AMA Pro Flat Track Announces Confirmed Dates for 2013 Season

Riders and team members make final preparations as the machines are brought to life in order to do battle at round 4 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season at the Springfield Mile I on May 27.

Jared Mees on the #9 Rogers Racing/Blue Springs H-D-sponsored XR750, Luke Gough on the #62 Skip Eaken/Roeder Racing-backed Kawasaki 650R, Bryan Smith on the #42 Crosley Radio/Howerton Motorsports-backed rocket Kawi, Willie McCoy on his #59 H-D of Wausau/Independence H-D-sponsored XR, Jake Johnson on the #1 Zanotti Racing/Schaeffer's H-D-backed XR and Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. on the #2 Screamin' Eagle/H-D Motor Co-sponsored factory XR750 fill out the front row in what would be another exciting 25-lap National main at the Illinois State Fairgrounds mile oval.

In welcome news out of Daytona Beach today, AMA Pro Flat Track has announced the confirmed dates for the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season in what is surely the earliest announcement of a solid calendar by AMA Pro Flat Track in the last three seasons. 

Fourteen dates that have been confirmed include among others, the season-opening rounds at Daytona in March, a return to the Peoria TT in August followed by the Lucas Oil Indy Mile, the annual treks to the Springfield Mile over Memorial Day and Labor Day, and the season-ending round in Pomona in mid-October.

AMA Pro Flat Track is still working to secure two rounds in Arizona at the beginning and end of the season and is also working on bringing another event to Ohio, strongly rumored to be a return to the Greenville Half-Mile which was on the schedule several years ago. 

A rumored return to I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, MI. was no where to be mentioned on the schedule, although after the fall-out from the last-minute cancelation of this year's round most likely having some bearing as to whether AMA Pro Flat Track was willing to chance another go around with the track and/or promoters, although that is strictly speculation after the rumor was floated that there may have been a return to I-96.  Note--for the second year in a row, this leaves the schedule without any rounds in Michigan, home to many of the current and a large handful of former champions and competitors.

The west coast is getting an extra burst for the 2013 calendar, with the return of the classic Castle Rock TT, Santa Rosa and Sacto Miles, as well as two new half-mile venures in Elma, Washington and Stockton, California.

Thanks to AMA Pro Flat Track for the full press release below which details all of the announced dates for 2013 thus far.

AMA Pro Racing Announces Confirmed Dates on 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track Schedule

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (December 10, 2012) - AMA Pro Racing is pleased to announce 14 confirmed events on the 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track schedule. In addition to the events listed below, AMA Pro Racing plans to make announcements on three additional events in the near future.

All of the AMA Pro Flat Track events in 2013 will once again feature non-stop entertainment and thrilling motorcycle racing action from the AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com and AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles classes. Of the confirmed events announced today, Harley-Davidson Insurance GNC Expert Singles will compete at four of the rounds, broken down into two Short Tracks and two Tourist Trophies, while the mighty Expert Twins will contest the remaining 10 rounds, consisting of five Half-Mile and five Mile tracks. Fans can also expect to watch as the sport's finest up-and-coming talent battle for fame and glory in Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles races.

 

On March 14-15, 2013, DAYTONA® Flat Track will once again play host to the AMA Pro Flat Track opener as the series kicks off the 2013 season with a doubleheader on the quarter-mile lime rock track located outside Daytona International Speedway's west banking. At the 2012 season opener, fans witnessed two riders taking their breakout Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship wins, with Johnny Lewis holding off the charging field for his first in the Thursday night final and Matt Weidman taking the checkered flag over eventual 2012 series champ Jared Mees in Friday's main event.

Next up, the series will make a stop in Arizona on May 4, 2013 at a TBA event before heading to Stockton, Calif.'s Half-Mile track at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds on May 11, 2013. The event will mark the first time AMA Pro Flat Track races on the all-new Half-Mile track located within the historic Stockton Mile and it's sure to bring northern California some of the most exciting motorcycle racing action in the world.

It wouldn't be a complete season if AMA Pro Flat Track didn't visit Springfield, Ill. The legendary Springfield Mile has served as one of the most historic venues and is considered to be one of the most coveted wins on the circuit. When the fire-breathing twins roll off the trucks at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on May 26, 2013, this go-around is sure to add even more excitement to the legacy of the storied event.

 

Another TBA event is scheduled in Ohio on June 8, 2013 before the series heads to another historically significant and action-packed circuit on June 29, 2013. Dating back to 1984, AMA Pro Flat Track has made the trek to Lima, Ohio to take on the "cushion" Half-Mile at the Allen County Fairgrounds, and this year will be no exception.

