FHO RACING LAUNCH NEW INITIATIVE TO SUPPORT FEMALE CONTENDERS IN BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITION
FHO Racing are delighted to announce a new collaboration with two female riders in the HEL Performance British Junior Supersport Championship as Team Owner Faye Ho continues to champion for more female representation within the sport.
FHO Racing will work closely with 16-year-old Charlotte Marcuzzo and 17-year-old Scarlett Robinson in the Junior class, offering mentoring and support for the two young contenders, who will run in the team’s recognisable livery.
Charlotte said: “To begin with the new livery we have for this weekend looks amazing and I feel that it is just the start of getting us noticed on track. They are definitely go faster colours so hopefully we can be on the pace straight away and keep moving forward. Faye is really strong and she has already helped with boosting our confidence so I am excited about working together.”
Scarlett said: “This is massive for me and I feel that already we are getting noticed more, especially because of the colour scheme. If this can help to raise our profile more then it will hopefully also mean we can add to our existing partners, who make it possible for us to go racing. I would like to thank Faye for her support and I am looking forward to being associated with FHO Racing.”
Team Principal Faye Ho commented: “I am delighted to announce our new association with Charlotte and Scarlett for the remainder of the season. It was always a huge ambition of mine to become a team owner in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, and to make that dream a reality this season was a huge achievement for me, especially to be the only women currently in that position.
“I wanted to share that experience of succeeding in a goal, and I feel really driven to be an advocate for more women to be recognised within the sport. This new association means that as a race-winning team in Britain’s biggest motorsport championship, we can offer advice and guidance on how to further their careers and really champion women within the sport.
“I am hoping that this new collaboration will also bring a new interest to the project and we are welcoming any brands who would like to be associated in supporting their dream to get in contact.”
Michael Dunlop to replace injured Brandon Paasch at Silverstone
6 September 2021|Latest News
Dynavolt Triumph welcomes Michael Dunlop to the team as stand-in for Brandon Paasch as he undergoes surgery to the scaphoid fracture suffered at Snetterton last weekend.
Dunlop needs no introduction and is no stranger to the PTR run Dynavolt Triumph team having enjoyed success with the team on the road circuits in the past.
Paasch will return to action at the Quattro Group British Supersport Championship round at Oulton Park later this month.
Michael Dunlop: “Really good news to be riding the Dynavolt Triumph at Silverstone. I’ve been watching the bike as it’s progressed this year and the team seem to have done a great job. As a lot of people know I’ve had success with PTR and it will be great to be working with Simon and the boys again. It’s a good opportunity, I’m looking forward to it. Let’s see what we can do, it will be great to see everyone there.”
Dynavolt Triumph Team Manager Simon Buckmaster: “We’ve a good working relationship with Michael, he’s got good feel for a bike and he’s a good supersport rider. He’s really looking forward to it and so am I. It will be great working with him again, we’ve really enjoyed it in the past. Let’s see if we can’t surprise a few people.”
“Brandon has seen a specialist today and he’s having surgery to insert a screw in his fractured wrist later this week. As long as he’s passed fit, and the specialist has given him every indication he will be, he hopes to be back on our bike at Oulton Park. We look forward to that and hope he can continue with his progression and win races before the end of the season.”
