Motourage

After a 13-year hiatus, the AMA Pro K&N Filters Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com Series returned to Canterbury Park for the Minnesota Mile. While the track was not perfect, it was much better than the last time the “Rolling Thunder Show” visited Minnesota and it was very good to Harley-Davidson Motor Company’s #2 Kenny Coolbeth.

Pursuing his first Grand National win since Indianapolis of 2009, Coolbeth came from deep in the 18-rider field to capture the 25-lap main by slightly more than three seconds. “We really needed this, we’ve been so close,” said Coolbeth. “When I passed Jared (Mees), I signaled him to get in line so we could run down the leaders, but it didn’t work out. The next thing I knew I was passed (Matt) Weidman and closing on Jake (Johnson). I was following Jake and he started to use my line and I almost hit him, but then I was able to get by and then it was just clear sailing, just stay consistent,” said Coolbeth. “t was hard to see that outside berm and you had to be real careful not to get in too hot.”

At the start, Jake Johnson got the hole shot, and the race looked like it was going to be a two-rider battle as Johnson and Matt Weidman quickly separated themselves from the rest of the field. Weidman was all over Johnson, taking the lead several times, but unable to lead at the finish line.

Coolbeth was reeling in the lead duo and was able to wedge himself into second on lap eleven. Once into second he wasted little time taking the lead and pulling to his first win of the year.

Weidman’s next problem was Rogers Jared Mees, and Mees took third on lap 13. Weidman had Bryan Smith and Chris Carr challenging him after Mees got by.

Henry Wiles was the rider on the move as mechanical problems had knocked him out of a sure heat win and forced him to win the semi to get a third-row start in the main. Wiles was cutting through the field, working his way up from 10th to fourth by lap 22.

Weidman held on for fifth after his brilliant start. Bryan Smith and Chris Carr battled over sixth with Smith edging the seven time Grand National Champion out.

Series points leader Joe Kopp was in the lead pack early, but scraped off his brake pedal on lap two and was forced to ride the tricky race track with no brake. Kopp was leading a huge pack in the battle over eighth place until lap 20 when he broke his chain going into turn one, ending his night.

Johnny Lewis was able to take his Kawasaki to the eighth place finish ahead of Shawn Baer and Jethro Halbert.

Earlier in the night the rejuvenated Chris Carr captured the four-lap Dash for Cash. Carr only led the last few inches of the race as he drafted Jake Johnson at the line.

Johnson’s four points from the Dash moved him to within six points of Joe Kopp and the Grand National points lead.

Johnson’s strong race and then Kopp’s sudden misfortune give Johnson a ten point lead with two races to go. Mees (-19), Wiles (-26), Coolbeth (-34) and Sammy Halbert (-37) all still have a mathematical chance at the title.

Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles Grand National Championship points Jeffery Carver came away with win number five on the season and now holds a 27-point lead over third place finisher and last year’s class champion Brad Baker.

Mike Avila finish second, just one second off the lead. Chaz Springsteen and Corey Crawford filled out the top five.

Canterbury Park, Shakopee, MN
RESULTS: September 11, 2010

AMA PRO MOTORCYCLE-SUPERSTORE.COM PRO SINGLES MAIN (12 laps; 18 riders): 1. Jeffery Carver (Yam); 2. Mike Martin (Hon); 3. Brad Baker (Hon); 4. Chaz Springsteen (Kaw); 5. Corey Crawford (Hon); 6. Conner Anderson (Hon); 7. Gerit Callies (Hon); 8. Michael Toon (Hon); 9. William Cato (Hon); 10. Jake Cunningham (Suz); 11. Wyatt Maguire (Yam); 12. Kurtis Lee (Hon); 13. Justin Minnaert (Kaw); 14. Kevin Walter (KTM); 15. Adam Bushman (Hon); 16. Scott Barrett (Hon); 17. Nicholas Mataya (Yam); 18. Mike Martin (Hon).
Time: 8:30.341

AMA PRO MOTORCYCLE-SUPERSTORE.COM PRO SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP POINT STANDINGS (After 15 of 17 rounds): 1. Jeffery carver (278 pts / 5 wins); 2. Brad Baker (251 / 4 wins); 3. Mike Avila (182); 4. James Rispoli (160); 5. (TIE) JD Beach (4 wins) / Mike Martin (118); 7. (TIE) Chas Springsteen / Mike LaBelle (116); 9. Michael Toon (91 / 2 wins); 10. Jake Shoemaker (90); 11. William Cato (79); 12. Gerit Callies (67); 13. Zakk Palmer (66); 14. Jeremy Hamilton (59); 15. (TIE) Corey Crawford / Shayna Texter (57); 17. Wyatt Maguire (55); 18. Tyler O’Hara (47); 19. Kurtis Lee (38); 20. Brandon Laursen (35).

