Mid-America Speedway Official Opening Night Set for June 9

Mid-America Speedway Issue No. 8

In This Issue June 9th Update Mid-America on Facebook and Twitter Opening Night info   Mid-America realizes that the future of the sport rests with the youth riders and just like last year, we will pay a $100 bonus to the winning bike owner in the 85-200cc class Also, new this year is the 250+ Amateur class which is open to riders that have never held an AMA Pro Racing License. This is open to any rider that is eligible to ride a 250 or larger machine. Meaning that in order to ride a 250 you must be 12 years or older, and 14 years or older to ride a 450. Minor Waivers Please remember that a parent or legal guardian must sign a waiver for any rider under the age of 18 in order to enter the pits. If a rider is going to be accompanied by anyone other than a parent/legal guardian they must have a notarized release signed by the child's parent/legal guardian. We can also email a copy of the release form if needed. Minor releases are not required for the grandstands. Practice Nights Practice nights at Mid-America will start on Wednesday, June 13th. There will also be open practice on Saturday, June 16th which will include complimentary burgers, hot dogs, and drinks. Practices are generally held each Wednesday provided there is not a race on the following Saturday. Remember that minors must have a parent/legal guardian sign the waiver. The link to view the practice schedule is: http://midamspeedway.com/pages/practice.htm Mid America on Facebook and Twitter   The best way to keep up to date on what is happening at Mid-America is to follow us on Facebook or Twitter. While it seemed like the day would never arrive, Mid-America Speedway is excited to be kicking off our 2012 season in less than 10 days. We consider the 2011 season the most successful thus far, but we are confident that when the final flag drops on October 27th that most people will agree that 2012 was our best season yet. We believe that we spend more time preparing Mid-America than many of the other tracks and feedback from our fans and riders re-enforce this as we consistently get positive comments from everybody that attends our races. Please take a minute to read this email to bring yourself up to speed on what is happenning at Mid-America Speedway Once again, Byrnes Grilled Pizza is going to be serving up their pizzas. Please visit their website at http://www.byrnespizza.com/. They will be serving from 5:30pm to 9pm. Important times to remember: Riders Meeting: 4:00pm Practice: 4:30pm Heats: 7:00pm Sincerely, The staff of Mid-America Speedway Mid-America Updates   The last several updates have requested that people follow us on Twitter and Facebook. The Twitter address for Mid-America Speedway is @Midamspeedway. The track's website has also been updated so that tweets appear on the homepage of the Mid-America website. We plan on posting results as the checkered flag drops on the heats and mains.   Links to the Twitter and Facebook pages are posted to the bottom left of this email     Thank you   Thank you again for supporting Mid-America in the past and in the future. Without our fans, riders and sponsors we would not have what we have today.

AMA Flat Track: McCoy Again On Top at The Springfield Mile

With the checkers literally just feet away after 25 hard-charging and rousing laps, Willie McCoy gets ready to celebrate by taking the win at the Springfield Mile I on his #59 Harley-Davidson of Wausau/Independence H-D/Tucker Rocky/Arai-sponsored H-D XR750 at round 4 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season.

Wild Willie took the lead when it counted, coming off of turn 4 on the last lap as he split 2nd-place finisher Jake Johnson on the #1 Zanotti Racing/Schaeffer's H-D/Boughner Racing/Arai-backed XR750 and 3rd-place finisher Bryan Smith on the #42 Howerton Motorsports/Eaken Racing Kawasaki/Midwest Performance Hardware/Guts Wear-sponsored Kawasaki 650R-based mount, in Smith's debut on the Ricky Howerton-built and Howerton and Jeff Gordon-prepped machine.

Smith led 15 of the 25 laps, 5th-place finisher Johnny Lewis on the #10 Scott Powersports Kawasaki led at the stripe for 8 laps, with Johnson and McCoy taking the other go-arounds, and McCoy's being the one that counted at the end of the day.  4th-place finisher Jared Mees follows them to the line on the #9 Rogers Racing/Blue Springs H-D/Saddlemen/National Cycle-backed XR750. 

