Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jorge Lorenzo continued his good run of form at the Italian circuit as he topped the day’s combined timesheets at the third official in-season MotoGP™ at Mugello today ahead of Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner. Read more.
Archive for July 16th, 2012
AMA Superbike racing is lucky to have a photographer of Brian J. Nelson’s caliber covering their events. I saw a lot of photos from Mid-Ohio this past weekend and this is hands down my favorite. The funny thing is, it’s just a simple moment of Yoshimura Suzuki’s Blake Young leaving the pits. Most photographers would not see a photo op here, but Brian made this beautiful shot from a low vantage point using a wide angle lens featuring pillowy clouds as a background. Perfect. Check out Brian’s catalog at www.brianjnelson.com.
Photographer Brian J. Nelson took this unremarkable moment of Blake Young riding out of the pits at Mid-Ohio and turned it into a stunning photograph by getting low and using the clouds as a dramatic background. (Brian J. Nelson photo)
(NEWS RELEASE)
ALL STAR SERIES – PEORIA IL – SHORT TRACK: 15 June; TT: 17 June
Jared Mees on the Lima cushion. (James Grant Photography)
Last year was the first time we went back to the Peoria Speedway. Steve Nace is now running it twice a year, once prior to the All Star Peoria TT and once as warm up to the GNC Peoria TT race in August. It is an exciting, much fun track with a lot of different lines. The track this year was dryer than I have ever seen it, due to the extremely dry conditions in the Central and Eastern part of the country. It was very slippery at the bottom and I got a 2nd in my Heat race to Brandon Robinson. In the Main I got a decent jump and was able to make a few passes but was stuck behind Robinson again until I managed to finally make a pass stick and got a 2nd behind Jeffrey Carver who had checked out–there was no catching him!
On Sunday was the Peoria TT. A lot of rain came down the night before. It was much needed but the question was–was it too much, too fast? The start was delayed as they had to scrape some of the top layer off, leaving us with a great track, one of the smoothest I have seen in a while, very dry. I won my Heat and was sitting on the pole for the Main Event. I got a decent jump, made a pass for the lead and set sail, winning the race by a good margin. It felt good to finally beat some of the guys who have done so well there in the past. I just hope we can do it again at the GNC National.
GNC NATIONAL – LIMA OH – 30 June
Earlier in my career I had a lot of success at this track but seem to struggle at it now. I am not certain why but perhaps it is that we race only one or two a year of this type track, and it seems to take me a while to get going on them. In the first qualifying I felt good, but not in the second after having made some changes. So we changed back. In the Heat I was pushed real wide and got hung up on someone’s pipe and almost went down. I managed to make some passes and got into 4th but could not gain any more ground. For the first time this year I did not make the Dash. We made a lot of changes to the setup for the Main Event. Starting from the second row I got a good jump, charging towards the front, catching up with the leaders. I got close to them and then Sammy Halbert went to the top of the track and passed me and two others ahead of me. I got by Johnny Lewis and then Henry Wiles came up. Then Robinson went down and a red flag came out, with the resulting staggered re-start. I got next to Jake Johnson who was running 3rd, but I could not make a pass stick so I ended up 4th. Not bad considering, but wished I had been at least in the Dash.
ALL STAR SERIES – FREDERICK MD – 4 July
I have been running the Barbara Fritchie Classic now since 2003. This was its 90th straight running race, I believe the oldest event still going for dirt track. I won both of my Heats [Singles and Twins] and had a heck of a battle in the Dash with Sammy Halbert. It was mainly a winner take all so I went for it, and won with some crazy racing between us. In the 450 class Main I made a huge mistake right off the bat and Sammy checked out. In the Twins Main I got the hole shot and was leading when Sammy went down, bringing out the red flag. It bunched us all back up because the track at Frederick is so narrow and tight that 75% of the race depends on the start. We lined up again and I got the jump but Brad Baker got underneath me going into turn 1 after the first lap, pushing me real high. Luke Gough got underneath me also. I was able to run Gough back down and got closer to Baker but with time running out, Baker won and I was 2nd.
ALL STAR SERIES – WINCHESTER VA – 6 July
Last year this race was on the schedule but was rained out. I have never raced here before and found it to be a nice track and facility. Again, it was brutally hot as was Frederick. And the bad news was that it would be hotter still the next day at the National in Hagerstown. This was again both a Singles and Twins event. I won my 450 Heat and felt great. After making a small adjustment, I was dialed. In the 750 I had a tough Heat with both Sammy Halbert and Brad Baker. We had a great race going but Sammy got me at the line by a half a wheel. In the 450 Main Event I got the hole shot and managed to pull out to a great lead and win it. In the 750 Main Event I got a decent jump and had a heck of a race going with four others, ending up in 2nd place after a great race.