AFT Mission SuperTwins Provisional Free Practice 1 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Jared Mees (Ind), 35.942
2. Brandon Robinson (Ind), 35.989
3. Jeffrey Carver Jr. (Ind), 35.989
4. Sammy Halbert (Ind), 36.065
5. Briar Bauman (Ind), 36.068
6. Brandon Price (Ind), 36.190
7. Bronson Bauman (Ind), 36.273
8. JD Beach (Yam), 36.283
9. Robert Pearson (Ind), 36.431
10. Kolby Carlile (Yam), 36.481
11. Davis Fisher (Ind), 36.526
12. Bryan Smith (Ind), 36.663
13. James Rispoli (Har), 36.850
14. Hayden Gillim (Har), 37.232
15. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), 37.927
16. Patrick Buchanan (Ind), 38.461
AFT Production Twins Provisional Free Practice 1 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Dallas Daniels (Yam), 36.632
2. Jesse Janisch (Har), 36.799
3. Chad Cose (Har), 36.804
4. Jeremiah Duffy (Kaw), 36.888
5. Tanner Dean (Kaw), 36.933
6. Morgen Mischler (Har), 37.017
7. Trent Lowe (Kaw), 37.024
8. Ryan Varnes (Kaw), 37.044
9. Dylan Bell (Har), 37.110
10. Patrick Buchanan (Har), 37.124
11. Cory Texter (Yam), 37.190
12. Nick Armstrong (Yam), 37.225
13. David Wiggin (Har), 37.333
14. Danny Eslick (Kaw), 37.339
15. Jordan Harris (Kaw), 37.452
16. Dan Bromley (Yam), 37.475
17. Kevin Stollings (Kaw), 38.478
18. Shelby Miller (Kaw), 38.569
19. Gary Ketchum (Kaw), 38.712
20. Ben Lowe (Yam), 41.391
21. Ryan Wells (KTM), no time recorded
Provisional AFT Production Twins Semi 1 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Dallas Daniels (Yam), 8 laps
2. Jesse Janisch (Har), -00.769 seconds
3. Cory Texter (Yam), -01.707
4. Nick Armstrong (Yam), -03.246
5. Jordan Harris (Kaw), -03.308
6. Ben Lowe (Yam), -03.507
7. Patrick Buchanan (Har), -03.523
8. Danny Eslick (Kaw), -03.743
9. Shelby Miller (Kaw), -11.959
10. Gary Ketchum (Kaw), -13.711
11. Ryan Wells (KTM), -8 laps
Provisional AFT Production Twins Semi 2 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Tanner Dean (Kaw), 8 laps
2. Morgen Mischler (Har), -00.039 seconds
3. Chad Cose (Har), -00.065
4. Jeremiah Duffy (Kaw), -00.207
5. Trent Lowe (Kaw), -01.356
6. Dan Bromley (Yam), -02.836
7. Dylan Bell (Har), -04.792
8. David Wiggin (Har), -08.169
9. Ryan Varnes (Kaw), -6 laps
10. Kevin Stollings (Kaw), -6 laps
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Semi 1 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Sammy Halbert (Ind), 8 laps
2. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), -00.118 seconds
3. Brandon Price (Ind), -00.239
4. Jeffrey Carver Jr. (Ind), -00.408
5. JD Beach (Yam), -01.671
6. Davis Fisher (Ind), -01.697
7. Robert Pearson (Ind), -04.446
8. Hayden Gillim (Har), -06.674
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Semi 2 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Jared Mees (Ind), 8 laps
2. Brandon Robinson (Ind), -00.099 seconds
3. Briar Bauman (Ind), -00.103
4. Bronson Bauman (Ind), -01.715
5. James Rispoli (Har), -03.651
6. Kolby Carlile (Yam), -06.547
7. Bryan Smith (Ind), -06.635
8. Patrick Buchanan (Ind), -09.078
Provisional AFT Production Twins Memphis Shades Babe DeMay Challenge Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Dallas Daniels (Yam), 4 laps
2. Jesse Janisch (Har), -00.025 seconds
3. Morgen Mischler (Har), -00.234
4. Tanner Dean (Kaw), -00.355
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Mission Challenge Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Jared Mees (Ind), 4 laps
2. Sammy Halbert (Ind), -00.038 seconds
3. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), -00.373
4. Brandon Robinson (Ind), -00.443
Provisional AFT Production Twins Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Dallas Daniels (Yam), 18 laps
2. Jesse Janisch (Har), -00.022 seconds
3. Chad Cose (Har), -00.038
4. Cory Texter (Yam), -00.089
5. Morgen Mischler (Har), -01.614
6. Dan Bromley (Yam), -02.658
7. Tanner Dean (Kaw), -03.796
8. Jeremiah Duffy (Kaw), -06.423
9. Kevin Stollings (Kaw), -08.164
10. Danny Eslick (Kaw), -08.259
11. Jordan Harris (Kaw), -08.265
12. Patrick Buchanan (Har), -11.325
13. Trent Lowe (Kaw), -11.379
14. Ben Lowe (Yam), -11.515
15. Dylan Bell (Har), -11.526
16. David Wiggin (Har), -21.239
17. Nick Armstrong (Yam), -4 laps
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Jared Mees (Ind), 25 laps
2. Sammy Halbert (Ind), -01.135 seconds
3. Briar Bauman (Ind), -01.160
4. Brandon Robinson (Ind), -01.226
5. Jeffrey Carver Jr. (Ind), -01.400
6. Davis Fisher (Ind), -03.310
7. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), -03.360
8. Brandon Price (Ind), -03.402
9. JD Beach (Yam), -03.623
10. Kolby Carlile (Yam), -03.779
11. James Rispoli (Har), -04.564
12. Bryan Smith (Ind), -05.460
13. Robert Pearson (Ind), -08.829
14. Patrick Buchanan (Ind), -08.911
15. Hayden Gillim (Har), -10.101
16. Bronson Bauman (Ind), -4 laps
More, from a press release issued by American Flat Track:
Mees and Daniels Sweep Up in Springfield
Jared Mees (9) leads the AFT Mission SuperTwins race at Springfield Mile II. Photo by Scott Hunter, courtesy AFT.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (September 6, 2021) – Jared Mees (No. 9 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) left the field in his wake — twice — on Monday to complete the Progressive American Flat Track Labor Day Weekend sweep in a one-sided Memphis Shades Springfield Mile II presented by Law Tigers at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois.