McCoy's margin of victory was .017 seconds over defending 2-Time AMA Grand National Champion Johnson, .033 seconds over Smith and .233 seconds over 4th-placed Jammin' Jared, last year's Springfield Mile I winner.

With Lucas Oil/MavTV announcer Kenny Sargent getting ready to do the interviews on the podium after the Springfield Mile I, 3rd-place finisher Bryan Smith looks down at the #59 Harley-Davidson of Wausau XR750 that winner Willie McCoy had just ridden to victory in his second-in-a-row at the Illinois State Fairgrounds mile oval. 

And in a show of true sportsmanship and camaraderie that is rarely seen in any other sport other then The Rolling Thunder Show of AMA Pro Flat Track, 2nd-place finisher Jake Johnson gives a big hug and grin to his friend and fellow racer, Willie McCoy. 

This picture truly helps to illustrate the family closeness and nature that is found in the greatest sport on wheels in the world and represents the friendly atmosphere that surrounds this great sport.  When a 2-Time and defending AMA Grand National Champion can smile from ear-to-ear and hug the guy that just beat him to the win in one of the biggest sporting events of the year in AMA Pro Flat Track racing, it really shows the family-friendly nature that is encountered throughout the pit area and track at these events.

A big congrats to Willie McCoy and to the rest of the great competitors in The Rolling Thunder Show, who again put it on the line to give us all a great event to see on Sunday, May 27.  Round 5 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season sees the series head to the Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima, OH. for one of the best events and longest-standing dates on the calendar on Saturday, June 30.

You can read the full press release below thanks to AMA Pro Flat Track as we look ahead a little over four weeks for the Lima Half-Mile.

McCoy Pulls Off Second Springfield Mile Win in Thrilling Last Lap Fashion

AMA Pro Flat Track Celebrates Memorial Day Weekend With Action Packed On-Track Action