GNC – HAGERSTOWN MD – 7 July
This is the one I have been trying to win for years. Since I was a little boy, growing up in Pennsylvania, I have dreamed of Hagerstown. Coming up a little short the last couple of years has been hard. Kenny Coolbeth has been “the man” at Hagerstown. Unfortunately, this year he sat out Hagerstown with a broken leg from the Lima race. As fast qualifier I was sitting on the pole for Heat One. The heat was oppressive—105 degrees, with the heat index at 109 with high humidity. After the sun went down it cooled off a little bit.
In the Heat I got the hole shot, winning the fastest Heat race to sit on the pole for the Main Event.
Next was the Dash. I got off the line second to Jake Johnson and was all over his back, not being able to make a move to get past. I knew our set up was good for the Main Event, I just needed a decent start and to stay cool. I got off the line again second to Jake and on the second lap made my move and went by. I put in some hard, smooth laps and did not look back until I crossed the line with the checkered flag, with my dream win of Hagerstown. It felt great and the bike was awesome. It was a perfect day, did not touch the bike at all except for gas and tire warmer. I can’t thank my “Craig Rogers” owned team enough, especially tuner Brent Ambruster who always has said that Hagerstown was his favorite track. And thank you also to all the supporters, friends and family who came out and who make all this happen.
We have a couple of weeks off, then to Sacramento CA for the next GNC round in Sacramento Ca….. right now I have a 15 point lead in the 2012 AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com Series. I’m hoping to extend that points lead when we get out west!!!
Again, Thank You All!!!! Jared Mees # 9
Singles Series Partners:
Montgomeryville Cycle Center, National Cycle, Lucas Oil, Rogers Racing, Saddlemen, Rod Lake, Bell Helmets, Speed Strength Leathers, KK M/C Supply, Vizzo, Battley, Kelly’s, JE Piston, Cometic , Sunoco,Tsubaki, Motion Pro, TCX Boots, MRT, Troy Lee, K&N, Millennium Technologies, Vortex, Craig Pickett, Works Connection, Rekluse, Gene & Gail Cummings, Eddie Mulder, NGK, Z Gallerie, Dick Winters, Oakley, West Coast Hot Shoes, Jupiter Wheels, EBC, Mikuni, Web Cam, Pro Plates, Kold Kutter, Crank Works, Ezup, Twenty Six Suspension, Digger 57, G2, Penske, Chicken Hawk, Ferrea, Royal Publishing Co, M&Z Anodizing, Universal Coatings, TSS Graphics, Boyesen, Fluidyne, Dyno Jet, CV4, Cycra, DVS Shoes, Techflex, Helix, Gunk, All Balls, Xtremely Fit, Swift Springs,Jim Gilbert, Mototassanari, Astericks, Suspension Direct
Twin Series Partners:
Rogers Racing, Blue Springs H-D, Saddlemen, National Cycle, Montgomeryville Cycle Center, Rod Lake, Bell Helmet, Speed Strength Leathers, KK M/C Supply, Vizzo, Battley, Kelly’s, JE Piston, Cometic, Sunoco,Tsubaki, Motion Pro,TCX Boots, MRT, Troy Lee, K&N, Millennium Technologies, Vortex, Craig Pickett, Works Connection, Rekluse, Gene & Gail Cummings, Eddie Mulder, NGK, Z Gallerie, Dick Winters, Oakley, West Coast Hot Shoes, Jupiter Wheels, EBC, Mikuni, Web Cam, Pro Plates, Kold Kutter, Crank Works, Ezup, Twenty Six Suspension, Digger 57, G2, Penske, Chicken Hawk, Ferrea, Royal Publishing Co, M&Z Anodizing, Universal Coatings, TSS Graphics, Boyesen, Fluidyne, Dyno Jet, CV4, Cycra, DVS Shoes, Techflex, Helix, Gunk, All Balls, Xtremely Fit. Swift Springs, Jim Gilbert, Mototassanari, Astericks, Suspension Direct
You’ve got to love Michael Barnes, still out there at 43 giving riders half his age fits, such as 25-year-old Tyler O’Hara (No. 29) and Kyle Wyman (No. 33), who’s just 22. Congrats to all three riders for an exciting Vance & Hines XR1200 race at Mid-Ohio yesterday.
