Rider Files

(NEWS RELEASE)

Ben Spies: Taking It To The Next Level

PHOENIX, Ariz.—In June 2011, just weeks before his 27th birthday, Ben Spies scored his first-ever MotoGP victory at the Dutch TT, riding for the Yamaha factory team. The win marked another milestone in a meteoric racing career—one that began nearly two decades earlier.

Now a new book from David Bull Publishing—whose previous motorcycling titles include a biography of the Hayden brothers and the best-selling Sport Riding Techniques—tells the remarkable story of Ben’s life and career.

In Ben Spies: Taking It To The Next Level, author Larry Lawrence reveals how Ben’s talent, determination, and strong family ties drove his ascent to the highest levels of motorcycle racing. As a longtime motorcycling journalist and photographer, Lawrence had closely followed Ben’s rise through the AMA ranks following his professional debut at age 16. But he also spent months interviewing those closest to the young rider, including his mother, Mary Spies, and his sister, Lisa.

As the book reveals, Spies was a racing prodigy who started winning when he was in second grade. His talent was nurtured by his mother, a single parent who encouraged her children to pursue their dreams. Her support gave Ben the mental toughness to overcome a series of challenges on and away from the track, from the divorce of his parents to the racing death of his closest friend. Ben also suffered a shocking 180-mph crash at Daytona that not only tested his personal courage, but also his family’s resolve.

Ben persevered and ultimately triumphed, winning the first of three straight AMA Superbike Championships in 2006. Three years later, riding for Yamaha, he became the most successful World Superbike rookie of all time, winning a record number of poles—and the championship—on tracks he’d never seen before. In 2010 Ben was promoted to MotoGP with Yamaha’s satellite team, Tech 3, before taking the final step up to the factory squad for the 2011 season.

Along with Lawrence’s insightful text, the book includes hundreds of photographs of Ben in action at the track, and behind the scenes with teammates, friends, and family. It also features a foreword by 1993 Grand Prix Motorcycle Champion Kevin Schwantz.

We’ll be officially launching the book this weekend at the Indianapolis Grand Prix, where Ben will sign copies for fans at the main Yamaha tent. The first signing session will run from 4:10 to 4:40 PM on Friday, August 26, with the second scheduled for the same time on Saturday, August 27.

We’ll also be posting updates and information on our Facebook page, so stay tuned. If you can’t join us there, you can still order a copy now by calling 602-852-9500, or visiting our Web site at www.bullpublishing.com, where you can also learn more about all of our motorcycle and automotive titles.

Ben Spies: Taking It To The Next Level is available through bookstores, specialty motoring booksellers, and directly from the publisher. Orders can be made by calling 602-852-9500 or by visiting the Bull Publishing Web site at www.bullpublishing.com.

Book Details
Title: Ben Spies
Subtitle: Taking It To The Next Level
Author: Larry Lawrence; Foreword by Kevin Schwantz
Format: Softcover, 9” x 11”, 160 pages, 186 black-and-white and color photographs
Retail price: $29.95
ISBN-13: 978-1-935007-15-9

About the Author
Larry Lawrence has been involved in motorcycle racing most of his life, briefly as a competitor and then as a journalist and photographer. Lawrence covered his first race for Cycle News when he was 22 years old and since that time he’s written features in dozens of enthusiast publications and newspapers across the world. In addition to writing about modern-day racing, Lawrence is one of the leading motorcycle racing historians in America. For ten years, starting in 1998, he was the biographer for the Motorcycle Hall of Fame and in that capacity wrote hundreds of bios on the seminal figures in American motorcycling history. He was also a chair for the Hall of Fame Election Committee. Lawrence co-authored AMA Pro Racing media guides during the mid-1990s, and was a contributing editor to the books Heroes of Harley-Davidson and Motocross America. Today Lawrence writes a weekly column in Cycle News called Archives, is a regular contributor to Cycle World, and runs the motorcycle-racing website www.riderfiles.com.

About the Publisher
David Bull Publishing is dedicated to producing the best books on motorsports. Founded in 1995, the company continually wins awards for its work. Author Pete Lyons won both the Motor Press Guild’s Best Book of 2010 and the Dean Batchelor Award for Can-Am Cars in Detail. Other 2010 honors included a Gold Medal in the Independent Publishers IPPY Awards for The Porsche Book, by Jürgen Barth and Gustav Büsing, while Michael Argetsinger’s Mark Donohue: Technical Excellence at Speed received a Gold Medal for biography and was named Best of Books at the International Automotive Media Awards. Please visit www.bullpublishing.com for more information.