 

 

Bryan Smith #42 leads Sammy Halbert #7, Jake Johnson #1, Willie McCoy #59 and the rest of the field coming out of turn 4 at the running of the Springfield Mile II at round 13 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Champioship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season.  AMA Pro Racing announced the confirmed dates for the 2013 season today.  AMA Pro Flat Track photo by Dave Hoenig.

 

Just after the Fourth of July holiday, the Series will make a swing near the Nation's capital on July 6, 2013 as Hagerstown, Md.'s Hagerstown Speedway will host the only round on the east coast that features what is typically a very smooth, and very fast, half-mile track. Jared Mees grabbed his lone win in 2012 over local-favorite Jake Johnson at last year's event, and the defending champ will likely have his hands full when the star-studded line-up gets to the grid again next season.

The second west-coast tour begins on July 20, 2013 with a Half-Mile event at Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Wash, followed by the always-incredible Sacramento Mile at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds in Sacramento, Calif. on July 27, 2013. That leg will conclude with a drive up the coast, where the AMA Pro Flat Track stars will hop back on their 450cc singles at the Castle Rock Race Park TT in Castle Rock, Wash. on August 3, 2013.

 

Next up is another TT, and the granddaddy of them all, scheduled for one week later at Peoria Race Park in Peoria, Ill. on August 11, 2013. The Peoria TT has been a staple on the Grand National circuit since 1947 and still packs the hillsides with spectators eager to watch the high-flying singles take to the track. Watch out for Henry Wiles, who collected his eighth consecutive victory at the legendary venue last year and seems to be unbeatable here.

The Indy Mile at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Ind., returns to the 2013 schedule on August 17, 2013 and the event will once again coincide with both the Indiana State Fair and MotoGP's state-side return for the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Labor Day Weekend means a return to the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Ill. for the second Springfield Mile on the calendar; the September 1st event is the final 2013 AMA Pro Flat Track event scheduled east of the Mississippi river.

AMA Pro Flat Track will once again head west to the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa to battle it out against the beautiful backdrop of the Santa Rosa Mile. In last year's contest, Sammy Halbert grabbed his fourth win of the season in front of a packed house, and the 2012 runner-up will definitely be looking to match his winning result on September 29, 2013.

The last to-be-announced event on the schedule is slotted for October 5, 2012 in Arizona before the 2013 AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com schedule comes to a close - and fan-favorite Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. looks to repeat his commanding victory - on the half-mile track at the LA County Fairplex in Pomona, Calif on October 12, 2013.

2013 AMA Pro Flat Track Schedule:

March 14th	DAYTONA Flat Track I	DAYTONA Flat Track Daytona Beach, Fla.	Short Track
March 15th	DAYTONA Flat Track II	DAYTONA Flat Track Daytona Beach, Fla.	Short Track
May 4th	TBA	Arizona
May 11th	Stockton Half-Mile	San Joaquin County Fairgrounds, Stockton, Calif.	Half-Mile
May 26th	Springfield Mile	Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Ill.	Mile
June 8th	TBA	Ohio
June 29th	Lima Half-Mile	Allen County Fairgrounds, Lima, Ohio	Half-Mile
July 6th	Hagerstown, Half-Mile	Hagerstown Speedway, Md.	Half-Mile
July 20th	Grays Harbor Raceway	Grays Harbor, Elma, Wash.	Half-Mile
July 27th	Sacramento Mile	Cal Expo, Sacramento, Calif.	Mile
August 3rd	Castle Rock TT	Castle Rock Race Park, Castle Rock Wash.	TT
August 11th	Peoria TT	PMC Race Park, Peoria, Ill.	TT
August 17th	Indy Mile	Indiana State Fairground, Indianapolis, Ind.	Mile
September 1st	Springfield Mile II	Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Ill.	Mile
September 29th	Santa Rosa Mile	Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa, Calif.	Mile
October 5th	TBA	Arizona
October 12th	Flat Track Season Finale	LA County Fairplex, Pomona, Calif.	Half-Mile

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

ICE Speedway Announces 37th Annual Ice Racing Series Schedule

Jared Mees #1 leads the field into turn one for the final round of the night in the ICE Speedway Series at the US Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington, IL. on January 21, 2012.  ICE Speedway announced their 37th Annual World Championship Ice Racing schedule today.  Check it out below to get your tickets to the great action ahead in the ICE Speedway Series coming your way for the winter season.