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (May 27, 2012) - The Illinois Motorcycle Dealers Association (IMDA) welcomed AMA Pro Flat Track as the AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com and Lucas Oil rolled into the Illinois State Fairground for round four of the 19 race season. The 90+ degree Memorial Day Weekend continued with racing just as hot as the bullet-fast Springfield Mile. When the final checkered flag fell on the 25-lap National, it was flat track veteran Willie McCoy slipping his Harley-Davidson of Wausau / Independence Harley-Davidson backed XR750 across the line first. After waiting "forever" to win his first National, this win makes it two Springfield Mile wins in a row, as McCoy used the same strategy last year: Lead the only lap that counts, the last one.  "This is our 'Indy 500,' it's the race to win," said McCoy. "After I won it last year, I thought about retiring, but then I thought maybe I could just win it again. I just rode as hard I could around the outside and was able to pull it off again." Willie McCoy takes his wife and kids on a victory lap after winning his second Springfield Mile in a row during round 4 of the 2012 season on Sunday, May 27.  AMA Pro Flat Track photo by Dave Hoenig. McCoy's margin of victory was a scant 17 hundredths of a second over Zanotti Racing / Schaeffer's Harley-Davidson's Jake Johnson. The defending AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Champion, Johnson, edged Bryan Smith who was on the maiden voyage of the Howerton Motorsports / Eaken Racing Kawasaki by another 16 hundredths of a second. Smith led most of the laps after taking the lead on lap 10. He led 15 laps with a five-rider pack on his heels. "A rookie mistake I guess," said Smith. "I tried to go to the bottom off four on that last lap and it just didn't work."  Smith had assumed the lead on lap 10 when he passed the dueling brothers-in-law, Johnny Lewis on the Scott Powersports / Saddlemen Seats backed Kawasaki and Jake Johnson. Also in the mix was the Factory Harley-Davison of Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. and the Rogers Racing / Blue Springs Harley-Davidson of Jared Mees. The mad dash to the finish line was McCoy, Johnson, Smith, Mees and Lewis all within 25 hundredths of the lead. Coolbeth was just outside after being bumped off the groove on the last lap. A day after the red flag-marred TT race, today saw only one. Unfortunately it came in the AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship Expert Main Event, as four riders fell in the first turn of the race. South East Harley-Davidson-backed Sammy Halbert, Global Products / Harley-Davidson Motor Company's Nichole Cheza, Memphis Shades' Robbie Pearson and Werner-Springsteen Racing's Brandon Robinson all hit the ground. Halbert and Cheza were done for the day with Robinson and Pearson restarting, although neither would finish the race.  Jethro Halbert (Goodwin Racing / Drew-Massa Trans), Shawn Baer (Baer Racing Products / KB5), Jeff Carver (Kiesow Racing / Hall's Cycles) and Stevie Bonsey (Dodge Brothers / Alpinstars) rounded out the top ten. AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles The highly competitive AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles 16-lap main was another barn burner and once again the victor led only the last lap. Team Cunningham Racing / Schillers Tree Service's Jake Cunningham had been in fifth place on the white flag lap, but shot his Yamaha to the front and edged Zakk Palmer (Double Dick Bandits / Western Hills Honda) by 5 thousandths of a second. Crowd favorite Shayna Texter and her DFW Honda / RLT Racing / Herr's backed Honda, Performance Cycle & Dyno / Mack Daddy Racing's Stephan Vanderkuur and Montgomeryville Cycle Center's Jake Shoemaker rounded out the top five all within 15 hundredths of a second of the leader. Coy Mathews (King's Kustoms), John Long (Powered by Clark) and Eric Stump (Markbilt Race Bikes) filled out the lead pack, all with a shot at the win. Point Standings and Year-End Award Updates In the AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles point standings, Gerit Callies retains his lead despite not qualifying for the main event. Cunningham's win pushes him into second over Ryan Wells and the absent Hayden Gillim, who won today's AMA Pro Road Racing race final in the AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com SuperSport class at Miller Motorsports Park. Jason Isennock moves into fifth over Hunter Taylor. The AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com and Lucas Oil point standings are now led by Jared Mees, as he holds a 14 point advantage over Matt Weidman. Johnny Lewis and Jake Johnson are tied just one point behind Weidman. Kenny Coolbeth sits in fifth, seven points behind Johnson and Lewis. The MotoBatt "Hard Charger" Award for the Springfield Mile went to Stevie Bonsey, who started in 18th position and battled his way to finish 10th in the Expert Main Event. Johnny Lewis now takes the lead in the Cortech "Performance Edge Award" year-end points fund chase over Sammy Halbert and Henry Wiles. Kenny Coolbeth continues to lead the Sunoco "Go the Distance Award" year-end points fund chase by having logged 208 laps for 103 miles. Bryan Smith sits in second place with 203 laps and 101.5 miles and Jared Mees in third at 202 laps and 100 miles. The "Go the Distance Award" is given to the Expert rider that covers the most distance during the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track season. In AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles, Wyatt Maguire leads the Sunoco "Go the Distance Award" with 139 laps, accumulating 65 miles. Jason Isennock is in second with 134 laps and 64.25 miles and Eric Stump in third with 109 laps and 64 miles.

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: Henry Wiles Returns to Dominance at Springfield TT Singles Series Event

Round 3 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season saw Henry Wiles atop the podium again after winning his fourth event in the last five outings at the Springfield TT event on Saturday, May 26.  Wiles missed the '11 event at Springfield due to injuries he sustained at round 3 at the DuQuoin Indoor Short track and his subsequent surgery needed to repair his left knee.

Riding the #17 Don's Kawasaki/DPC Racing/Nick Nazzisi/Schiller's Tree Service-sponsored Kawasaki KX450F, Hammerin' Hank again had a stellar evening at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in winning the Dash for Cash (shown on the podium talking with AMA Pro Flat Track announcer Scottie Duebler and receiving the ceremonial Dash check for $1000) and romping to the win in the National main by over 3.6 seconds over runner-up Jake Johnson and 3rd-place finisher Jared Mees, who finished just shy of .6 seconds back of Jersey Jake.