Ordering
Ben Spies: Taking It To The Next Level is available through bookstores, specialty motoring booksellers, and directly from the publisher. Orders can be made by calling 602-852-9500 or by visiting the Web site at www.bullpublishing.com.

For orders in the United Kingdom please contact Chris Lloyd Sales & Marketing Services, which distributes David Bull Publishing books, at (0) 1202 649930.

(NEWS RELEASE)

‘IMS After Dark’ also offers motorcyclists evening activities at IMS

INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011 – When the world’s best motorcycle racers come to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Aug. 26-28, one of the most exciting events associated with the Red Bull Indianapolis GP also will return.

Motorcycles on Meridian, a gathering of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts, will take place from 7 p.m.-3 a.m. Friday, Aug. 26 and Saturday, Aug. 27 on South Meridian Street in downtown Indianapolis.

The event is free and open to everyone, riders and non-riders, to experience the motorcycle culture of Indianapolis in a safe, festive environment.

For both nights of the event, South Meridian Street in downtown Indianapolis will be open only to motorcycle traffic and parking between Monument Circle and South Street, providing a perfect opportunity for riders and fans to check out the exciting restaurants and downtown nightlife while soaking up the two-wheeled lifestyle.

All parking garages in the area will be open and accessible to cars only, and ABATE of Indiana will assist motorcyclists with parking and also provide safe rides home for riders if necessary.

In addition, as part of an expanded lineup of evening party, social and music attractions at IMS, public gates will remain open until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the track as part of “IMS After Dark,” creating one of the coolest parties of the year, energized by the style and attitude of Red Bull.

And for the first time, motorcyclists can park their bikes in the center of the action on the new Main Street in the IMS infield, creating the social scene that is a vital part of every rider’s lifestyle. A variety of fun, action-packed activities, including music, motorcycle competition and fashion, will be located along Main Street.

General admission tickets are just $10 Friday and $20 Saturday and include on-track action and “IMS After Dark” activities.

***  

2011 Red Bull Indianapolis GP tickets: 2011 Red Bull Indianapolis GP tickets are on sale now.

To buy tickets, visit www.imstix.com, call the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or visit the ticket office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16^th Street. Ticket office and phone hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday.

The 2011 Red Bull Indianapolis GP is scheduled for Aug. 26-28 at IMS.

Race Day general admission tickets cost $40, with Friday general admission $10 and Saturday general admission $20. A three-day general admission ticket is $60. A Friday-Saturday general admission ticket is $25.

Children ages 12 and under will be admitted free any of the three days of the event when accompanied by an adult with a general admission ticket.

Race Day reserved seat prices will start at $70.

(NEWS RELEASE)

INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011 – Former “American Idol” finalist and Indiana resident Amanda Overmyer will sing the national anthem before the start of the Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Sunday, Aug. 28 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Overmyer made her mark in the seventh season of “American Idol” with a raw, edgy voice reminiscent of a young Janis Joplin. Influenced by music superstars Bob Seger, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Creedence Clearwater Revival, Overmyer won praise on “American Idol”for taking classic rock songs and spinning them into her unique style.

Overmyer, who was a full-time traveling nurse before appearing on “American Idol,”released her first album, “Solidify,”in December 2008. Overmyer owns her recording label, Chile Records, and is well known for being a Harley-Davidson motorcycle enthusiast. She resides in Mulberry, Ind.

***

A-10 ‘Warthog’ jets to perform flyover: Two A-10 Thunderbolt fighter jets from the Indiana Air National Guard 122^nd Fighter Wing in Fort Wayne, Ind., will be the featured aircraft during the national anthem flyover before the Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Sunday, Aug. 28.

A-10s are commonly referred to by their nickname “Warthog,” and have been in service since the early 1970s.

Recognized as the first U.S. Air Force aircraft designed solely for close air support for ground forces, the A-10 takes its official name from the famous P-47 Thunderbolt fighter used during the latter part of World War II, which was also highly effective when used in close air support.

A twin-engine, single-seat aircraft, A-10s played a key role during the Gulf War in 1991 by flying 8,100 sorties and being credited with destroying more than 900 Iraqi tanks, 2,000 military vehicles and 1,200 pieces of artillery.

***

Spies book available: The incredible story of American MotoGP star Ben Spies is told in detail in a new book available from David Bull Publishing, “Ben Spies: Taking It To The Next Level.”