After being accused of closing down the lines of his rivals during Sunday’s victory, Mees responded by making any such allegations irrelevant on Monday. He immediately shot out into the lead and drove away from a five-rider pack of would-be pursuers, building up an eight-plus-second advantage with just two minutes remaining.
Despite the monster lead, he was forced to prove his Springfield supremacy one more time, when a red flag brought the race to a momentary halt at that point.
While Sammy Halbert (No. 69 Coolbeth-Nila Racing Indian FTR750) managed to slide in front for a few seconds, Mees ultimately reestablished himself out front en route to a 1.134-second margin of victory.
‘20 Springfield Mile winner Halbert came home second while Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle championship leader Briar Bauman (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) finished third — albeit not until after surviving a close call with wild card Jeffrey Carver, Jr. (No. 23 Happy Trails Racing/DPC/Bryan Bigelow Indian FTR750).
Mees’ sixth- and seventh-career Springfield Mile wins worked to tighten up the title fight considerably. Bauman continues to lead, but a once healthy 25-point gap has been reduced to just 12 (254-242) with two more Mees’ friendly Miles directly ahead.
Afterward, Mees said, “After the chatter that Briar had up on the podium last night, I just figured today I’d drop the hammer and really put some distance on them to where I could do whatever I wanted out there. Right before the Main Event, we made a few small changes that ended up being a huge difference. I’ve got the best team out there, and we got the thing hooked up better, running faster, and just smoothed out. It was an incredible weekend for us.”
Third-ranked Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) finished fourth with home-track favorite Carver completing the top five.
Davis Fisher (No. 67 BMC Racing/Dick Wall 60 Indian FTR750) — who was the fastest man on track save Mees at one point — finished sixth, followed by Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), Brandon Price (No. 92 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT), and Kolby Carlile (No. 36 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) to round out the top ten.
AFT Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines
Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07) pulled off the nearly unthinkable Springfield double-double with a heart-pounding victory in Monday’s AFT Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines Main Event.
A hugely entertaining contest saw as many as eight riders still within shot of the victory with two minutes to go. Adding to the entertainment factor was the fact that several different lines were in play, with riders routinely railing corners several riders wide, utilizing extreme low and high lines in search of the fastest way around the high-speed Mile.
The final lap opened with Daniels leading a tight four-rider pack that also included Jesse Janisch (No. 96 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R), Chad Cose (No. 49 Voodoo Ranger/Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R) and Cory Texter (No. 65 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing MT-07).
Janisch threw it up the inside of Daniels entering Turn 3 and held the advantage exiting 4 for the final time. Daniels sucked up in the draft and swung alongside just as Cose and Texter fanned out four-wide in the sprint to the checkered flag.
Daniels just nipped ahead of Janisch by 0.022 seconds, with Cose in third another 0.016 seconds back. Title leader Texter missed the podium in fourth, despite coming up a scant 0.089 seconds short of the victory.