The 2-Time AMA Pro Flat Track Singles Champion made it look easy in taking the lead right from the drop of the green, stretching his lead over the dueling 'J's' throughout the 25-lap main event while even lapping riders towards the end of the just over 10 minute National.  With his fourth win on the TT at the Multipurpose Arena at Springfield, that brings Wiles' total of wins on the little track to nine events, to go along with his string of five straight short track wins ('07-'11.)  Add those wins together with his dominance at the Peoria TT and Wiles now has 16 wins on the small tracks in the Illini State.

Congrats to Henry for a great run from Saturday night, and you can read the full press release below from AMA Pro Flat Track.

Henry Wiles Claims Victory in Springfield TT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (May 26, 2012) - Near record heat hit Round Three of the AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com and Lucas Oil as the Series resumed at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The Illinois Motorcycle Dealers Association built a very challenging TT track inside the beautiful multi-purpose arena. As challenging as the track was, the results were familiar. Don's Kawasaki's Henry Wiles captured his fourth win on the Springfield TT and his 21st Grand National victory, tying him with Joe Kopp for 13th on the all-time win list.  "I knew I had to get a good start because it was really hard to pass. We had a good heat race result so I had a good starting position", said Wiles. "I was able to get the hole shot, but I knew someone was right there for a while. I just kept telling myself, 'go faster, go faster,' pretty soon they weren't there." Henry Wiles returned to dominance at the Springfield TT on Saturday, May 26 after missing last year's round due to his recovering from his injuries suffered at the DuQuoin Indoor Short Track.  AMA Pro Flat Track photo by Dave Hoenig. Defending Grand National Champion Jake Johnson had his Zanotti Racing Honda in second, but couldn't run down Wiles' Kawasaki. Johnson soon had problems of his own as Honda-mounted Montgomeryville Cycle / National Cycle's Jared Mees tried everything to get around number one. Despite all the bouncing and banging, the top three positions were locked in place. Sammy Halbert (Fredericktown Yamaha) was over six seconds back of the leaders holding onto fourth over fast qualifier Jeffery Carver (Carver's BBQ / Twigg Cycles), Brad Baker (Big Ed Beckley / Kenny Tolbert Racing) and points leader Matt Weidman (DFW Honda / Snip) all in a tight group for the whole race. Stevie Bonsey (Alpinestars /Mack Daddy Racing), Briar Bauman (USC Kawasaki / Rod Lake Racing) and Scott's Powersports Johnny Lewis rounded out the top ten. AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles As competitive as the AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com and Lucas Oil class was, the AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles class was even harder. 77 Pro Singles riders attempted to qualify for the 32 starting positions in the two heats. Eventually the field was trimmed to 18 riders for the 16-lap Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles Main. Fun Mart Cycles / Rod Lake's Gerit Callies weathered several restarts to capture his second win of 2012 as he officially led all 16 laps of the race. Markbilt Race Bikes / Eyeballnyc.com's Eric Stump got several hole shots, but just could not hold Callies back. Stump was able to stay right on the leader's hip and finished less than half a second back. Morris Racing / Mach 1's Dominic Colindres was even closer after passing Jason Isennock (Highs Dairy Stores) for third on lap nine.  Isennock was able to hold on to fourth over Ryan Foster (Motion Pro) and Jake Shoemaker (Montgomeryville Cycle Center), all less than two seconds behind Callies. Point Standings and Year-End Award Updates After three rounds, Matt Weidman leads the AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship point standings. Weidman and Jared Mees both have 60 points, but Weidman has one win, giving him the top spot. Sammy Halbert sits 10 points back with Daytona winner Johnny Lewis one more back. 2011 Rookie of the Year Brad Baker rounds out the top five, 15 points off the lead. Gerit Callies led much of the 2011 Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles season and once again finds himself on top of the points. Despite missing this weekend's AMA Pro Flat Track round to race with AMA Pro Road Racing, Hayden Gillim holds on to second 13 points down. Hunter Taylor, Jason Isennock and Ryan Wells are all bunched in third through fifth. The MotoBatt "Hard Charger" Award for the Springfield TT went to Brian Bauman, who started in 18th position and battled his way to ninth by the end of the GNC main event. The Cortech "Performance Edge" Award is locked in a three-way tie heading into Round 4. Johnny Lewis turned the fastest lap of the race in Round 1 at Daytona, Sammy Halbert in Round 2 and last night, Henry Wiles added himself to the fray with a blazing time of 23.660. The standings for the Sunoco "Go The Distance" Award, given to the Expert rider that covers the most distance during the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track season, are currently led by Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. Coolbeth has completed 159 laps so far this season, covering 82.5 miles in the process.

