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Trackers web site. This page is dedicated to
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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (September 1, 2024) –
The Springfield Mile I & II presented by Drag Specialties lived up
to its billing as one of the most significant events in the series’
modern history as two of the final three rounds of the 2024 Progressive
American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, played out
over the course of a single day at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in
Springfield, Illinois. When the dust settled at the conclusion of the Super Sunday doubleheader, reigning Grand National Champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Rogers Racing/SDI Racing/Indian Motorcycle FTR750) emerged the big winner… again. A day of domination for the all-time great ended with his third Springfield Mile double – this one leaving him just three points away from the immortality granted by a record tenth premier-class crown. Mission AFT SuperTwins Main Event 1 Mission AFT SuperTwins Main Event 1 was a contradictory concoction of unpredictability and inevitability courtesy of the sport’s primary protagonists, Mees and Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT), who made a shock return to action just six weeks removed from surgery to repair a broken femur. Despite hobbling around the paddock on a crutch, Daniels didn’t look to have missed a step once he threw his leg over a racebike. Starting from pole, the Estenson Racing ace mixed it up for the lead with the likes of Mees, Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), and Brandon Price (No. 92 Memphis Shades/Sody Ent/OTBR Yamaha MT-07) for the race lead. But a moment of near catastrophe transpired in still in the contest’s early stages when the still-mending Daniels got well sideways, clipped Price’s rear wheel and then Robinson’s, before being sent up the track and down the order… but most crucially, all while somehow remaining upright. The drama allowed Mees to break the draft and subsequently check out, piling up a monster lead before cruising to a 2.137-second margin of victory at the flag. The win was both his ninth-career victory at the Springfield Mile and his 29th in the Mile discipline overall, tying him with Chris Carr for second on the all-time order. Mees said, “So many people have contributed to our program. My guys worked so hard just to try to fine-tune it all day. And I needed that in the Main. You don’t really get perfect motorcycles every race, but that Main Event, the thing was really, really close to perfect. It was awesome and came together when we needed it.” Rather than cower and fold following his near fall, Daniels clawed his way back up from seventh to third, finishing behind only Mees and fellow charger Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750) to resume his run of podiums at 11. Robinson pulled off a final-lap pass on Price to lock down fourth, limiting the extent of the damage done to his championship chances. While less than ideal, he got off easy compared to fellow title hopeful Briar Bauman (No. 3 Rick Ware Racing/KTM/Parts Plus KTM 790 Duke), who retired from the race and was credited in 19th position. Mission AFT SuperTwins Main Event 2 Minus a second moment of terror for Daniels, the day’s second scheduled Mees disappearing act proved considerably more difficult to execute. While largely controlling the race from the front, Daniels, Bauman, Robinson, and Fisher kept the champion firmly in their sights over the race’s opening half. However, Fisher then faded from the lead pack, destined to ultimately finish fifth behind Price. A short while later, Bauman was removed from the equation as well, forced to pull off a second time due to mechanical issues, leaving only Daniels and Robinson to give chase. With his conditioning left wanting after sitting on the couch for the past month, Daniels eventually had to shift his focus from pursuing Mees to fending off Robinson, which allowed the factory Indian superstar to at last stretch open a bit of padding with a couple minutes to go. The champ stormed past the checkered flag with almost a second-and-a-half in hand, securing his 10th Springfield Mile win and a Carr-surpassing 30th-career Mile victory. Now on the verge of an unprecedented tenth Grand National Championship, Mees said, “Total domination all day. We came in super focused but kind of had some jitters and some nerves, just because the pressure was on me because I’ve done so well in the past. I had the target on my back, but I do well with that. A huge shout out to my entire team.... I wanted to get Indian Motorcycle their last couple wins here, I really did. That burnout was for Indian Motorcycle. I’m so happy they put me on board in 2016 and ‘17 – a phenomenal company to ride for. ”We came into the Springfield Mile needing to do this… We’ve got one more to go, but we have a little bit of cushion now.” Daniels managed to successfully hold off Robinson for second, upping his podium streak to 12 in the process. Robinson, however, did just enough to keep his title hopes alive – if just barely – now 22 points back of the title lead (286-264) with only the finale to go. Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER Main Event 1 Defying pre-race expectations for another of the Parts Unlimited AFT Singles class’ standard ten-plus-rider Mile track pack wars, a four-pilot breakaway featuring title fighters Kody Kopp (No. 1 Rick Ware Racing/Parts Plus KTM 450 SX-F), Chase Saathoff (No. 88 JPG Motorsports Honda CRF450R), and Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), along with savvy vet Chad Cose (No. 49 1st Impressions/Media HT Husqvarna FC450), quickly took shape in the day’s opening Main Event. However, eight minutes of final-lap trial runs and strategic formulations was undone in an instant when a red flag was thrown just as the clocks hit zero. The potential for a pack battle was again on the table with the field bunched back up for a frantic two-lap dash to the checkered flag. But somehow, Saathoff, Drane, Cose, and Kopp instantly shook free yet again, relegating everyone else to an outsized fight for fifth. Saathoff appeared to be in prime position to claim his third straight home-state win when he powered into Turn 3 for the final time with the lead and Drane displaced to third by Cose. Instead, the Australian immediately countered and leapt out of 4 with a near-perfect launch, enabling him to blast by Saathoff at the stripe by 0.048 seconds. Cose held on for third another 0.048 seconds back, followed by championship leader Kopp in fourth. “It was definitely a hard race out there,” Drane said. “There was a big battle at the front, and then that red flag made it real dicey towards the end. I was able to just get through on Chad, which gave me a good run on Chase and was able to get him at the line. I couldn't have done it without my whole Estenson Racing Monster Energy crew; they’ve put in a lot of work, and it paid off.” Miler extraordinaire Shayna Texter-Bauman (No. 52 Rick Ware Racing/Parts Plus KTM 450 SX-F) took full advantage of the race reset to secure her season’s best result by far in fifth. Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Main Event 2 After Cose was forced to line up at the back of the grid for jumping the start and Drane, Saathoff, and Kopp stretched open a healthy gap in less than a lap, Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Main Event 2 seemed destined to be a three-contender affair. Instead, Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) bridged the gap from the second group and then Cose arrived to conclude his torrid climb up the order. The development of a five-rider freight train at the front was not in the plans for Kopp, especially when he was shuffled down to fifth while seeking a finish of second or better in order to clinch the championship early for the third consecutive season. A back-and-forth scrap saw Drane and Saathoff cross the line with two laps to go separated by nothing – 0.000 seconds apart – and Cose, Kopp, and Lowe tucked tight in their tow. The Estenson Racing star moved into the lead to open the final lap while Cose pushed Saathoff down to third. The JPG Motorsports runner responded by overhauling both opponents entering Turn 3. Cose then got completely sideways while holding onto second, allowing Drane and Kopp through as they navigated the final corner. In the decisive sprint to the flag, Drane replicated his Main Event 1 trick to zap Saathoff for the win once again – this time by an even slimmer 0.019 seconds. Meanwhile, Cose edged ahead of Kopp by 0.045 seconds to keep the championship fight a three-rider affair heading into the season finale. Lowe took fifth, less than a second removed from the race win. “That was a really good one,” Drane said. “We had a really good race with me, Chad, and Chase. We were all putting in really good laps and swapping back and forth throughout the race. I got a little bit lucky in that last corner, Chad slipped up a little bit, allowing me to go underneath him and then get Chase to the line.” Despite failing to end this one early, Kopp remains in a very strong position to claim an unprecedented third class crown. With just 25 points left on the table, the Rick Ware Racing star now leads Drane by 22 points (321-299) and Saathoff by 24 (297). |
DAYTONA
BEACH, Fla. (August 11, 2024) – Neither pavement, dirt, rain, nor
restart could prevent JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT)
from putting on yet another exhibition of all-around motorcycle mastery
in Sunday’s Arrowhead Brass Sturgis TT presented by Rick Ware Racing
& The CAT Rental Store, Round 13 of the 2024 Progressive American
Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. While inclement weather pushed the planned proceedings back several hours, the event proved every bit the spectacle that was promised once the world’s elite dirt trackers finally locked handlebars on the unique hybrid racetrack laid out in the Streets of Downtown Sturgis, South Dakota. And while the combination of pavement turns, dirt jumps and switchbacks put the talents of even the greatest Mission AFT SuperTwins riders to the test, world-class dirt tracker/roadracer Beach looked to be in his natural environment. Beach powered into the lead from pole and immediately threatened to sap all tension right from the race’s opening lap. However, despite Beach’s best efforts, reigning Grand National Champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Rogers Racing/SDI Racing/Indian Motorcycle FTR750) managed to inject the Main Event with an abundance of drama soon after. The nine-time series king sank down the order at the light due to a poor launch, getting clipped and nearly taken out by Sammy Halbert (No. 69 OnlyFans/Martin Trucking Yamaha MT-07) as he was swallowed up by the pack. Trapped down in eighth early, Mees threw in a hard overtake on Brandon Price (No. 92 Memphis Shades/Sody Ent/OTBR Yamaha MT-07) entering the dirt section. That attempt resulted in contact, which knocked his opponent over and brought a stop to the race. But the red flag only temporarily delayed Beach’s escape to victory. Peoria TT winner Briar Bauman (No. 3 Rick Ware Racing/KTM/Parts Plus KTM 790 Duke) got away well in second following the restart and hounded Beach for a time, but in time, the Estenson Racing substitute rider systemically eked away, one and two tenths per circulation, before finally working his way to a 1.715-second margin of victory. The triumph was Beach’s second in the week, backing up his Tuesday night win at the Black Hills Half-Mile. It also increased his career TT wins total to nine, equal to Steve Eklund for third all-time and now training only Henry Wiles and Chris Carr. It also saw him set the new standard for wins at the most different TT courses at six. “It’s been a great three rounds, but this round was amazing,” Beach said. “I’ve got to give it up to the whole fansbase. All of the fans were going crazy all day long, and so many people stuck it out despite all the rain. I think this race was awesome. And I’ve got to thank the Estenson Racing Monster team for letting me come out and do these three rounds to fill in for Dallas (Daniels). I’m bummed he’s not here because I know he would have given me a run for my money too, but it’s been a real good three races.” Bauman, meanwhile, held on for second; this despite the late-race charge of Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JMC Motorsports/Fairway Ford Ohio Indian FTR750), who finally earned his first podium of the ‘24 season by finishing third after several near misses along the way. Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750) limped his way to fourth after injuring his foot in the Mission #2Fast#Tasty Challenge, colliding with the wall while harrying Beach for the win. And for all the excitement, Jared Mees (No. 1 Rogers Racing/SDI Racing/Indian Motorcycle FTR750) completed what must be considered a successful evening in fifth, as that result pulled him further clear of second-ranked (and tenth-placed) Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) in the title chase. Meanwhile, Sammy Halbert (No. 69 OnlyFans/Martin Trucking Yamaha MT-07), Max Whale (No. 18 Latus Motors Racing/Liqui Moly Harley-Davidson XG750R), Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Mission Foods/Zanotti Racing Indian FTR750) and Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650) sandwiched between the championship leaders in sixth through ninth, respectively. Mees’ advantage now sits at a healthy 22 points (251-229) with three rounds remaining, with Bauman closing in on second at 224. Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER Kody Kopp (No. 1 Rick Ware Racing/Parts Plus KTM 450 SX-F) did his part in ensuring the historic nature of the Arrowhead Brass Sturgis TT. The double defending class champion earned his first career TT victory at the event, which upped his record-setting tally of wins to 21, completed his quest for a Singles Grand Slam, and moved that much closer to an unprecedented third Parts Unlimited AFT Singles crown. Kopp figured to be in for a serious fight when rival (and experienced roadracer) Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) grabbed the holeshot. But rather than let that become a problem, Kopp executed an aggressive pass as the two transitioned onto the dirt section for the first time. Once through, Kopp simply set sail at the front. Drane might have liked to formulate a plan to strike back at Kopp but was instead forced to worry about what was behind him as a pack of five riders closed in on his rear wheel – a group headed by an on-form Tarren Santero (No. 75 Vinson Construction/P&M Motorcycles Honda CRF450R). Drane and Santero then two carried their fight for second to the checkered flag as Bronson Pearce (No. 132 Scott Cason @ USA Mortgage Honda CRF450R), Chad Cose (No. 49 D&D Cycles/DG79 Husqvarna