Indy Mile

Another great race, showing how very different lines can work on a deep cushion mile.
But THREE red flags, so pick the bones out of this one.
AMA Pro Flat Track has been unpredictable and exciting this year, but the red flags aren't going to help those who want to get flat track on mainstream TV (the X Games put the sport in front of the masses, but I can't see it happening for the whole season).

Go to fanschoice.tv to watch the 2015 Indy Mile. G

2014 Indy Mile Main

From this Friday night. The race is from around 9 mins to 24. Introducing the riders before, victory lap and podium after. G

Indy Mile Round-Up

Bryan Smith (42) and Shayna Texter (25A) backed up their Sacramento Mile class wins by triumphing at last weekend's Indy Mile.

Brad Baker continued his fantastic run of results with a third, though Smith chewed into his points lead. It now stands at Baker 155, Smith 122.

Mikey Martin qualified for the main on the Bonneville Performance Triumph (featured in Sideburn 11).
Of the 19 bikes that made the main (one rider must have used their Provisional) only 10 were Harley XR750s. Six were Kawasaki 650s. Two were Triumphs and one was Jake Johnson's Ducati.
Kawasaki were first and second.

After a great result at Peoria, Shaun Russell, #28, failed to make the main.

 Pro Singles racer Zakk Palmer styling.

JD Beach, fifth in the Main on a Kawasaki.

Nichole Cheza, 14th in the main.

Henry Wiles came in 7th on the Lloyd Brothers XR750. His new team-mate, Jake Johnson was 11th on the team's Ducati. Stevie Bonsey came in 8th for the Zanotti Harley team that Jake Johnson had recently walked away from.

 Baker and Mees.

1. Smith. 2. Brandon Robinson. 3. Baker.

Next race is the 1.25-mile race at Colonial Downs, Virginia, this weekend.

All photos courtesy of AMA Pro Racing.

Invader?

GI posted this picture from the Indy Mile a few weeks back, but what is the crazy 4-spoke wheel Shawn Baer #32 has on the front of his bike? Looks like an Invader chopper mag! BP

Indy Mile photos

Coolbeth (#2), back on the big bike after breaking his leg earlier in the season. This is practice, in the main he came 5th. 59 is Mile specialist Willie McCoy, he made the main but came in 13th.

Halbert and Coolbeth.

I remember these leathers from a long time ago. Dan Ingram, Steve Bonsey, Jeffrey Carver Jr, Brad Baker.

Bryan Smith led till a restart of the main, then came in 14th.

Matt Weidman, 8th in the main.

Pro singles racers on it. Zakk Palmer (81c) came third in his final.

Dash from Cash for the six fastest qualifiers- Jake Johnson, Bryan Smith, Steve Bonsey, Sammy Halbert, JD Beach, Shawn Baer. It finished Smith, Johnson, Beach.

Briar Baumann on a Kawasaki and...

...so was Bonsey. Out of the 18 bikes in the main, only nine were XR750s. Seven Kawasakis, Henry Wiles' Ducati and Mikey Martin's Bonneville Performance Triumph (featured in SB11).

Crowd!

Reigning champ Johnson had an uncharacteristic crash causing a restart in the final.

How close? Brandon Robinson on the Werner Springsteen Kawasaki led onto the final lap, but Sammy mugged him. Brandon had an horrific crash at Indy a couple of years ago and he so nearly won this one, see below. We interviewed Brandon for issue 1 when he was still an amateur.

Sammy's third national win of the year, but looks who is to his side, Jared Mees bags more big points.

Photos courtesy of AMA Pro Racing

Sammy wins the Indy Mile!

There isn't a dirt track racer we don't like, but there are some we love - Sammy's one of them. More news when I get back from racing at Scunthorpe.

Read about Sammy's technique in SB6. GI

The Night Before The Indy Mile

It's Indy Mile weekend, this weekend and Mike Stuhler (of Stu's Shots) has sent us a message...

There are many events that help to highlight the great weekend of racing in Indy, but one of the most exciting will be happening on Friday, August 17 as Mid-America Speedway , located at the Marion County Fairgrounds, will be hosting their inaugural 'Night Before the Indy Mile' on the beautifully prepared short track venue located on Indianapolis' south east side of town. 

Hosting flat track racing at it's facility since the 2007 season, the local venue will host the stars of AMA Pro Flat Track and some of the riders on the regional and local circuit for what is sure to be a great kick-off to the following night's Lucas Oil Indy Mile held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. For the second year in-a-row, Mid-America will again play host to some of the best racing on wheels in the world as some of the stars of The Rolling Thunder Show in AMA Pro Flat Track will roll into town the night before to contest the Pro 450 Class. 