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 Dirt Track Grand Championships Hit the Springfield Mile

AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships kick off on Springfield Mile

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- May 29. 2012 -- The 2012 American Motorcyclist Association Dirt Track Grand Championships fired off the line in a big way today, May 29, with the fastest amateur dirt-track racers in the world running the legendary Springfield Mile at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Ill.

"The Springfield Mile is one of the most historic motorcycle racing venues in the world, and we're thrilled for our amateur racers to have the opportunity to decide national titles on this track," said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. "The AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships always offer some of motorcycle racing's best amateur competition, and I'm looking forward to some great racing this week."

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.

"The championships won and the history written at this track are legendary," said event promoter Steve Nace of Steve Nace Racing. "We're excited to be part of bringing the AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships back to Springfield, Ill., and we're looking forward to a great week of racing."

Another highlight of 2012 is the AMA Pro Grand National Championship, which competed at the same venue just two days earlier. Numerous professional racers, most of whom rose through the ranks by excelling at the AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships, remained in Springfield to see the country's top youth talent.

One prize that everyone will be watching closely is the AMA Dirt Track Horizon Award. The AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships are the amateur proving grounds for the professional ranks, and the fastest riders in premier classes compete for the Horizon Award, which honors the amateur racer poised for success on the pro level.

Other awards up for grabs include top youth and vet awards, in addition to the AMA Fast Brain Award, a scholarship of $1,000 awarded to a young racer who demonstrates not just talent on the racetrack but exceptional grades in the classroom. As they have in past years, AMA Board of Directors Chairman Stan Simpson and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Bill Werner, one of the most successful tuners in dirt-track history, are sponsoring the award.

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 about dirt-track competition, see the Racing section of AmericanMotorcyclist.com. For more information about the 2012 AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships, see 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.

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

Checa & Melandri Split Wins at Miller Motorsports Park SBK World Championship Round 6