2012 World Championship ICE Racing Series
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12/10/12   37th ANNUAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CHASE FIRES UP IN DECEMBER!!!   ICE/International Championship Events recently announced the schedule for the 37th ANNUAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ICE RACING SERIES. This exciting motorsports series has become a tradition in many of America's top sports arenas each winter. This unique and extreme sport features the top ice racers on the planet competing on lightning quick state-of-the-art Manufacturers World Cup Motorcycles and anything goes no holds barred ICE Unlimited Outlaw Quads (highly modified 4-wheel racing ATV's).     The season opener will take place December 14th at the Showare Center in Kent, WA followed the next night by Round 2 at the Comcast Center in Everett, WA where ICE began a motorsports competition on ice tradition the first year this arena opened. After the Holiday break Rounds 3 & 4 will be held at the Maverik Center in Salt Lake City, UT. From there the Series moves on to Illinois for the annual Battle For Bloomington Championship. Round 6 moves to the East Coast at the popular Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, VA. At the time of this release the Championship Grand Finale is scheduled for and a new market for ICE Racing Evansville, IN. This exciting event will take place at the all beautiful Ford Center. Check on icespeedway.com as more racing dates could be added to this year's schedule.     A great field of World Cup Motorcycle riders is expected to compete for the WC Title this winter headed up by Minnesota's Jake "The Snake" Mataya, PA's "Freight Train" Tom McGrane & "Sideways" Sammy Wiggins & MI's "Captain" Kirk Cheney to name a few. Front and center in the dangerously unpredictable ICE Unlimited Outlaw Quads this winter will be none other than the "Wild Child" herself Mandy Brodil Cervantes from Grandy, NC. In her 14 year ice racing career Mandy has won an incredible 5 World Championship Titles! Come cheer her on as she tries for number 6!!! Trying to dethrone Mandy will be a great group of racers including WI's Chuck Calvert & "Stunt Man" Ken Remer, "Jersey Boy" Anthony Demeo, the Kansas Tornados and many more. We are looking forward to a great season of ICE RACING and hope you will join us!     SEE YOU AT THE ICE RACES!!!   THE GREATEST SPECTACLE ON ICE!TM   37TH ANNUAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ICE RACING SERIES SCHEDULE: (Click Link for Tickets)   Fri-Dec 14th 7:30 PM - Showare Center - Kent, WA Sat-Dec 15th 7:00PM - Comcast Arena - Everett, WA Fri-Jan 4th 7:00PM - Maverik Center - Salt Lake, UT Sat-Jan 5th 7:00PM - Maverik Center - Salt Lake, UT Sat-Jan 12th 7:30PM - US Cellular Coliseum - Bloomington, IL Sat-Jan 19th 7:30PM - Hampton Coliseum - Hampton, VA Sat-Feb 23rd 7:30PM - The Ford Center - Evansville, IN (Tickets not on sale yet)   I.C.E. World Headquarters, P.O. Box 8648, Myrtle Beach, SC 29578 P: (843) 750-0741; E:info@icespeedway.com ; www.icespeedway.com   THE GREATEST SPECTACLE ON ICE!TM -Celebrating 37 years of arena motorsports entertainment excellence-	International Championship Events, LLC. PO Box 8648 Myrtle Beach, SC 29578 EMAIL I.C.E. HERE
Copyright International Championship Events, LLC. & Icespeedway.com 2011-2012

AMA Road Racing: KTM/HMC Superbike Team Signs Taylor Knapp as Team Mate to Chris Fillmore in AMA Superbike for 2013 Season

KTM/HMC Superbike Racing's KTM RC8R superbikes sit on display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the 5th Annual Red Bull Indianapolis MotoGP in August 2012.  Chris Fillmore's #11 and Stefan Nebel's #12 adorn the KTM display that also featured many of the company's other wares throughout the weekend.

In the first full season for the team in the 2012 AMA Pro National Guard Superbike Championship Fillmore took the #11 KTM/HMC Superbike Team's machine to three top-5 finishes, two of which came at the season-ending round at New Orleans (4th/5th-place) and also managed to pull-out nine top-10s in a season that saw the former AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 Series winner sit out three races due to a broken hand suffered at the Mid-Ohio round in July.  Tally all of that together and Fillmore still pulled out an 11th-place overall finish in the superbike standings.

German team mate Nebel, a former 2-Time IDM German Superbike Champion and IDM Superstock Champion, also competed in nine races with the team with two top-10 finishes.  At the end of the season, Nebel was ranked as the 17th-place rider in the overall championship standings.