In addition to sweeping both AFT Singles and both AFT Production Twins races this weekend in Springfield, Daniels now owns three wins and one runner-up in four career AFT Production Twins starts. He said, “Before the Main Event, the team told me to move around a little bit. I knew it was going to be a close race — the track got slick and it was multiple line racing…
“It was crazy. I saw Jesse poking a wheel, and I knew exactly what he was going to do. I just sat there and waited. As soon as he came up, I tried to give him a little bit of room and he spun it up. ‘Here it is!’ I just poured that Yamaha stomper power on and blew right by that thing. These Harleys were running awesome. Hats off to Jesse — to come right off the couch and be on the podium at the Springfield Mile is insane.
“It’s awesome to sweep the weekend. It was kind of a rough night at the Short Track and we turned it around. And we kind of turned around the whole season it seems like.”
Morgen Mischler (No. 13 Vance & Hines/Mission Foods Harley-Davidson XG750R) grabbed his fourth top-five of the weekend in fifth, with Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) bouncing back from his Sunday disappointment in sixth.
Despite threatening to break away at the front at one point in the race, Tanner Dean (No. 38 Racing Unlimited Kawasaki/Bel Ray Oils Kawasaki Ninja 650), ended up coming home in seventh.
Texter now leads Bromley by 67 points (249-182), which puts him in prime position to clinch his second AFT Production Twins title next weekend in Sacramento.
The Memphis Shades Springfield Mile I & II presented by Law Tigers will premiere back-to-back on NBCSN on Sunday, September 12, starting at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. The Springfield Short Track Doubleheader will air one week later on NBCSN, starting at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. Both broadcasts will feature exclusive features and cutting-edge aerial drone and onboard footage.
Next Up:
There’s no time to rest as Progressive AFT will immediately travel to another doubleheader at a legendary Mile, the Law Tigers Sacramento Mile I & II presented by Knauf Insulation on Saturday, September 11, and Sunday, September 12. You can order your tickets online now at https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/15860/sacramento-mile. For those viewing from home, live coverage will be available on any device for only $1.99 a month via TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold.
To score the latest gear for the Progressive American Flat Track fan, visit our official merchandise store at https://store.americanflattrack.com.
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Daniels Shines in Springfield
Estenson Racing’s Dallas Daniels came out on top in today’s thrilling AFT Production Twins Springfield Mile II Main Event at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The victory capped off a stellar Labor Day weekend in his home state of Illinois, taking four wins and sweeping both Progressive American Flat Track doubleheaders on the short track and mile. JD Beach and Kolby Carlile scored a pair of top-10 finishes in the Mission SuperTwins class despite limited track time and changing conditions.
With challengers in the mix on day two, the young Daniels showed wisdom beyond his years. Yesterday’s fastest qualifier result carried over to today’s second round, and he lined up on the front row for his Semi. The 18-year-old missed a shift at the start and found himself mid-pack, but he quickly recovered and weaved his way to the front to grab another win. He backed that up with another victory in the thrilling four-lap shootout — the Memphis Shades Babe DeMay Challenge — crossing the line .024 of a second of the competition to take the prize money and his second win of the day.
In the Main Event, Daniels grabbed the holeshot but wasn’t able to make a clean break from the pack. He was shuffled to the runner-up spot early in the race and then searched for different lines to find an advantage. The defending AFT Singles Champion stayed in the top three and took over the lead a couple of laps after the halfway mark. In typical Springfield Mile fashion, it all came down to the final lap and a drag race out of Turn 4 to the finish line. Daniels was passed in Turn 3, but he kept his cool and positioned himself to use the draft and take the win by .022 of a second.
On the SuperTwins side, only one practice session before the Semi race presented challenges with the changing track conditions. Lined up on the third row, Beach got a decent start inside the top 10 and was eighth when the red flag came out, while Carlile came back from 11th to ninth to line up behind his teammate in the staggered restart. The dirt track/road racer got a good start and was sixth but ultimately crossed the line ninth, with Carlile right behind in 10th.
Next up for the Estenson Racing team is another Progressive American Flat Track doubleheader at the legendary Sacramento Mile on September 11-12.