Checa up and down as Melandri wins another Miller Motorsports Park (USA), Monday 28 May 2012 – On a sunny race day at Miller Motorsports Park the sixth round of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship delivered some great action and two different race winners to the 49,000 strong weekend crowd. In a landmark day for the series, race one saw World Superbike reach its 600th individual race mark. Carlos Checa (Althea Racing Ducati) and Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) took one race victory apiece, but the weekend winner was the rider who finished third each time today, Max Biaggi (Aprilia Racing). With his haul of 32 points Biaggi now leads the series by 18, from Melandri and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team). Jonathan Rea (Honda World Superbike Team) was the other podium finisher today, second in race two, and after scoring fourth in race one he is fourth overall and only 1.5 points from Melandri and Sykes.  Carlos Checa celebrates with the Ducati flag after winning race 1 on the #7 Althea Racing Ducati 1098R at Miller Motorsports Park on Monday.  Photo courtesy of SBK World Championship. It was a truly up and down day for Checa, as he fell in race two. His fourth no-score of the season, coming along so shortly after his fourth race win, puts him fifth overall. Race 1 Checa pulled a controlled win out of the bag, eventually heading home Melandri by 2.313 seconds. Third was Biaggi who had to work hard in the final laps to hold off Rea. Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing) finished fifth, with pole man Jakub Smrz (Liberty Racing Team Effenbert Ducati) sixth. Slowing front row starter Tom Sykes was finally caught by Chaz Davies (ParkinGO MTC Aprilia) with Davies seventh and Sykes eighth. Carlos Checa: “I had a great time and I always enjoy coming to America, spending time around here, and I always feel really well at this track. It is a fantastic moment for me to win again, get on the podium, to take a victory, so some great feelings come back. It is a really special day for all the Americans here as it is Memorial Day so I want to dedicate this victory to you.” Marco Melandri: “I was struggling a lot last year so to get such a good race was amazing for me. I tried to make life not easy for Carlos but when I came back in the end, I tried to come back to him a few times but I made a mistake. So, for the last lap I chose not to try too much because it was easy to make another mistake. Second place was good for me after such a tough qualifying.” Max Biaggi: “It is good to be on the podium and I appreciate the third position. I had a long fight with Rea and his Honda and we got good points for the championship. In the end I could not go faster than that. On the first lap with so many riders there was a battle and I am happy now because we had a good race and finally we got some California-style weather.” Results: 1. Checa (Ducati) 21 Laps/103.047 km in 38'21.283 average 161.201 kph; 2. Melandri (BMW) 2.313; 3. Biaggi (Aprilia) 5.338; 4. Rea (Honda) 5.517; 5. Laverty (Aprilia) 12.201; 6. Smrz (Ducati) 13.262; 7. Davies (Aprilia) 19.662; 8. Sykes (Kawasaki) 21.292; 9. Fabrizio (BMW) 21.450; 10. Haslam (BMW) 23.433; 11. Giugliano (Ducati) 23.696; 12. Guintoli (Ducati) 24.752; 13. Camier (Suzuki) 29.400; 14. Badovini (BMW) 31.222; 15. Baz (Kawasaki) 32.966; 16. Berger (Ducati) 35.409; etc. Race 2 Melandri and Rea went 1-2 in the second race at Miller, which was halted, shortened to 18 laps, and then re-started late after an oil spill following a crash. The wait was worth it for the spectators as the last lap fight was tense and exciting right up until Melandri took his second win of 2012, by only 0.195 seconds. Biaggi was third and Davies fourth, easily the SBK rookie’s best result of the year. Fifth was Sykes, sixth came Laverty, with Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing Ducati) seventh. Early leader Carlos Checa was unlucky to fall and no score. Marco Melandri on the #33 BMW Motorrad Motorsports S1000RR leads Jonathan Rea on the  #65 Honda World Superbike Team CBR1000RR during their exciting race 2 battle at Miller Motorsports Park on Monday.  