After only running a handful of events in the 2011 season, the team is now geared up to run it's second full season in the series, and announced on Friday that they had signed rider Taylor Knapp to compete alongside Fillmore for the 2013 AMA Superbike Championship.  Knapp had previously competed in the superbike, supersport and Daytona SportBike classes in the previous few seasons and brings another fresh and young face to the HMC squad.

You can check out the full press release below along with some other links to what and how the KTM-based team will be moving forward for the 2013 season.


Here's the official press release from KTM/HMC Racing thanks to AMA Pro Road Racing on the signing of Taylor Knapp to the squad for the 2013 season:

http://amaproracing.com/rr/news/index.cfm?cid=55293

SpeedTV.com's Evan Williams talks about the signing in this article and the bright outlook for the team in the upcoming season:

http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/ama-sbk-ktm-poised-for-breakthrough-season/

AMA Pro Road Racing talked with team owner Mitch Hansen back at the end of November about the team's off-season testing and keeping rider Chris Fillmore onboard:

http://amaproracing.com/rr/news/index.cfm?cid=55258

And you can check out the KTM/HMC Racing team's link from the AMA Pro Road Racing site here:

http://amaproracing.com/rr/teams/team.cfm?tid=2283

AMA Flat Track: IMDA Offering Special Bonus Gift Certificates for Early Springfield 2013 Ticket Purchases

With just a few laps to go, Bryan Smith on the #42 Crosley Radio/Howerton Motorsports powered by Eaken Racing/Guts Wear/Dreyer Motorsports-sponsored Kawasaki 650R leads four of the finest racers in the business at the Springfield Mile II on September 16.

Round 13 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season saw Flyin' Bryan finish what he had started to do at the Memorial Day Weekend running of the event by taking the checkers ahead of a stacked field of riders at one of the premier events on The Rolling Thunder Show's calendar.

In the end, Sammy Halbert on his #7 South East H-D/The South Ass/Mo Vaughn Transport/LZ Racing-backed XR750 would follow Smith home, just .041 seconds in arrears with eventual 2012 AMA Grand National Champion Jared Mees just another .222 seconds behind. 

Willie McCoy on his #59 Harley-Davidson of Wausau/Independence H-D/Tucker Rocky/Arai-sponsored XR would bring it home in the 7th-place spot after close contact with Jake Johnson on the #1 Zanotti Racing/Schaeffer's H-D/Boughner Racing Suspension/Arai-backed XR on the final lap, with Johnson rounding out the top-5 behind JD Beach.

The top-7 finishers would be separated in the end by just over 1.3 seconds in what was another stellar event at the Illinois State Fairgrounds mile oval, another in a long line of great racing events as promotoed by the Illinois Motorcycle Dealers Association (IMDA). 

The fine folks from the IMDA have announced special advance-purchase ticket prices and specials for the upcoming 2013 season, and as every flat track fan in the world knows Springfield is THE place to be over the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.

Check out the official release below thanks to the IMDA and AMA Pro Flat Track, and get your discount tickets now to take advantage of what will surely be another great year of racing at the Illinois State Fairgrounds facility!

IMDA Brings in the Holiday Spirit With 2013 Season Gift Certificates

Sent of behalf of the IMDA:   SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (December 7, 2012) - Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for your AMA Pro Flat Track enthusiast? Has your loved one said they have always wanted to go to Springfield and see the fastest mile in the country? The IMDA (Illinois Motorcycle Dealers Association) has gift certificates available for the 2013 Springfield races. The certificates can be used for tickets, t-shirts, programs, or hotel rooms. As a special bonus if the certificates are ordered before December 24th, you will be able to purchase a 2012 Springfield Mile T-shirt for only $5. To order, just call 217-753-8866 or 888-468-1622.   The IMDA has full weekends of racing planned again for the 2013 Memorial Day and Labor Day holiday weekends.   On Friday May 24th , the AMA amateur TT will start at 5pm. To make this night extra exciting, there will be a pro class added to the event and grandstand tickets will be only $10. Then on Saturday May 25th, the AMA All Star TT race will start at 7pm. As a bonus for the riders, the IMDA has committed to add $500 to the expert purse for every top 20 rider that pre-enters by January 31, 2013. That is an extra $10,000 if they choose to race. This will also be a budget friendly race for the fans with tickets only $15 in advance or $20 the week of the race.   On Sunday May 26th, the action heads to the lightning fast Springfield Mile track. This historic race has a reputation for lead changes twice a lap and drafting wars that impress race fans of every discipline. The tickets at the mile are only $30 in advance. As amazing as it sounds, the price for all three days of racing is only $55 per person.                               Kayl Kolkman #98 leads the field away at the start of semi race #2 at round 4 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season at the Springfield Mile I on May 27.  The IMDA is offering special gift certificates for early purchase of their 2013 events at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.  AMA Pro Flat Track photo by Dave Hoenig.     Labor Day weekends starts off on Friday August 30, 2013 with the AMA amateur short track race. Just like in the spring, the race will offer a pro class. Then on August 31st, the AMA All Star Short Track will take place at 7pm. On Sunday September 1st, the excitement is back on the legendary Springfield Mile.   It is never too early to plan for an exciting vacation of racing and riding. When you call to order don't forget to ask us to send you a Springfield Visitor's Guide. There is plenty to do here in addition to the races. Call 217-753-8866 or 888-468-1622.