Riders include: current AMA Grand National Championship points leader Jared Mees #9, Illinois resident and Mid-America regular Rob Pearson #27, Canadian flat tracker Doug Lawrence #73, full- time AMA Road Racer/part-time AMA Flat Tracker JD Beach #95, and Pro Singles riders Zakk Palmer #81C, Ben Knight #85P and Fight for Dirt Track.com's Tyler Porter #28C. 

Gates are scheduled to open at 1:30 PM EDT on Friday, August 17, with rider's meeting scheduled for 4:00 PM and first practice at 4:30 PM. Opening ceremonies and the first heat races are scheduled to roll off at 7:00 PM. Admission for this great event is only $10.00 for ages 10 and up, with children 5-9 only $5.00. 
 For more information, be sure to visit our website at www.midamspeedway.com
 Photo: Mike Stuhler

Indy Mile cancelled

This just in from the AMA...

AMA Pro Racing has been informed by Indy Mile officials that the tragic events of August 13 -- in which an overhead stage-rigging structure collapsed in high winds, killing five and injuring dozens -- has resulted in the cancellation of Round 15 on the AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Flat Track calendar.

"A series of investigations into the causes of the accident have commenced," stated the promoters' release. "The examination of the wreckage is expected to continue for an indefinite period of time. This has forced the closing of the Grandstand and one-mile dirt track to events until the investigation is completed and the debris is removed."

Underdog

SB#7 cover story. The first time in the history of flat track racing that a Kawasaki has won a national Mile race. And Bryan Smith didn't stop his record racing there...BP

The other cool Kawasaki at Indy

From Roger...

This is the other cool Kawasaki at Indianapolis for the mile. This bike belongs to a "keep at it because you love it" kinda racer you always root for. Jason Griffin didn't make the 32 rider field at Indy on his Kawasaki, but that's not the point.
I've seen him at Lima a few times too. The point is that his right arm is missing other than a bit of a stub. The right sleeve of is leathers is sewn shut after about 4 inches. (Read about Jason in Sideburn 4).
What impressed me is just how nice this guy is and what an easy-going manner he has. The pictures are of him with my girlfriend Patty, and two of his bike.
Now look at the bike and imagine how hard it would be to race it only left-handed. I'll even give you the benefit of guessing he's left-handed, as I never thought to ask him. Take your throttle over to the left and operate it simultaneously along with the clutch. That's simple, right? Your only contact point has a grip that turns freely. Let your other arm hang loose, no moving it for balance or leverage. Race (not ride) your 450 into a cushion half-mile turn like Lima at about 80mph, or a mile like Indy where you're over 100! Even when it bucks around, all you get is the one arm to control it while sliding. 10 laps at race speed. Tired yet? Crashing hurts and is expensive and likely dangerous too..
To me, this guy is one cool dude. A racer with enough passion to do it with a huge handicap. And a grin!

Hayden back on the Mile

Amateur video of Nicky Hayden on the Lloyd Brother's Ducati at Indy. Thanks to Tom and Andrew for pointing us in the right direction. G

Indy Mile photos

Crowd pleasers. Springsteen, Smith, Werner. I hope Kawasaki are giving them some love, because the Green Machine aren't getting many high profile wins elsewhere (Though we know Tom Sykes and Ryan Farquhar are doing the business on ZX-10s).
Smith, Carr, Bonsey, Halbert, Johnson. The Dash for Cash. Kopp qualified but didn't start.
Nicky Hayden did demo laps on the Lloyd Brothers Ducati 1000cc framer. He's just put in a request for a Sideburn T-shirt. No shit.
Right, when was the last time a multi-cylinder Kawasaki won a GNC main?
Do anything it takes to tuck in down the straights. 26 Brandan Bergen, 51 Steve Murray.
Carr led the main, but came in (a still great) second.
Matt Weidman on a high line. He finished 9th behind Mees.
Smith and Carr.
Now then, is that Fatty from Des Moines in a prototype FTWCo T-shirt, trucker cap and camo shorts in this AMA crowd shot?
JD Beach won the Pro Singles support race.
Larry Pegram on the other Lloyd Brothers Ducati 1000. Read about this bike in Sideburn 4.
Still got it. Chris Carr won the Dash for Cash from Sammy Halbert.
Kopp was back on the Ducati and came sixth, one place behind title rival Sammy Halbert. Sammy's trailing Smokin Joe in the combined championship, but leading the twins title race. We have a fantastic interview with Sammy in Sideburn 6

Photos: AMA Pro Racing

Poppa Wheelie says...

Sammy Halbert is going to win tonight's Indy Mile.
Poppa Wheelie Blog