Veteran Michael Barnes (No. 34) leads Kyle Wyman (No. 33) and Tyler O'Hara (No. 29) in Sunday's Vance & Hines XR1200 final at Mid-Ohio. O'Hara eventually took the victory over Wyman and Barnes. (Larry Lawrence photo)
The Michael Jordan Motorsports (MJM) team celebrated its best weekend of racing so far this season at the double-header AMA Pro National Guard Superbike weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, OH. Read more.
(NEWS RELEASE)
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (July 16, 2012) – MX Sports Pro Racing and Alli Sports, a division of the NBC Sports Group, announced today record-high viewership at the halfway-point of the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. With a robust multi-platform offering, the series has not only increased viewership over the season, but has also drawn in a loyal fan base that crosses broadcast and digital channels to maximize race-day visibility.
The Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship viewership, after the first six races, has increased 67 percent across all platforms. A top performer on the NBC Sports Network, it has also seen great success on NBC, FUEL TV, and AlliSports.com. Notably this season, the series has already achieved status as the second-most-watched program in the history of FUEL TV, an 80-percent increase in live stream starts with over 400,000 for the year, a 300-percent growth in traffic to the series website on Allisports.com, and a 200-percent increase in video views.
“2012 has been a hugely-successful year for us thus far. We really have the most loyal fans in all of sports,” said Davey Coombs, President of MX Sports Pro Racing. “The distribution strategy we created for 2012 is working, providing our audience with the complete sport experience through our multi-platform, multi-channel offering. We have five races to go and are expecting continued success and growth.”
“Motocross has seen tremendous growth over the past few years, but this season viewership is at an all-time high; we’re really hitting our stride and seeing an extraordinary response from the audience across all platforms,” said Wade Martin, President of Alli Sports. “The series has exploded now with a cohesive offering through the NBC Sports Group with programming on NBC and NBC Sports Network, support through NBCSports.com and their streaming technology. We also have seen an increase in promotion across available sports group assets; all together and with FUEL TV, it makes this one of the best offerings to both fans and brands in motorsports and action sports as a whole.”
The Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship continues this weekend in Washougal, Wash., for the Peterson CAT Washougal National and wraps up September 8th in Lake Elsinore, Calif. For a full broadcast listing schedule, visit AlliSports.com/motocross.
Tickets for the remaining rounds of the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship can be found at www.allisports.com.
For additional information please visit AlliSports.com/motocross also, “like” the American Motocross Facebook page, “follow” @AmericanMX on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content and information on the latest Lucas Oil Motocross news and developments.
For media information about the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, please contact MX Sports Pro Racing via email at media@mxsportsproracing.com.
MX Sports Pro Racing
MX Sports Pro Racing manages and produces the world’s most prestigious motocross series – the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. The industry leader in off road powersport event production and management, its mission is to showcase the sport of professional motocross competition at events throughout the United States. Through its various racing properties, partnerships and affiliates, MX Sports Pro Racing organizes events for thousands of action sports athletes each year and attracts millions of motorsports spectators. Visit www.mxsportsproracing.com.
Alli Sports
Alli Sports, is an action sports lifestyle brand whose mission is to connect fans with athletes and brands through best in class events, media, and authentic branded products. Alli Sports includes: the Dew Tour, Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship and the Red Bull Signature Series; Alli Media, which creates, produces, and distributes original content; Alli RideShop, an online retailer carrying top skate and BMX consumer products; and Alli MotoShop an online retailer carrying top moto consumer products. Alli Sports is owned by NBC Sports. More information can be found at www.allisports.com.
AMA Pro Racing
AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing sanctioning body in the United States, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. From its Daytona Beach headquarters, the organization sanctions professional motorcycle racing competition, which includes, AMA Pro Motocross, AMA Pro Road Racing, and AMA Pro Flat Track. Visit www.amaproracing.com.
NBC Sports Group
When the Comcast-NBCUniversal transaction was completed in January of 2011, the broad reach and storied history of NBC Sports united with Comcast’s 24/7 ability to super-serve fans to create the NBC Sports Group. The new sports media company consists of an array of broadcast television, cable television and digital sports assets, including NBC Sports & Olympics, Golf Channel, Versus, 11 SportNets (regional sports networks) and their respective websites. Together, the new combined assets of the NBC Sports Group possess an unparalleled collection of television rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the Olympics, NFL, NHL, PGA TOUR, PGA of America, USGA, IndyCar, Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, Wimbledon, French Open, Tour de France and Kentucky Derby.