Photo courtesy of the SBK World Championship.  Marco Melandri: “It was such a difficult race for me, I was lucky for sure when Carlos made a mistake. I was struggling a little bit with a full fuel tank but after 50% of the race it was getting better. When Johnny passed me he was much faster than me, and I lost a bit of concentration, so Max passed me and then Chaz Davies did as well. So I tried to stay calm, take my rhythm and try to get a good feeling to catch Johnny. I was very lucky because my engine was so strong so I could pass him on the straight. Otherwise for me it would have been really difficult to pass him. So a podium in race one and a win in race two is really unbelievable.” Marco Melandri acknowledges the fans after winning race 2 at the Miller Motorsports Park round on Monday.  Photo courtesy of the SBK World Championship. Jonathan Rea: “Marco made some mistakes in the middle of the race and then I was making some mistakes at the end of the race. He was really strong but I am just so happy to come out of Miller with a fourth and a second. It is so nice to be here on the podium in America. I grew up watching AMA motocross and it was my dream to come to America and race. My team did a fantastic job. We have been lacking a little bit in a straight line but it is unbelievable everywhere else and I could really push to the maximum.” Max Biaggi: “To come all the way to Utah and finish on the podium twice is not so bad, but my dream was to win a race. But there were some other guys who did a better job than me so third position is not so bad. I am not super happy, but not so bad.” Jonathan Rea, Marco Melandri and Max Biaggi celebrate on the podium after race 2 at the  Miller Motorsports Park round of the SBK World Championship on Memorial Day Monday.  Photo courtesy of the SBK World Championship. Results: 1. Melandri (BMW) 18 Laps/88.326 km in 32'56.257 average 160.897 kph; 2. Rea (Honda) 0.195; 3. Biaggi (Aprilia) 2.137; 4. Davies (Aprilia) 4.245; 5. Sykes (Kawasaki) 9.534; 6. Laverty (Aprilia) 9.798; 7. Giugliano (Ducati) 11.891; 8. Haslam (BMW) 12.715; 9. Smrz (Ducati) 13.017; 10. Guintoli (Ducati) 13.703; 11. Camier (Suzuki) 15.687; 12. Fabrizio (BMW) 21.923; 13. Badovini (BMW) 23.940; 14. Baz (Kawasaki) 24.051; 15. Berger (Ducati) 33.897; 16. Hopkins (Suzuki) 38.692; etc. Points (after 6 of 14 rounds): 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. Official Tyre Supplier "The two overseas World Superbike races held at Miller Motorsports Park offered Pirelli important feedback for its work over the last few months with the new R302 rear tyre, developed from the reference SC1 compound as an alternative for use also under lower temperatures and to prevent cold tearing often encountered with the use of soft compounds in harsh conditions. The R302 solution was first used by SBK riders at the Imola test, followed by a successful first-race showing at Donington Park in mid-May receiving great appreciation from nearly all riders. For this reason Pirelli made available this tyre for the USA round which proved positive: in both R1 and R2 the R302 solution was preferred to the SC1 and SC2 reference tyres by 20 of 24 SBK riders on the grid, and as a demonstration of its excellent adaptability to the various motorcycle makes, in the first 5 positions for both races were seated four different teams. We leave the USA very satisfied with how this weekend unfolded both for how this new tyre performed as well as how it positively contributed to the two very equal and winning races." - Giorgio Barbier, Racing Director, Pirelli Moto Pirelli BEST LAP Awards: SBK Race 1 – Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) 1'48.867 (Lap 18) SBK Race 2 – Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) 1'48.820 (Lap 2) Total BEST LAP (SBK): Checa C. (Althea Racing) 4, Biaggi M. (Aprilia Racing Team) 3, Sykes T. (Kawasaki Racing Team) 2, Guintoli S. (Team Effenbert Liberty Racing) 1, Melandri M. (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) 1 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