Author Larry Lawrence describes Spies’ entire career, including three consecutive AMA Superbike titles from 2006-08, a World Superbike title in 2009 and MotoGP Rookie of the Year honors in 2010.

Spies, from Longview, Texas, won the Red Bull Indianapolis GP pole in 2010 and earned his first career MotoGP victory in June 2011 in the Netherlands.

The book is available through book stores, specialty motoring booksellers or directly from the publisher at (602) 852-9500 or www.bullpublishing.com.

***

2011 Red Bull Indianapolis GP tickets: 2011 Red Bull Indianapolis GP tickets are on sale now.www.imstix.com, call the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or visit the ticket office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16^th Street. Ticket office and phone hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday.

To buy tickets, visit

The 2011 Red Bull Indianapolis GP is scheduled for Aug. 26-28 at IMS.

Race Day general admission tickets cost $40, with Friday general admission $10 and Saturday general admission $20. A three-day general admission ticket is $60. A Friday-Saturday general admission ticket is $25.

Children ages 12 and under will be admitted free any of the three days of the event when accompanied by an adult with a general admission ticket.

Race Day reserved seat prices will start at $70.

AURORA, Ill. (August 24, 2011) – Feld Motor Sports^® announced that round two of the Miss Monster Energy Cup search is underway at www.MonsterEnergyCup.com. The inaugural Monster Energy Cup takes place on October 15 at Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium.

With only a month left, 15 of the top ranked Monster Energy girls remain. To view the 15 finalists and a two-minute video on why they should elected as the inaugural Miss Monster Energy Cup, log onto www.MonsterEnergyCup.com/missmecup or www.Facebok.com/vegasmecup and ‘like’ the respective video(s) on Facebook to place a vote.

The winner will have the honor of hoisting the 30-second board prior to each race and will greet the Monster Energy Cup’s top riders at the winner’s circle. Fans will also have a chance to meet Miss Monster Energy Cup throughout the day.

The 10-week search started with 21 hopefuls and will be narrowed down to three finalists the final weeks of the hunt. The final three will be required to add a little extra ingenuity to their campaign, which will be entirely up to them. The winner will be chosen at the end of September.

Remaining 15 Monster Energy Girls
Alanna
Allie M.
Brooklyn C.
Katelynn  A.
Jordan N.
Olivia K.
Bradi S.
Gemma-Lee F.
Alysson H.
Becky S.
Sarah M.
Caitlin H.
Jennifer B.
Leslie N.
Jessica H.

Voting information for Miss Monster Energy Cup can be found at www.MonsterEnergyCup.com/Missmecup and www.facebook.com/VegasMECUP. Voting submissions for Miss Monster Energy Cup end the week of September 19, so be sure to get your vote in.

The unique hybrid track will consist of supercross/motocross terrain and will have a tremendous motocross-style influence, making it unlike any other stadium race in the world. This track will be the perfect blend of supercross and motocross combined and created into the ultimate battleground. The Monster Energy Cup posts a $250,000 purse with the winner walking away with a $100,000 check, and for the “first time ever” $1 Million will be paid to a rider that wins all three main events. 

Tickets for the 2011 Monster Energy Cup can be purchased at the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office, UNLVtickets outlets, online at www.UNLVtickets.com, www.MonsterEnergyCup.com or by phone at (702) 739-FANS. Tickets will be available at the Sam Boyd Stadium Box Office on the day of the event only.

About Feld Motor Sports^®
Feld Motor Sports^®, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment.  Feld Motor Sports, Inc. productions include Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam^®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Nuclear Cowboyz℠, and IHRA^® Nitro Jam^®.  Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world’s largest producer of live family entertainment.  For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com.

(NEWS RELEASE)

INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials are encouraging fans to plan ahead for their trip to the Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Sunday, Aug. 28.

IMS officials offer two important recommendations to fans: Plan to leave early for the track, and Gate 2 public vehicle entry off 16^th Street is limited to motorcycles only and available only until the east IMS Hall of Fame Museum lot is full.

Fans also are encouraged to leave early and plan routes accordingly during the entire race weekend due to the major construction project on the west corridor of Interstate 465 in Indianapolis.

Due to construction on I-465 southbound, the eastbound Crawfordsville Road ramp is closed (northbound is open). Also due to construction, 38th Street is restricted to two lanes. Motorists are encouraged to use the eastbound 10th Street ramp from I-465 as the main route to the track.