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

AMA Flat Track: MavTV Set to Broadcast Knoxville Half-Mile on December 13

The three men who have dominated the last three seasons in the AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com series stand atop the box after the running of the Springfield Mile I  on May 29, 2011.  Jared Mees had just won his first-ever mile event at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on the #9 Rogers Lake Racing/Blue Springs H-D/Lucas Oil/Saddlemen-sponsored XR750 over Jake Johnson and Sammy Halbert. 

In the shot above from that great day, AMA Pro Flat Track announcer Barry Boone talks with 3rd-place finisher Slammin' Sammy as runner-up Jersey Jake and event winner Jammin' Jared discuss what really happened out their after 25-laps and Mees' tuner, Brent Armbruster, looks after the team's winning mount.

While Halbert would take the overall wins category for the last two seasons, Johnson and Mees would end up snaring the title in the '11 and '12 seasons, respectively, over the hard-charging Washington State resident.  Johnson added to his '10 title, while Mees took the overall honors this season in a year that saw more and rejuvenated innovations in The Rolling Thunder Show, which is expected to gain even more steam for the upcoming 2013 year.

Rumor has it that the 2013 schedule may include, again, a couple of previously-visited venues that weren't on the schedule in '12, and it was announced on Facebook today that the Pomona season-ending round will be making their official announcement soon as to when their event will take place next year.  And as has been the case for the last two years AMA Pro Flat Track is expected to announce the 2013 schedule sometime in the next 12-14 days +/-.

MavTV and AMA Pro Flat Track announced today that round 11 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season at the Knoxville Half-Mile will be broadcast next Thursday, December 13.  See what the official press release has to say below and get your DVRs set as we all await the release of the new schedule and get ready to welcome Santa Claus into our homes in just 18 more days.

Tune-In Alert: Knoxville Half-Mile Airs December 13th on MAVTV

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (December 6, 2012) - AMA Pro Flat Track's racing action from Knoxville Raceway will be aired next Thursday (December 13) evening at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.   How to catch the action:   Find out how to get MAVTV by going to http://mavtv.com/get-mavtv.html   MAVTV is available nationwide on: Dish Network - 361 Please check your local listings for a channel line-up to find MAVTV. Search Lucas Oil Motorsports Hour or Motorsports Hour if you don't see the program listed.                                Jared Mees on the #9 Rogers Racing XR leads Brad Baker on the #12 Dodge Bros. XR during the running of round 11 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season at the Knoxville Half-Mile.  MavTV will air the race on Thursday, December 13, 2012.  AMA Pro Flat Track photo by Dave Hoenig.     Stay connected with AMA Pro Flat Track at www.twitter.com/AMAProFlatTrack and www.facebook.com/AMAProFlatTrackSeries.

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

2013 AMA Indoor Dirt Track National Championship Series in DuQuoin Sees Tight Racing & Talented Fields

 

JD Beach on the #95 USC Racing/Red Bull/Barnett Farms/Bell Helmets-sponsored Kawasaki KX450F lays down a lap during one of the practice sessions at the Springfield Short Track on September 15 at round 12 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season. 

The part-time flat tracker had a weekend off from his duties in the AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Series and put it to good use in running the final National for the foreseeable future at the Multipurpose Arena on the Illinois State Fairgrounds.  Beach had a strong showing on the day after qualifying 7th out of the 48 riders on-hand to take a qualifying lap, and pulled off a solid 6th-place finish in the National main and backed that up with a 4th-place finish the next afternoon on the Springfield Mile.

Beach, who makes Philpot, Kentucky his home now, has again been contesting the AMA Indoor Series at the Southern Illinois Center in DuQuoin and is once again making it his personal stomping ground.  Of the three rounds and ten races he has contested thus far in the season, Beach has taken a whopping nine wins. 