GNT DASH FOR CASH (4 laps; 6 riders): 1. Chris Carr (H-D); 2. Jake Johnson (H-D); 3. Matt Weidman (H-D); 4. Jared Mees (H-D); 5. Kenny Coolbeth (H-D); 6. Rob Pearson (H-D).
Time: 2:45.440

AMA PRO K&N GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED by MOTORCYCLE-SUPERSTORE.COM MAIN (25 laps; 18 riders): 1. Kenny Coolbeth (H-D); 2. Jake Johnson (H-D); 3. Jared Mees (H-D); 4. Henry Wiles (H-D); 5. Matt Weidman (H-D); 6. Bryan Smith (Kaw); 7. Chris Carr (H-D); 8. Johnny Lewis (Kaw); 9. Shawn Baer (Tri); 10. Jethro Halbert (H-D); 11. Luke Gough (H-D); 12. Jeremy Higgins (KTM); 13. Nichole Cheza (H-D); 14. Mick Kirkness (Suz); 15. Dustin Crow (H-D); 16. Joe Kopp (Duc); 17. Rob Pearson (H-D); 18. Chad Cose (Suz).
Time: 16:57.197

AMA PRO K&N GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED by MOTORCYCLE-SUPERSTORE.COM POINT STANDINGS (After 15 of 17rounds): 1. Jake Johnson (265 pts / 2 wins); 2. Joe Kopp (255 / 3 wins); 3. Jared Mees (246); 4. Henry Wiles (239 / 5 wins); 5. Kenny Coolbeth (231 / 1 win); 6. Sammy Halbert (228 / 1 win); 7. Chris Carr (190); 8. Bryan Smith (177 / 2 wins); 9. Matt Weidman (108); 10. Johnny Lewis (103); 11. Rob Pearson (90); 12. Mick Kirkness (79); 13. Jethro Halbert (77); 14. Stevie Bonsey (69 / 1 win); 15. Luke Gough (46); 16. Brandon Robinson (42); 17. JR Schnabel (41); 18. Shaun Russell (39); 19. Willie McCoy (35); 20. PJ Jacobsen (31).

AMA PRO K&N GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED by MOTORCYCLE-SUPERSTORE.COM TWINS POINT STANDINGS (After 9 of 11 rounds): 1. Jake Johnson (167 pts / 1 win); 2. Kenny Coolbeth (153 / 1 win); 3. Sammy Halbert (147); 4. Jared Mees (146); 5. Joe Kopp (144 / 2 wins); 6. Chris Carr (140); 7. Bryan Smith (125 / 2 wins); 8. Henry Wiles (98 / 1 win); 9. Matt Weidman (73); 10. Rob Pearson (57); 11. Stevie Bonsey (55 / 1 win); 12. (TIE) Mick Kirkness / Luke Gough (39); 14. Johnny Lewis (35); 15. Willie McCoy (33); 16. PJ Jacobsen (31); 17. Jethro Halbert (29); 18. Brandon Robinson (24); 19. JR Schnabel (22); 20. Larry Pegram (17).

2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup champion and current Rockwall Yamaha road racer J.D. Beach is no stranger to the dirt.  He began his flat track career at the ripe old age of four and has his fair share of race wins on the oval to go with those on the tarmac. For 2010, Beach will add three more flat track events to his race calendar.

J.D. Beach on his way to winning Supersport race 1 at VIR. Photo courtesy of Dan Lo, Corner Speed Photo.

Beach has already competed in four AMA Pro K&N Filters Grand National Championship events this year with wins at the new Daytona flat track and the Springfield TT.  In addition to his successful Flat Track activities, Beach recently clinched the AMA Pro SuperSport Young Gun East Divisional Championship by winning for the seventh time in 2010.

Beach will compete in the Pro Singles class at the Peoria TT on Sunday, August 22 and the Indy Mile on Saturday, August 28.  Beach won both of these races in 2009 and is looking forward to his return.  The next big step will be the move from Pro Singles to Expert at the GNC event at the Springfield Short Track and Mile on Labor Day Weekend, September 4-5.