Similar to this year’s Brickyard 400, IMS will route traffic differently into the facility from 30^th Street than in the past. All westbound traffic will enter Gate 11 and be parked in Lot 7. All eastbound traffic will enter Gate 10 and either be directed to Turn 3 (until it’s full) or into Lot 7.

This change will alleviate congestion and allow nearly twice the amount of traffic to enter the facility at the same time from 30^th Street. This procedure will be in effect for all three days of the Red Bull Indianapolis GP. In addition, the Coke Lot (Lot 1) will be closed for this event.

The Indiana State Police is advising spectators to visit http://www.in.gov/isp/files/Red_Bull_GP_MC_race11.pdf to receive information on the most direct routes to take when arriving and leaving IMS. Spectators are also encouraged to visit ISP’s website at www.in.gov/isp for the latest information on road conditions and construction updates.

On Race Day, public gates open at 7 a.m., and the first race (125cc race) begins at 11 a.m., followed by the Moto2 race at 12:15 p.m., the MotoGP race at 2 p.m. and the AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 race at 3:30 p.m.

***

2011 Red Bull Indianapolis GP tickets: 2011 Red Bull Indianapolis GP tickets are on sale now.www.imstix.com, call the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or visit the ticket office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16^th Street. Ticket office and phone hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday.

To buy tickets, visit

The 2011 Red Bull Indianapolis GP is scheduled for Aug. 26-28 at IMS.

Race Day general admission tickets cost $40, with Friday general admission $10 and Saturday general admission $20. A three-day general admission ticket is $60. A Friday-Saturday general admission ticket is $25.

Children ages 12 and under will be admitted free any of the three days of the event when accompanied by an adult with a general admission ticket.

Race Day reserved seat prices will start at $70.

(NEWS RELEASE)

PEORIA IL SHORT TRACK – ALL STAR SERIES – 19 Aug 2011

Singles and Twins Championships Winner – All Star Series – 2011

Jared Mees closed in on the Grand National Series lead at Peoria.

This was the second time this year at this track. I had always known about it but had never had the chance to race it and now, here we were again. In June I won this race.

In my Heat I got off the line in 2nd place but soon passed Mick Kirkness for the lead and held it. It was the fastest Heat, putting me on the pole for the Main Event. When I won it in June I was riding right around the bottom of the track so I decided to try the same line this time. In the Main I was going to stick to the plan to see if I could get it done down there. I got the hole shot and was leading the race on the bottom. Then, here came Chris Carr and Sammy Halbert, both going around me on the top. So I moved up there. It took me a couple of laps to get the rhythm of the new line, and then started catching up to Chris and Sammy. I got up to them as they were riding each other hard. Finally I was able to stick my nose in there on the last lap, almost getting the lead coming off turn 2, but lost a lot of drive due to wheel spin. I then tried going around the bottom of the track but spun it up again and ended up in 3rd place. It was a great race. Congratulations to Chris for riding really well.

Finishing in 3rd was all I really needed to win the All Star Singles Championship to go with the All Star Twin Championship I had already won earlier, sweeping the All Star Series for 2011. Although there are two Single races left on the schedule, there are not enough points available to alter the outcome.

GALESBURG IL SHORT TRACK – 20 Aug 2011

For the last two years I have done this race but this year was uncertain about coming. Last year we did not get off the track until midnight and by the time we got a bite to eat, and drove to the hotel it was 2:30 am. I had a pretty long and hard week leading up to this weekend, trying to make sure all my equipment was perfect. I prep my Singles bikes all by myself and sometimes, on top of everything else, it gets tough. But at the last minute I decided to go to Galesburg anyway.

I felt awesome in practice but knew the track was going to change–and it did. They do a great job digging it up and trying to keep the track the same. I was in the 2nd Heat and got the hole shot but Chad Cose came up the inside. He and I battled back and forth until he stretched the gap but in the last two laps I brought him back in.

For the Main Event I was on the outside of the front row. I got the hole shot nailed at the light, and led for a couple of laps but then Cose came up. I worked him for a couple of laps and he split. He was making some mistakes and almost went off the bike coming off turn 4, allowing me to gain a lot of ground. As soon as I was going past, Sammy Halbert stuck a wheel in there, letting me know he was coming. I rode defensively the last two laps but on the lst lap Sammy stuck it in there on me, pushing me wide. By no means was this dirty, it was clean, short track aggressive racing and I always give credit where credit is due. He got the best of me that night. A $1400 difference between 1st and 2nd place, so there was a good reason for it.