AMA Road Racing: Hayes in a Romp at Miller Motorsports Park AMA Superbike Final Round 4

How the West was Won: Hayes Dominates in Utah, Retakes AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Points Lead

TOOELE, Utah (May 28, 2012) - Two-time champion Josh Hayes reclaimed the 2012 AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike points lead he surrendered with his Infineon Raceway crash thanks to a decisive, perfect-points performance in the BigM Weekend presented by Lucas Oil at Miller Motorsport Park.  The Monster Energy Graves Yamaha ace raced into the lead from pole position and was never challenged, opening up almost a half-second gap by the conclusion of the opening lap and only building his advantage from there.  Hayes registered an inch-perfect ride at the front aboard his #1 YZF-R1, working his gap up to an eventual 7.774-second margin of victory. After putting the finishing touches on his fourth victory of the season, Hayes said, "What an awesome day. The bike was good, things have been pretty smooth for the weekend, we didn't really make too many changes, and we just worked on getting good clean laps. All in all, it was a pretty smooth run.  "We couldn't have asked for much more today. It was a beautiful day for racing. It was a perfect Memorial Day. Having the National Guard as the primary sponsor of our series, it was fantastic that on Memorial Day we would be able to put on a good show for them," continued the two-time AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike champion. "Thanks to all the servicemen and women out there who support us and hopefully they were entertained by the show under the umbrella they provide for us." The Champ's efforts were aided along by the determined efforts of teammate Josh Herrin and National Guard Jordan Suzuki's Roger Hayden, who did well to harry title contender Blake Young -- who had crashed in the morning warm-up -- during the crucial opening laps.  Herrin and Hayden both took their shots at Young, trading positions 2-4, while Hayes took full advantage of their dogfight to make his escape.  Hayden was not able to maintain the assault for long, however, crashing from a close fourth on lap 4 of 16. That left only National Guard SuperBike freshman Herrin to challenge Young for the runner-up spot.  Herrin applied intense pressure on the rear wheel of Young's #79 Yoshimura Suzuki over the bulk of the contest before making finally making his move in the race's dramatic final lap. The Yamaha upstart attacked to take away second position but Young immediately counterpunched with a hard move back into the spot in the very next corner. Herrin quickly regrouped and registered a decisive maneuver for which the Suzuki championship hopeful had no answer, earning Yamaha a 1-2 on the day.  Herrin said, "It was an awesome race other than the fact that Josh was on the same bike and beat me by eight seconds -- probably more; I probably went about half his pace at the end. But it was pretty cool to be riding with Blake. It was a lot of fun. I didn't quite have the pace to dice with him the whole race. I was just trying to learn where he was stronger and where I was stronger. I was able to get up close to him a few times and see that his tire was getting pretty worn out.  I got lucky with that pass on the outside. It was pretty sketchy because it was dusty out on the edge of the track but luckily it stuck. I was able to hold him off the rest of the lap. Hopefully we can be a contender for a win later on in the season but for now I'm ecstatic getting second." After finishing third Young said, "I really enjoy this track, but I don't know what it is -- I've just been in this little funk. I need to pull through it and apologize to my team. For some reason I'm just a little bit off the beat right now and I don't know if I can point a finger at something. I think I need to reevaluate and get focused. I don't have too much time before we'll be home at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin but maybe that's what I need -- to be home with my friends and family -- to get me motivated to be back up at the front and start racing with Josh [Hayes]. He's done this quite a few races already this year. I need to be racing at the front." Team Amsoil/Hero EBR's Geoff May tracked down Jordan Suzuki's Ben Bostrom to claim fourth. At one point Bostrom looked to be another potential podium contender but eventually faded into the clutches of charging May.  The Georgian actually made some headway on the fight for second over the race's second half, taking the checkered flag less than two seconds behind the thrilling Herrin/Young scrap.  The second EBR 1190RS of Team Hero's Danny Eslick finished sixth, well clear of seventh-placed Larry Pegram on the Foremost Insurance/Pegram Racing BMW S1000RR.  Second Yoshimura Racing entry Chris Clark picked up eighth while Kneedraggers.com/Motul/Fly's David Anthony just edged KTM/HMC Racing's Chris Fillmore for ninth. Josh Hayes ran away from the rest of the field on the #1 Monster Energy Yamaha to take the victory by over 7.7 seconds at round 4 of the 2012 AMA Superbike Championship at Miller Motorsports Park on Memorial Day Monday.  Photo courtesy of AMA Pro Road Racing. Hayes' weekend dominance, combined with teammate Herrin's help, saw the Mississippian transform his four-point championship deficit into a seven-point advantage (194-187) as the series prepares to travel to Young's home track, Road America, in just days. AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 Series Bartel's Harley-Davidson's Tyler O'Hara claimed a rare runaway victory in the AMA Pro Vance & Hines Series typically noted for its closely fought battles at the front. Just as he became the first rider to claim a second pole position in the class this season on Sunday, on Monday he became the first to score a second win with his convincing triumph.  While the season's first races were decided by less than one second combined, O'Hara marched to a 4.260-second margin of victory over KLR Group/Vesrah's Kyle Wyman. "Ever since we unloaded the bike off the truck it's been awesome," O'Hara said. "I rode here a few years ago on the Supermoto track and wanted to be out here. I'm just really comfortable on this track -- it's fast and flowing. I ran really hard tires and was comfortable out there sliding around.  I put in a good charge at the beginning and just maintained the lead."  Wyman, in turn, was well clear of third-place finisher Michael Barnes, who took the checkered flag more than 12 seconds behind his race-winning Bartel's Harley-Davidson teammate.  O'Hara now leads the points race 83-77 over teammate Barnes. Next Up The exciting AMA Pro Road Racing title fights will resume in mere days as the paddock immediately picks up and heads to the scenic Road America circuit in Elkhart Lake, WI for Round 5 this weekend, June 1-3.

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