“I would like to win Peoria and especially Indy in the Pro Singles,” said Beach “My goal at the Mile in Springfield is to make the main event and try to finish in the top ten, although a podium would be great.”

Along with 2009 AMA Pro Twins National Champion Jared Mees, Beach will be riding the Rogers-Lake-prepared XR750 Harley-Davidson at Springfield.

This Saturday night the AMA Pro Flat Track K&N Filters Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com heads to the Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima, Ohio for the 2010 edition of the Ohio National Championship.

Last year’s Lima winner Bryan Smith, who rode a Harley-Davidson to his victory at the Fairgrounds, will be switching to the Monster Energy/Werner-Springsteen Racing Kawasaki.  Smith came in second at this year’s Springfield Mile on May 30th, and is still seeking his first win of the 2010 season, currently seventh in the Expert rider point standings.

Can Joe Kopp and his Latus Motors Ducati break Harley's 15-year hold on Lima, Ohio?

2008 Ohio National Championship winner Joe Kopp, who also won aboard a Harley-Davidson last year, will be switching to the Latus Motors/ENI USA R&M/Lloyd Brothers Motorsports Team Ducati.  Kopp won the Arizona Mile at Yavapai Downs earlier this year aboard the team’s Ducati and comes into Lima with 118 points, leading the Expert riders in the Grand National Championship points chase.  Jeff Carver has 118 points in Pro Singles Grand National Championship standings and leads that division.

Top riders from across the country call this race one of the most demanding, fun and exciting races on the series.  The Harley-Davidson XR750 has won 23 of 25 Nationals on the limestone half-mile dirt track, winning 15 consecutive races since 1994.

The Ohio National Championship will mark the seventh event on the 19-race 2010 calendar. Smith will headline a field of former Lima winners including Kopp (’03, ’04), Jared Mees (’05, ’07) and AMA Pro legend Chris Carr (’91, ’99, ’00, ’01). Although Kopp is the current points leader, he is being chased by winners of the last two GNC nationals, Jake Johnson and Henry Wiles, who each have two wins of their own this season.  All of these leading competitors, in addition to three-time Grand National Champion Kenny Coolbeth and Nichole Cheza, are among the top riders coming to Lima.

The series competed most recently at Gas City I-69 Speedway in Gas City, IN on June 19.  “Hammerin” Hank Wiles nipped Mees by .624 seconds at the line, with Kopp finishing third.

Fairground gates open at 3 p.m. local time on June 26. There will be a number of vendor displays on the grounds including Budweiser, Lima Ford, Lima Harley-Davidson, K&N Filters and Memphis Shades.

Timed practice is slated for 3 p.m. with a rider autograph session and open paddock area set for 5:30 p.m. Opening ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. with the official racing program kicking off at 7:30 p.m. local time.  Pro Singles and Expert Singles will battle through nine qualifying races, culminating with the Pro Singles Main, a 12-lap feature, and the Expert Singles Main, a 25-lap showdown, wrapping up the evening of racing.

It has been several years coming, but Joe Kopp gave the Lloyd Brothers Motorsports Team their first AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship victory at the Budweiser Arizona Mile.

The first-time event was full of firsts. The first win for Ducati, the first BMW in a Flat Track National since 1954 and the first Kawasaki since 1975 to make a National Main.

All day long it appeared that Halbert Family/Kings Kustom’s Sammy Halbert was going to pick up where he left off in Daytona as he set fast time in qualifying, won the fastest heat and the five-point, $1,000 Dash for Cash on his Harley-Davidson.

While Kopp had been fast all day, he didn’t give Halbert too much trouble in their heat as he finished second on his Latus Harley-Davidson/ENI R&M-backed Ducati well behind Halbert.

When the National started, Kopp roared to the front as Halbert suddenly looked to be off his game, dropping to third behind Zanotti Racing’s Jake Johnson.

On lap seven Johnson’s race started to unravel as he was passed by Halbert and Lancaster Harley-Davidson/Dallas-Fort Worth Honda’s Chris Carr.

“I realized I had to pick up the pace, I was afraid Joe was going to get away,” said Halbert.

