AMA Pro Flat Track Returns to The Santa Rosa Mile after 42-Year Hiatus for Round 14 of the 2012 Season

With four rounds remaining in the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season and just four laps to go in the Springfield Mile II on September 16, five of the top riders in the series and the three at the top of the overall points standings get ready to really let 'er rip at the rain delayed classic at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

With eventual event-winner Bryan Smith #42 out front on the Crosley Radio/Howerton Motorsports powered by Eaken Racing Kawasaki, the four men behind him get ready to play the 'move for position' and 'shuffling of cards' game that is always so prevalent in the greatest sport on wheels in the world of The Rolling Thunder Show.

Eventual runner-up Sammy Halbert gets low and ready on his #7 South East H-D/The South Ass-backed XR750, while defending 2-Time AMA Grand National Champion Jake Johnson tries to position the #1 Zanotti Racing/Schaeffer's H-D XR to set up the draft. 

2-time and defending event-winner Willie McCoy looks to be looking for the inside run into turn 1 on his #59 Harley-Davidson of Wausau/Independence H-D mount, with current points leader Jared Mees hoping to move up as well on the #9 Rogers Racing/Blue-Springs H-D XR750.

In the end, no one was able to get a good enough run on the first-year team of Smith's rocket Kawasaki as he was able to hold off Slammin' Sammy and Jammin' Jared for the top spot on the box.  Jersey Jake and Winkin' Willie got together on the last lap, leaving Jake with a serious tire rub mark on is exhaust as he collected it up to come home 5th while McCoy was able to finish with a strong 7th-place effort.

Other then McCoy, these and many other stars of The Rolling Thunder Show will be heading to the resurrection of the Santa Rosa Mile in Sonoma County this Sunday for the return to the California track that last hosted the stars of AMA Pro Flat Track some 42 seasons ago.  In an event that is surely to bring the fans out in force, the first of three remaining Left Coast events will be without a doubt the place to be if you are a fan of the best racing in the world.

With Mees up in the championship by 12 points over Johnson and another 11 back to Halbert (243-231-220) the time is now for these men to make their moves in settling the final run to the checkers in two weeks' time at the season-finale in Pomona, and Santa Rosa being the last mile event of the year will give the fans on-hand a chance to see the shuffling of the big Twins Series bikes at over 130 mph as they battle in earnest for the return of this great event and the battle for the overall championship.

Stay tuned in the next week as we bring you more about the stars of AMA Pro Flat Track as we have a big announcement to make about the season-finale in Pomona on October 13 and some news about how that last event may play out and be used as a tune-up for the 2013 season.

In the meantime, thanks to AMA Pro Flat Track and Circle Bell Motorsports for the preview and press release below on round 14 of the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season as they roll into Santa Rosa!

Wheel-to-Wheel AMA Pro Flat Track Action Returns to Santa Rosa After 42 Years

Sent on Behalf of Circle Bell Motorsports:

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (September 25, 2012) - After a 42 year absence, the thundering wheel-to-wheel action of AMA Pro Flat Track racing thunders into the Sonoma County Fairgrounds on Sunday afternoon, September 30th.

Run in 1968, 1969 and 1970, the Santa Rosa Mile spotlighted the top level competitors of the time such as Dick Mann, Gary Nixon, Freddie Nix, Chuck Palmgren, Jim Rice and more wrestling BSA, Harley-Davidson and Triumph machines around the track for dominance on the dirt.

In 1968, the late Freddie Nix was the inaugural Santa Rosa Mille winner. Piloting a Harley-Davidson, Nix captured each of the AMA Pro trail's four Grand National Miles to claim the title of "Mile Master".

Factory-level British bikes took the following pair of Santa Rosa Mile Checkers. In 1969, Chuck Palmgren rode a Triumph twin to victory and in 1970, Bay Area resident
 

Jim Rice steered his BSA to first place. Gentleman Jim won six races that year with a mix if TT, Half-Mile and Mile events. His win at Santa Rosa closed out the GNC run at the Fairgrounds.