FC450), and Justin Anselmi (No. 115 Team TDR/Unsettled Racing Yamaha YZ450F) retreated from the podium battle even as Chase Saathoff (No. 88 JPG Motorsports Honda CRF450R) marched his way forward. Saathoff’s climb merely gave him a front-row seat from fourth to witness Santero pull off a final-lap acing of Drane in order secure his first career Progressive AFT podium with a runner-up result. Supermoto specialist Pearce was right at home on the pavement-heavy circuit and it showed with a fifth-place finish just ahead of Cose, who finished sixth while sitting in for former teammate James Ott (No. 19 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450). Rookie Anselmi took seventh followed by another first-year pilot in Evan Renshaw (No. 265 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R). Olin Kissler (No. 40 JCM Construction KTM 450 SX-F) and Jared Lowe (No. 63 BigR/Little Debbie Racing Honda CRF450R) completed the top ten. Kopp’s victory puts him in strong position to lock up a championship early for the third time. He now leads by 34 points over Saathoff and 40 over Drane as the series next heads to Springfield with the #1 plate both on his bike and in his sights. He said, “It’s awesome to get a TT (win) finally. It took a lot of starts and a lot of days on TTs where we were fastest all day and just didn’t finish the job… We’re on track for a third championship and this break coming up is much needed.” |
https://www.cycleworld.com/everett-brashear |
https://www.cycleworld.com/authors/kevin-cameron/https://www.cycleworld.com/flat-track-racing-finer-points |
Link to Ascot Riders ListBuilding A Modern Flat Tracker: The MT-07 DT Story |
https://superbikeplanet.com/story/134 |
http://www.youtube.com/
Jim McMurren
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http://www.youtube.com/
Dan Rouit
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Web Site Facebook |
Don LaRue's Web Site of National Numbershttp://www.amanationalnumber.com |
Old VFT Photos from home page |
I found this photo sequence I took a few years ago of Brandon Bergen at Willow.Photos page |
Lodi - Nite before the MileSammy honored Dominic Colindres, who won last years race,
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2022 Open House Photoshttps://www.facebook.com/ClovisFlatTrack |
2019 Events & Results |
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Mecom Las Vegas Auction January 25 |
Trailblazers Banquet April 7 |
Eddies WCDTS Willow Springs May 4 |
Eddies WCDTS Willow Springs May 5 |
SCFTA Framer Shootout May 10 |
AFT Perris National May 11 |
Lodi Nite Before The Mile August 9 |
AFT Sacramento Mile August 10 |
Sacramento Mile - Sunday Amateur August 11 |
2018 Events & Results |
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Trailblazer Banquet April 7 |
Lake Cachuma British Bike Rally June 1 |
SCFTA Round 2 P.........................erris |
2017 Events & Results |
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Trailblazers Banquet April 22 |
Lodi - Nite Before The Mile May 19 |
Sacramento Mile May 20 |
Dan Rouit Memorial Open House May 21 |
Las Vegas Auction June 1 |
Eddie's British Bike Rally June 2 |
Eddie's WCDTS Willow Springs October 1 |
2016 Events & Results |
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MX'ers at Perris January 24 |
SCFTA Round 1 Perris February 13 |
SCFTA Round 2 Perris March 12 |
Trailblazers Banquet April 23 |
SCFTA Round 3 Perris April 23 |
SCFTA Round 4 Perris May 14 |
SCFTA Round 5 Perris May 15 |
Lodi - Nite Before the mile May 20 |
SCFTA Round 6 Perris June 4 |
SCFTA Round 7 Perris July 16 |
SCFTA Round 8 Perris August 6 |
SCFTA Round 9 Perris September 10 |
WCVDT Willow Springs October 1 |
WCVDT Willow Springs October 2 |
SCFTA Round 10 Perris October 15 |
Old School Scrambles November 20 |
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2015 Events & Results |
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Del Mar Short Track February 14 |
SCFTA Round 1 Perris March 28 |
Trailblazers Banquet April 11 |
SCFTA Round 2 Perris April 18 |
SCFTA Round 4 Perris May 15 |
Cal Expo GNC May 30 |
Cal Expo CFTA Vintage - Amature May 31 |
SCFTA Round 5 Perris June 20 |
SCFTA Round 7 Perris July 25 |
SCFTA Round 8 Perris August 15 |
SCFTA Round 10 Perris October 10 |
SCFTA Round 11 Perris November 14 |
AMA National - Las Vegas November 20 |
Joe Kopp race report from Las Vegas November 20 |
Nicky At Perris February 13 |
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2014 Events & Results |
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SCFTA Round 1 Perris February 15 |
SCFTA Round 3 Perris March 15 |
San Jose Indoor March 29 |
Trailblazers Banquet April 5 |
SCFTA Round 4 Perris April 5th |
SCFTA Round 5 Perris May 17 |
SCFTA Round 7 Perris July 26 |
Cal Expo GNC July 26 |
Castle Rock August 1 |
Castle Rock August 2 |
Castle
Rock
August 2 |
SCFTA Round 8 Perris August 23 |
SCFTA Round 10 Perris October 10 |
Speedway -World Championship October 11 |
SCFTA Round
11 Perris November 8 |