One more lap and Halbert was back in the lead and cruising. Kopp settled into second with Carr in third, but by lap thirteen Carr was under attack as Defending Grand National Twins Champion Jared Mees had his Rogers Lake Racing/Blue Springs Harley-Davidson backed Harley in contention for the last podium spot, taking third on lap fifteen.

Just as suddenly on lap seventeen Kenny Coolbeth pushed his Harley-Davidson Motor Company backed XR-750 around both Carr and Mees, dropping Mees to fifth. Mees was able to regroup, re-pass Carr and just miss making a last-lap pass for third.

While this was a good race the race for the win suddenly heated up. “It looked like Sammy was having some brake problems, but he said not,” said Kopp. “With a couple of laps to go I realized I had a shot. On the last lap I caught him down the back straight, but I thought I better wait for the front straight to pass him. I was just barely able to draft past at the finish line.”

“I let this one get away, it’s a learning experience for me I’ll not let that happen again,” said Halbert. “I should have won this.”

Earlier in the day Rod Lake/Mike Velasco/Brothers Powersport’s Brad Baker had captured the Pro Singles Main as he led the twelve lap race wire to wire.

Yamaha Corp/GTYR/Van’s Yamaha’s Jeffery Carver fought his way into second, but finished four seconds behind Baker.

The race for third was a dandy as Monster Energy/Kawasaki/Werner-Springsteen Racing’s Chaz Springsteen and Priestley Racing/Vadnais Machine’s Corey Crawford ducked it out. Fast Qualifier Crawford was able to come out on top.

RESULTS:

AMA Pro Racing GNC Twins National:
1. Joe Kopp (Duc); 2. Sammy Halbert (H-D); 3. Kenny Coolbeth (H-D); 4. Jared Mees (H-D); 5. Chris Carr (H-D); 6. Jake Johnson (H-D); 7. JR Schnabel (H-D); 8. Rob Pearson (H-D); 9. Don Taylor (H-D); 10. Luke Gough (Suz); 11. Henry Wiles (H-D); 12. Aaron King (Rot); 13. Brandon Robinson (H-D); 14. Mick Kirkness (H-D); 15. Chad Cose (Suz); 16. Nichole Cheza (H-D); 17. Bryan Smith (Kaw); 18. Matt Wait (BMW).

AMA Pro Singles Main:
1. Brad Baker (Hon); 2. Jeffery Carver (Yam); 3. Corey Crawford (Hon); 4. Chaz Springsteen (Kaw); 5. Mike Avila (Hon); 6. Jeremy Hamilton (Hon); 7. Mike LaBelle (Hon); 8. Wyatt Maguire (Yam); 9. Tony Davila (Hon); 10. Jake Cunningham (Suz); 11. Russ Wikle (Hon); 12. Harley Dunn (Hon); 13. Shayna Texter (Hon); 14. Michael Toon (Hon); 15. Mike Martin (Hon); 16. Chris Ponderous (Hon); 17. Kenny Malaguarnero (Hon); 18. Colt Chebultz (Hon).

Round four of the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Singles Championship came to the fabled Peoria Motorcycle Club’s Race Park in Peoria, Ill., for the 61st running of the Peoria TT.

AMA Pro Grand National Singles points leader Henry Wiles (No. 17 Jones Brothers / DPC Racing Kawasaki) has missed a large portion of the season because of off-track injuries, but has won the last four Grand Nationals at Peoria and was ready for a big return to action Sunday.

“I went to the doctor last week and he said my wrists were about 85 percent. I said ‘That should be enough let’s go racing,’” Wiles said.  “I looked at that jump when I first got here and I don’t remember it being that big.  My wrists really hurt, not so much on the landing, but there was just a lot of pain.”

However, most of the pain was inflicted on the other riders, as the Michigan rider once again dominated the 25-lap National. JR Schnabel (No. 33 Memphis Shades / Parts Unlimited Yamaha) grabbed the hole shot and led into Turn 1, but his lead was short lived as Wiles shot between Schnabel and fast qualifier Joe Kopp (No. 3 Lanpheres Beaverton Renton Honda) to take the lead out of Turn 2.

The first lap found Kopp in second with Mick Kirkness (No, 87 Yeager Cycles / Dave Burks Motorsports Suzuki) right on his heels. A major slip by Kopp dropped him to sixth as Schnabel, Kirkness, Shaun Russell (No. 28 Fox Valley Cycles / Rogers Lake Racing Honda) and defending GNC Singles Champion Jake Johnson (No. 1 SuperTrapp / F&S / Saddlemen Honda) were all able to get by.