PEORIA IL – GNC TT – 21 Aug 2011

I had been waiting all week for this race with great anticipation, spending a lot of hours working on my equipment. Just like everyone else, I knew that Henry Wiles was the guy to beat. With 6 straight wins coming into this one, how could he not be?

In the first practice I was fastest. Still, I knew Henry was out there. In the qualifying I was 2nd fastest behind Henry, putting me in the 2nd Heat. This was a tough Heat with Chris Carr, Sammy Halbert, Chad Cose, Matt Burton among others. I got a lousy start, coming off turn 2 in 3rd place. I got past Burton on the front stretch, followed Halbert over the jump and got him down in the front stretch on the next lap. I put in some hard laps but felt I was struggling a bit although I did win the Heat.

For the Dash for Cash we made some changes. I got off the line in 2nd but got past Wiles heading for the jump. I was able to hold off Wiles the entire 4 laps and win the Dash. The points that come with the win were what I needed to help close the gap on the Championship lead.

In the Main Event I knew that if I could get a good start I would be able to give Henry a run for his money. Not sure I could beat him or not, but certainly make him work for it. But I got off 3rd and had to work my way around Sammy, with Henry out front with the hole shot. I got around Halbert and was able to put in some hard laps trying to catch Wiles. I rode as hard as I have ever ridden this year and crept up to Wiles little by little.
With 6 laps to go I was starting to get front-brake-fade. It messed with my confidence going into the corners and I was not able to get up to Henry. He won his 7th straight Peoria TT so a big Congratulations to him and his team!

When I came to the podium you could take my front brake lever and pull it all the way into the handlebar. Not exactly the way it is supposed to work! I was disappointed about that but that is not the reason I was not able to beat Henry. He put in a very solid ride and deserved the win.

Déjà vu from Peoria last year: 2nd again. But I’ll take it.

Thanks to all my fans and friends and sponsors who all together make this happen.

See you all in Springfield!!

Jammin’ Jared Mees – # 9

Photo By: Flattrakfotos

2011 Single Series Sponsors:
Lucas Oil, National Cycle, Rogers Lake Racing, Montgomeryville Cycle Center, Twisted Beverage CompanyTM, Saddlemen, Digger 57, M.E.H. Corp, Rod Lake, Goodwin Racing, Rockysonline .com, Arai Helmets, Speed Strength Leathers, KK Motorcycle Supply, A&A Racing, Steve & Cindy Vizzo, Battley Cycles, MRT Racing, Kelly’s, MTA, JE Pistons, Cometic Gaskets, VP Racing Fuels,Tsubaki, Motion Pro, TCX Boots, Troy Lee Designs, K&N Filters, Millennium Technologies, Vortex, Craig Pickett, Goodridge, Works Connection, RekluseClutches, Gene & Gail Cummings, Eddie Mulder, NGK, Z Gallerie, Dick Winters, Oakley, WestCoast Hot Shoes, Jupiter Wheels, Supertrapp, ARC Levers, Moto Tassinari, EBC, Mikuni, Web Cam, Ancra, J&M Racing Frames, Pro Plates, Kold Kutter, Turn 1 Distributing. Crank Works Crank Shafts, Ez-up, Suburban H-D, Twenty Six Suspension, Flash, G2, Penske Racing, Chicken Hawk, Ferrea Valves, J2 Motorsports, Royal Publishing Co., Applied Diamond Coatings, M&Z Anodizing, Brent Armbruster, CV4, Bristol Core, Universal Coatings, Hammer Head, Hot Rods, TSS Graphics, Dyno Jet, DVS Shoes, Xtremely Fit,

The famous Southwick Motocross National is this Saturday. This is the 35^th anniversary of the first national held at the track in 1976. Dutch sand specialist and Honda factory rider Pierre Karsmakers won that first 250cc national on June 6, 1976, over Tony DiStefano, Brad Lackey, Kent Howerton, Bob Hannah and Danny LaPorte. How’s that for an all-star lineup? Southwick is a huge, power-sapping sandbox. The ruts that form are normally the deepest on the pro tour and I’ve seen many a rider pull off the track before the end of the moto, the rough track getting the better of them. You have to be in supreme shape to win at Southwick and knowing how to ride in deep sand doesn’t hurt. It’s definitely one of the most unique motorcycle racing events in America.

Factory Honda’s Pierre Karsmakers leads Bob Hannah in the first Southwick National in 1976. Karsmakers went on to win the race. It marked his final career AMA Motocross victory. (AMA press photo)