The series has been seeing a great turnout in terms of amateur and pro talent, and the confines of the Southern Illinois Center's layout and the great promotional and operations work done by the Steve Nace Racing crew has again made for some exceptional racing during the winter break.  Some of the other pros that have been contesting the indoor races so far include among others Jeffrey Carver, Jr. #23, Chad Cose #49 and Brandon Robinson #44.

There are several rounds yet to go with this weekend, December 8 & 9 hosting the next set of events.  You can check out more below from the official press release from the AMA and also see the promotional flyer for the year-end rounds that are scheduled for December 29 & 30.

AMA Indoor Dirt Track National Championship Series brings tight racing, big names to Du Quoin, Ill.

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- December 5, 2012 -- The AMA Indoor Dirt Track National Championship Series is running full throttle at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Du Quoin, Ill., with tight racing and an impressive lineup of Pro and Pro-Am riders highlighting the on-track action in the Steve Nace Racing-promoted series.

"We're having a great series with competitive racing across the board, in both motorcycle and ATV competition.  These riders don't slow down when the outside temperatures drop," said promoter Steve Nace.   "There's a lot of exciting short-track and TT racing on the schedule through late February -- not to mention an indoor, heated facility to keep the fans nice and warm -- so come on out and catch some racing."

 

One of the tighter championship races is in the 250cc Modified class, where just 1 point separates class leader Kolby Carlile from Canandaigua, N.Y., and Jeffery Lowery from St. Louisville, Ohio. Carlile, who has performed better in the short-track events, has three wins to Lowery's two.

Lowery, however, leads the points in the 251-500cc DTX class and 450 Mod class, where Carlile is fourth in the points.

The Vet riders are also heating up the track. Shawn Granderson from Chandler, Ind., leads the Vet 30+ class and the Senior 40+ class, where Tim Trowbridge from Eau Claire, Mich., sits second in points. James Dean Faulkner from Simpson, Ill., with one short-track win, is keeping Granderson honest in the Vet 30+ class, while Trowbridge currently leads the points chase in the 50+ class.

The fastest racing on the track is the Open Pro-Am competition, which has included current dirt-track and roadracing stars, including JD Beach from Philpot, Ky.; Hayden Gillim from Philpot, Ky.; Chad Cose from Freemont, Calif.; JR Addison from Bucyrus, Ohio; and Jeffrey Carver from Alton, Ill. Addison and Carver are past winners of the AMA Dirt Track Horizon Award, presented to the amateur dirt-track racer poised for success in the pro ranks. Gillim has won the AMA Roadrace Horizon Award.

All racing takes place at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds' Southern Illinois Center in Du Quoin, Ill. Gates open at 2 p.m., with practice beginning at 5 p.m. A pit pass is $15, while children 5 years old and younger get in free. Friday night practice is available from 6-9 p.m. for $25.

Remaining rounds are Dec. 8, Dec. 29, Dec. 30, Jan. 12, Feb. 9 and Feb. 23. The Dec. 29 round is short-track competition only. The other rounds feature both short-track and TT racing.

 

For more information about the AMA Indoor Dirt Track National Championship Series, call Steve Nace Racing Productions at (270) 442-7532 or see www.stevenaceracing.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.

 

 

2013 AMA Indoor Dirt Track National Championship Series flyer courtesy of Steve Nace Racing.  Rounds 5 & 6 will take place on Saturday, December 29 and Sunday, December 30, 2012 with a practice being offered on Friday night, December 28.

 

 

2012 AMA Championship Banquet Award Nominees Announced

AMA announces award nominees for 2012 AMA Championship Banquet

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- December 5, 2012 -- The American Motorcyclist Association announces the nominees for 2012 year-end awards for standout individuals and organizations involved in AMA-sanctioned competition. The awards will be presented at the 2012 AMA Championship Banquet on Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Aladdin Event & Conference Center in Columbus, Ohio.

"The AMA, our promoting partners and chartered clubs work hard to provide the country's leading competition and recreational events for motorcyclists and ATV riders," said AMA Vice President of Operations Jeff Massey. "Tens of thousands of dedicated racers and organizers pour their hearts and souls into this sport, so it's with great significance that we single out those who have excelled to represent their fellow racers, their clubs, their AMA Districts and the Association itself with the utmost skill, sportsmanship and character. All of the riders nominated for these awards have contributed to the AMA's mission of promoting and protecting the riding lifestyle."