As Wiles pulled away, Schnabel and Kirkness went to war. Kopp worked his way back up and challenged Russell for fourth, exchanging the position several times before Russell took over for good on Lap 15.

The Schnabel/Kirkness battle allowed Russell to close in, and as Kirkness looked for a way around Schnabel, Russell slipped by on Lap 22 and nailed down his first podium finish of the season.

Kirkness, who hails from Australia, held on for a close fourth-place finish. Kopp dropped four seconds back of that battle and three seconds ahead of Chris Carr (No. 4 Chris Carr Racing / Dallas Fort Worth Honda), the riders taking fifth and sixth, respectively.

Sammy Halbert (No. 43 Woody Kyle Racing / Fredericktown Yamaha) made a late-race pass on Johnson for seventh. Bryan Smith (No. 42 Bill Werner Racing Kawasaki) and Brandan Bergen (No. 26 National Cycle / Reiman’s H-D Honda) rounded out the top ten.

Wiles points lead stands at 14 markers with only the Springfield Short Track, scheduled for September 5, remaining on the schedule.

Round 10 of the Pro Singles Championship was also included in the day’s action and JD Beach (No. 95C Red Bull / Team 95 / America Honda) led the race wire to wire.

Beach’s win didn’t come easy as Jeff Carver (No. 24P Vans / Stevens Racing Yamaha) was all over the multi-discipline racer. Carver was able to get by Beach on several occasions throughout the race, but Beach always regained the lead by the line. The final margin of victory was just 0.181 of a second.

Pro Singles points leader Brad Baker (No. 17M Mike Velasco / Brothers Motorsports Honda) was a solid third, maintaining a five-point lead in the championship hunt over James Rispoli (No. 71B Weirbach Racing Suzuki), who finished fifth behind Kurtis Lee (No. 78J Mom & Dad / George Woods Honda).

Unfortunately, several on-track incidents occurred on the beautiful Sunday afternoon, almost happening in Turn 1. During qualifying, Levi Mayer (No. 33P Bull’s Eye Racing Honda) and Grand National Twins Championship points leader Jared Mees (No. 21 Pro Honda Oils Chemicals Honda) were pitched off in their respective sessions. Adam Bushman (No. 19L Mom & Dad / Redline Cycle / Diamond Industries Honda) also took a spill in a tangle during the start of a heat race. The day of Jesse Janisch (No. 45 Woody Kyle Racing / Mid-Cities Motorsports Honda) also ended in a Turn 1 get together that collected several riders. Mayer, Bushman and Janisch were transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.  Mees took himself to the hospital to get checked out, the slow-moving rider returning before the races were over with no injuries.

RESULTS
August 23 PMC Race Park, Peoria, Ill.

AMA Pro Flat Track Pro Singles Championship: (18 riders / 12 laps) 1. JD Beach (Hon); 2. Jeff Carver (Yam); 3. Brad baker (Hon); 4. Kurtis Lee (Hon); 5. James Rispoli (Suz); 6. Chaz Parker (Hon); 7. Nigel Heggarty (Kaw); 8. Kayl Kolkman (Hon); 9. Lucas Scherb (Hsq); 10. Andrew Smith (Hon); 11. Jacob Hollenbeck (Hon); 12. Corby Scherb (Hon); 13. Brody Miller (Suz); 14. Stephen Vanderkuur (Hon); 15. Kyle Snyder (Kaw); 16. Zach Cassidy (Hon); 17. Randy Kidd (Hon); 18. Andrew Hobson (Hon).
Time: 5:25.963

AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Singles Championship: (18 riders / 25 laps) 1. Henry Wiles (Kaw); 2. JR Schnabel (Yam); 3. Shaun Russell (Hon); 4. Mick Kirkness (Suz); 5. Joe Kopp (Hon); 6. Chris Carr (Hon); 7. Sammy Halbert (Yam); 8. Jake Johnson (Hon); 9. Bryan Smith (Kaw); 10. Brandan Bergen (Hon); 11. Luke Gough (Hon); 12. Kevin Vance (Hon); 13. Jake Mataya (Hon); 14. Kenny Coolbeth (Hon); 15. Aaron King (KTM); 16. Dan Gedeon (Hon); 17. Bryan Bigelow (Hon); 18. Josh Butler (Hon).
Time: 11:04.293