FUEL TV
FUEL TV is the only cable and satellite television network that features the exciting world of adrenaline and thrill-seeking sports including UFC, surfing, motocross, snowboarding and more. This new generation of sports provides a rich landscape of some of the most vibrant and action-packed television entertainment in the world. With more hours of UFC coverage than any other network, FUEL TV is the place to be for live fights, weigh-ins, prelims, pre- and post-fight coverage, specials and events you won’t see anywhere else. See why adrenaline sports fans call FUEL TV the channel they never turn off. FUEL TV, part of FOX Sports Media Group, was launched July 1, 2003 and is seen in more than 36 million U.S. homes and can be accessed by broadband, mobile devices and other digital platforms such as iTunes®. FUEL TV programming is available in more than 50 countries around the world with 24/7 channels operating in Australia and Europe. To subscribe to FUEL TV, call 877-4 FUEL-TV. For program times and other information, visit www.fuel.tv.
Lucas Oil Products
Lucas Oil is a worldwide leader in the production of oils, lubricants and additives. Based in Corona, Calif., Lucas Oil Products is one of the fastest-growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry, featuring a premium line of oils, lubricants and problem-solving performance additives. Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil Products has established itself as the top-selling additive line in the American truck-stop industry. Lucas Oil is involved in an array of motorsports sponsorships, including the “Official Motor Oil of the Pro Motocross Championship.” Visit www.LucasOil.com.
(NEWS RELEASE)
M4 Broaster Chicken Suzuki's Dane Westby closed out an outstanding at Mid-Ohio weekend with his fourth-consecutive top-two result. (Larry Lawrence photo)
M4 Broaster Chicken Suzuki’s Dane Westby closed out an outstanding at Mid-Ohio weekend with his fourth-consecutive top-two result.
Westby again battled at the front throughout the once-red-flagged Daytona SportBike showdown, holding down the lead for a number of laps while threatening to log a double win on the weekend. ‘The Wolverine’ just fell off the chase for the checkered flag in the race’s waning stages as he turned his attention to defending second–which he did, by 0.141-second.
Westby’s mid-season surge has allowed him make a serious move in the SportBike title hunt. He’s now a clear second with 247 points thanks to his six podium finishes, including four runner-up finishes and one victory in 2012.
After notching up his Sunday second, Westby said, “We had some problems that we didn’t have yesterday; we changed out the brake pads and I was able to attack in the braking zones a little bit better but we gave it up for some other chatter issues. It was pretty close — that extra bit I was holding back because of the chatter might have been it. But it is what it is. It was a good race. I’d have liked it to be closer like it was yesterday but every race is different. That’s how the cards played today.”
Suzuki SportbikeTrackGear.com’s Elena Myers enjoyed a fantastic outing on Sunday as well. After qualifying 12th and finishing eighth on Sunday, Myers rocketed off the grid in the SuperSport contest’s restart and immediately put herself in top-five contention. Myers scrapped with a fellow 2012 race winner for fourth and came up just 0.126-second short of the spot at the flag, but still reeled in an encouraging fifth-place result.
Meanwhile, M4 Broaster Chicken Suzuki’s Chris Ulrich scooped up his third straight top-10 result in his march to regain the form he showed prior to being seriously injured last season. The past Mid-Ohio Superstock race winner piloted his Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike to 10th on Sunday, equaling his Saturday performance.
Team Venezuela’s Robertino Pietri missed the Sunday race, having returned to his U.S. base in Miami to seek additional medical evaluation of his troublesome left wrist, injured in a violent crash at Road America two rounds ago.
Team Hammer will be back in action in two weeks’ time as the AMA Pro Road Racing series joins the MotoGP World Championship at Laguna Seca on July 27-29.
In 2012, Team Hammer, Inc. is competing in its 32nd consecutive racing season and marks its sixth year of offering technical and logistical support through its Contract Services Department. Riders on Team Hammer-prepared racebikes have earned 53 AMA Pro National race wins; 122 AMA Pro National podium finishes; 4 AMA Pro Championships; 133 Overall National Endurance race wins; 13 National Endurance Championships and assorted other race wins and titles.