Thursday 10 July 2014

Smith wins in Hagerstown

Bryan Smith broke Harley's decades-long grip on AMA pro half-miles when he won last weekend's Hagerstown half-mile in Maryland. This is his second win of the season, after dominating the Springfield Mile. 
We have an in-depth tech feature on Smith's Crosley Kawasaki ER-6 (same engine, different chassis to this bike) in Sideburn 15
 Jared Mees came in second leads the championship. 
Jake Johnson has Ramspur XR750, Ducati 1000 and Kawasaki to choose from. He picked the Harley for the Maryland race and continued his good run of finishes with a sixth place.
Jake Shoemaker - who made his first main in 2012 - got his best result so far, a third on another Kawasaki. Nine Kawasakis made the main. There was one Triumph - Mikey Martin's, the rest Harleys.
After the cruel luck of breaking down while having a clear lead at Lima, Sammy Halbert came in 5th in the main, one place behind...
 ...Brandon Robinson.
Like Sammy, in the last race, Kenny Coolbeth was in the lead and way ahead when his Zanotti XR750 broke down. A few laps later his teammate, Bonsey's bike expired. Very unusual from this championship-winning team.
Like he did at Springfield, Smith won the Dash too.
Semi action. Johnny Lewis, #10, on the KTM. Mikey Martin, #91, on a Triumph, Steve Murray, #51, on a Harley. Only the Triumph rider made it to the Main.
Henry Wiles overheating on the startline.
Johnson and Halbert.
Smith and Mees.

Next race: Grays Harbor Half-Mile, Elma, WA - July 19.

All photos courtesy of AMA Pro Racing.

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