The AMA's highest competitive honors are the AMA Athlete of the Year awards that recognize two exceptional racers: one from AMA National Championship Series competition and one who has excelled at an AMA Grand Championship event. Both awards are selected by an independent group that includes members of AMA Congress, retired AMA Athletes of the Year from previous years, and previous winners of the AMA Media Award.

 

"The AMA Athletes of the Year for National Championship Series and AMA Grand Championship competition recognize exceptional levels of performance, dedication and sportsmanship, and it's important that those riders are selected by an informed and diverse group of racing experts from across disciplines," Massey said. "We're appreciative of the time and effort our voters invest in this process."

All award winners will be announced and recognized alongside hundreds of their fellow competitors from numerous disciplines at the 2012 banquet. The banquet will honor riders who finished in the top three in AMA National Championship Series and AMA Grand Championship events. All honored riders will be invited to the stage, with class champions receiving their personalized AMA national No. 1 plates.

The AMA Championship Banquet will include a reception, bike show, dinner, an awards banquet and a full slate of activities for riders and fans of all ages. In addition to awards and No. 1 plates, attendees will have a chance to win a number of door prizes, including a Kawasaki KLX110 minibike. On Friday evening, Jan. 18, all riders are invited to an open house at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in nearby Pickerington, Ohio.

 

Tickets to the AMA Championship Banquet and event details are available here: www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Racing/RacingBanquet.aspx.

AMA Rider Award Nominees

AMA Athlete of the Year: National Championship Series

* Steward Baylor, Belton, S.C.: Champion, AMA National Enduro Championship Series Second
* Taddy Blazusiak, Murrieta, Calif.: Champion, AMA EnduroCross National Championship Series
* Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky.: Champion, AMA Arenacross National Championship Series
* Kurt Caselli, Palmdale, Calif.: Champion, AMA Hare & Hound National Championship Series
* Cory Graffunder, Palm Desert, Calif.: Champion, AMA West Hare Scrambles Championship Series
* Jeffery Lowery, St. Louisville, Ohio: 450cc Mod, 250cc Mod, 251-500cc DTX Champion, AMA Indoor Dirt Track National Championship Series
* Pat Smage, Elkhorn, Wis.: Champion, AMA/NATC MotoTrials National Championship Series
* Jedediah Haines, Fairfield, Pa.: AMA East Hare Scrambles Championship Series

AMA Athlete of the Year: Amateur Grand Championships

* Zach Bell, Cairo, Ga.: AMA Motocross Horizon Award Winner, AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn's
* JR Addison, Bucyrus, Ohio: AMA Dirt Track Horizon Award Winner, AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships
* Andre Ochs, Fallbrook, Calif.: AMA Roadrace Horizon Award Winner, AMA Roadrace Grand Championships
* Logan Cipala, Ellsworth, Wis.: AMA Hillclimber of the Year, AMA Hillclimb Grand Championships
* Kyle Johnson, Twin Lake, Mich.: AMA Ice Racer of the Year, AMA Ice Race Grand Championships

ATV Athlete of the Year

* Cody Gibson, Englewood, Tenn.: Pro-Am Production, Pro-Am Unlimited Champion, AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Series
* Nicholas Gennusa, Wall Township, N.J.: 450 A, 4-Stroke A, Production A Champion, AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Series
* Harold Goodman, Brownstown, Mich.: Pro, Pro-Am Champion, AMA ATV Extreme Dirt Track National Championship Series
* Scott Samuel, Westborough, Mass., Champion, AMA ATV Hare Scrambles National Championship Series

AMA Veteran/Senior Rider of the Year

* Michael Grizzle, Dahlonega, Ga.: 45+ A Champion, AMA Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series
* Kurt Nicoll, Temecula, Calif.: Vet 35+ Champion, AMA Endurocross Grand Championships
* Gary Semics, Masters 50+ Champion, AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn's

AMA Female Rider of the Year

* Maria Forsberg, Lynnwood, Wash.: Women's Champion, AMA Endurocross Championship Series
* Mandi Mastin, Whitehouse, Ohio: Bronze Medal, FIM International Six Days Enduro
* Molly Terry, Creve Coeur, Ill.: 450 Modified Mile Champion, Women's Grand Champion, AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships

AMA Youth Rider of the Year

* Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla.: Super Mini 1 (12-15), Super Mini 2 (13-16) Champion, AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn's
* Sophia Olivera, Hollister, Calif.: Girls Champion, AMA West Hare Scrambles Championship Series
* Tyler Scott, Emmaus, Pa.: 50cc DTX PW Shaft, 50cc DTX Champion, AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships

