com

AMA Road Racing: Road America SpeedTV Tune-In Alert

Tune-In Alert: Today's AMA Pro Road Racing Action from Road America Begins at 11:00 p.m. ET/ 8:00 p.m. PT on SPEED

ELKHART LAKE, Wis. (June 3, 2012) - Sunday's AMA Pro Road Racing action from Road America will be featured on SPEED starting at 11:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. PT tonight. How to catch the action: DirecTV - Channel 607 DISH Network - Channel 150 Verizon FiOS - Channel 83 (SD)/Channel 583 (HD) AT&T U-Verse - Channel 652 (SD)/Channel 1652 (HD) Between the races, stay connected with AMA Pro Road Racing at www.twitter.com/AMAProSBK and www.facebook.com/AMAProRoadRacing.

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