Now it is back. The rider names are different, the machinery is more sophisticated and the stakes are higher. What is the same is the incredible handlebar-to-handlebar action from start to finish as you watch America's top AMA Pro Grand National Flat Trackers go for the glory.

Boasting the talents of today's stars such as reigning two-time champion (2010 and 2011) Jake Johnson, 2009 champion Jared Mees, three time champion Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. (2006, 2007, 2008), Henry Wiles, Sammy Halbert, Brad Baker, Bryan Smith, Johnny Lewis, Matt Weidman and a host of others leaves no doubt as to the spectacular non-stop action that will be seen. Every rider wants to be the one who takes the Checkered Flag at the return of the Santa Rosa Mile.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jake Johnson #1 leads Jared Mees #9, Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. #2 and the rest of the 18-rider field as they head out of turn 4 on the first lap of the Springfield Mile II on September 16.  The 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com season fires back up this coming weekend on Sunday, September 30 as The Rolling Thunder Show storms into round 14 of the season at the Santa Rosa Mile event, the series' first return to the Sonoma County event in 42 years.  AMA Pro Flat Track photo by Dave Hoenig.

 

More than just a one day affair, this year's Santa Rosa Mile features a full weekend of activity with a number of exciting supporting events. On Friday and Saturday evening, in the Chris Beck Arena at the Fairgrounds, some of the country's best short track competitors will vie for top honors. The North Bay Motorcycle Club will bring their decades of short track expertise to co-promote the District 36 Pro-Am Short Track double header. AMA Pros will join local heroes on Saturday to show who is the best of the best.

On Saturday afternoon from Noon to 4:00 PM, the Santa Rosa Mile will host a special Wine Country Art, Wine, and Pin Stripe Fest. Fans will be able to taste some of the area's best wines, view art from local artists as well as motorsport /motorcycle art. Of special interest will be a selection of outstanding photographs from the Mahony Collection. Featured artist Dan Mahony will be on hand showcasing his photographs and those of his dad, the late Walt Mahony. The Mahony Photo collection contains some of the more iconic photos of the sport. Also on display will be the work of some of California's outstanding pin stripe artists. The art work will be available for purchase. We encourage you to bring your motorcycle, helmet, tank fender or other items to get striped. All proceeds from the Wine Country Art and Wine Fest will benefit the Santa Rosa Express, a local youth running club.

Admission to this special show is just $15 and includes a special Santa Rosa Mile Souvenir glass. Tickets can be ordered on line at www.santarosamile.com.

On Saturday evening at 6:00 pm the Santa Rosa Mile will host a Grand Marshal's dinner honoring Jim Rice, Mark Brelsford, and Jim Odom the Grand Marshals for this years Santa Rosa Mile. Fans will be able to purchase tickets and come and enjoy an excellent catered dinner with the Grand Marshals, some of the Legends of Flat Track, and many of the AMA Pro stars of today's Grand National Championship. Tickets can be ordered on line at www.santarosamile.com and cost $100.

And, then on Sunday, fans will be able to watch the incredible action of the AMA Pro Flat Track riders as they battle for glory.  Round 14 in this year's 16 race tour, the Santa Rosa Mile will be all important to every rider as they go for those all important points.

This is a weekend you won't want to miss. Mark your calendar and make plans now to attend the return of the Santa Rosa Mile.

Tickets are on sale through http://santarosamile.showclix.com, www.santarosamile.com or by calling 707-703-3633.

Sunday Box Seats $65
Prices: Legend Club Seating $60
Grandstand Reserved $50
General Admission $30
Children 5 & under $20 discount on above prices
Youth 6-16 $15 discount on above prices

Weekend Pass Upgrade (includes admission to Mile, plus both nights of short track) - Add $45 to above prices

Short Track Friday night only
Prices: Adult $25 - Youth $10 - Child $5

Saturday night only

Adult $30 - Youth $15 - Child $10

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.  For additional information contact: AMA Pro Racing Communications, (386) 492-1014, communications@amaproracing.com