AMA Media Award

* Dick Lague
* Next Moto Champion
* Moto Playground/The Pickle

AMA Sportsman of the Year

No nominees announced

AMA Organizer Award Nominees

 

Motocross Organizer of the Year

* RPM
* Unlimited Sports
* MX Sports

Off-Road Organizer of the Year

* WNYOA (Western New York Off Road Association)
* National Enduro Promotions Group
* 100's MC

Track Racing Organizer of the Year

* Steve Nace Racing
* Valley Springs MC
* Lodi MC

ATV Organizer of the Year

* Mid-America XC
* Extreme DT Michael Coburn Racing
* Racer Productions

Recreational Road Riding Organizer of the Year

* ABATE of Ohio
* Motorcycle Sport Touring Association
* Ride for Kids

Recreational Off-Road Organizer of the Year

* Tri County MC
* District 37 Off Road
* Enduro Riders

AMA Club of the Year

* Brandywine Enduro
* Polka Dots

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.

 

 

Roadracing World.com Reports GPTech MotoGP CRT Team Awarded Wild Card Entries for 2013 U.S. MotoGP Rounds at COTA, Laguna Seca & Indy

The GP Tech team goes about readying the #20 BCL Motorsports/GPTech GP212 mount for rider Aaron Yates just before the afternoon practice session of testing hosted by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in August '12, while The Enforcer waits in the background with his helmet on and his steely-eyed focus on what was yet to come. 

In only their third outing on-track before the next weekend's events surrounding the 5th Annual Red Bull Indianapolis MotoGP, Yates and the team were still in the process of becoming familiar with the MotoGP-spec Bridgestone tires (after testing at two other venues with AMA-spec rubber) and making adjustments to the electronics on the GSX-R1000-powered CRT machine.

Only getting a brief minute to talk before he headed back out for more laps, I took the time to introduce myself to one of the true legends of AMA Pro Road Racing.  Having been a long-time fan of Yates' I explained, that it was great to see him back out at it again and that the sport needed more guys with his personality.  He took the time to thank me and shake my hand while casually saying 'we're just going to do what we can' and try and 'have some fun' in the process.  He also assured me his leg was completely healed from his devastating injuries suffered in an AMA Superbike practice session in California in spring of 2010.

Roadracing World.com reported earlier today that the GPTech team has been granted wild card entries with their CRT (claiming rules team) machine for all of the U.S. rounds in the 2013 season.  You can read more on that below.

Aaron Yates looks over the GPTech MotoGP CRT machine as the team preps the bike for another test run at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on August 11, 2012.  The team had previously entered wild card entries in the Moto2 class at Indy with Jason DiSalvo in 2010 and Jake Gagne during the 2011 round, and decided to 'step-up' to the premier class at the 5th Annual Red Bull Indy MotoGP.

With the new claiming rules team bikes allowed on the grid with the multi-million dollar MotoGP prototypes in order to help fill the grids, the GPTech team was one of the first along with Attack Performance Kawasaki to field entires in the first season with the new rules in one or both of the U.S. rounds of the series. 

Yates put in a great effort for himself and the team in what was his first big race back at the track.  He had previously done some WERA events in order to get re-acclimated to being back in the saddle again after his long break from the track after being injured at Fontana back in early 2010 while still riding for the Michael Jordan Motorsports AMA Superbike team (note Yates' leathers from that season).  Although they finished 16th and first out of the points in the final, they were still running at the end and held the distinction of being the last bike running at the end of the 28-lap race.

Hopefully with the team announcing their intent to run all three U.S. rounds in the upcoming 2013 season they will be able to utilize the fine efforts of 'Double A-ron' again.  With the first U.S. round scheduled in Texas in late April '13, they have just a few precious months to get ready.  And regardless of the outcome, it was great seeing Yikes Yates back on the track again!


David Swarts at Roadracing World.com reports today that the GPTech MotoGP team has been awarded wild card entries for all of the MotoGP rounds in the United States next year for their CRT effort.  Read on:

http://roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=50411

Here's a great glimpse at the team's efforts from their inuagural outing in the MotoGP class at the 5th Annual Red Bull Indy MotoGP round in August, thanks to Dean Adams and SuperbikePlanet.com.  This also has a great shot of the bike in it's 'raced-in' livery as opposed to the 'testing' basic graphics as what were used during the team's initial outing at IMS just a week before the Indy round:

http://superbikeplanet.com/2012/Aug/120817p2wsaxz.htm

And this was posted on Roadracing World.com back in early August '12 about the team's efforts to get ready for the Indy round over the August 17-19 weekend:

http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=49267