Tommy Hayden – Estenson Racing Team Manager
“We had a pretty good day today here at Springfield on the second day of the doubleheader. Dallas rode really well all day in the Production Twins class. He was fastest in practice, won his Semi, the dash for cash, and then won a really tight one in the Main. Today was a lot different, though, compared to yesterday. It was more of a battle, but he was able to get the best of the other guys coming off of four and squeaked by for the win. That was great for his learning curve to be in a battle like that on a Mile and get some experience with drafting and strategy. I’m definitely happy with what we saw out of him today, and really the whole weekend. To sweep both the races Friday night and then both days in the Production Twins class, that’s really good to see, and we’re really proud of him for that.
“On the SuperTwins side, both guys were pretty close on pace all day. We were just a little off, and there was one spot on the racetrack that we just struggled with a little bit. For the majority of the track, I think we were just as fast as anyone and just off of the pace of the group that was battling for the podium. In the end, they were ninth and 10th, which was not the finish that we wanted, but we definitely made some progress here compared to last year. I think we’ve got some stuff to build on for next week in Sacramento, and hopefully, we can find that little bit that we were missing here.”
Dallas Daniels – Estenson Racing AFT Production Twins and AFT Singles
“It was an amazing weekend here at Springfield! It really couldn’t have gone any better. The track changed quite a bit today; it was a lot smoother because they had a lot of time to work on it. Since I’ve never raced here before this weekend, I didn’t really know what the track was going to do. I talked to the team to see what they thought, and we made some changes for the dash for cash. We were able to get the win, but I was kind of struggling a lot with the feel and the grip.
“So we made some changes and went back out for the Main Event. I was running some different lines and had some guys with me, and I wasn’t pulling away like I was the day before. I was trying not to run on the groove because I thought that’s what I needed to do. Once I finally got into the lead, I went up to the groove and realized that it was actually better. After watching the SuperTwins Main Event, I’m glad I did that because when they were on the groove, they were going faster and faster each lap.
“It was definitely a huge learning experience for me. It was good to have to draft somebody at the line and not just win by a straightaway because I’m not learning anything when it’s like that. So, it was good to have a win pulling away from everyone and then also good to win one at the line. It was a dream weekend here at Springfield. I really needed a weekend like this after Peoria, when we were in a slump, feeling beat up after that big crash and behind on points. It seems like any time we’re behind; we can bounce back. We’re going to take this momentum into Sacramento and try to get my first mile win on a 450.”
JD Beach – Estenson Racing Mission SuperTwins
“The second day at the Springfield Mile is always a toss-up with how the track will be. American Flat Track did a good job smoothing the track out a bit more, and the groove was wide, and we were running pretty high up on the track. The crew did a great job getting the bike dialed in to go racing with the limited track time. Every time we got on track, the bike was better, but we were losing time mid-turn compared to others. In the Main Event, we started rolling pretty well, but I lost the lead pack. Then as the race went on, I started to catch them just a little bit, but after we had that red flag, it was like they found another gear and pulled away. It was a rough day with another ninth-place finish, but we’ll keep working and try again next weekend in Sacramento.”
Kolby Carlile – Estenson Racing Mission SuperTwins
“Today in practice, the track was pretty wet, which didn’t really give us much insight for how it was going to be for the Semi. Then I just couldn’t find grip on the track at all in the Semi; it was really bad for me, honestly. In the Main Event, we had a good jump but it took me a little while to find the line that my bike wanted to run around on. Once I was able to find that line, I had a really good pace and I was able to run down quite a few people in front of me. Before the red flag came out, I was really confident that we were going to catch up and make a couple more passes and try to take a jab at getting to the front pack before the race was over. After the restart, I didn’t get the best jump, so I just did what I could do in the last few laps and was able to get a 10th-place finish. In the end, it was a big improvement from last year and a good weekend overall.”
More, from a press release issued by Indian Motorcycle:
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE WRECKING CREW RIDER JARED MEES SWEEPS SPRINGFIELD MILE DOUBLEHEADER
Back-to-Back Wins Closes Gap Between Mees & Points Leader Briar Bauman, Two-Man Wrecking Crew to Battle for Championship with Three Races Remaining
SPRINGFIELD, ILL. (September 6, 2021) – Indian Motorcycle Racing, presented by Progressive Motorcycle Insurance, carried out its 2021 American Flat Track (AFT) season with back-to-back wins during this weekend’s doubleheader at the Springfield Mile I and II. Ultimately, Indian Motorcycle Wrecking Crew rider Jared Mees swept the weekend and closed the gap with the factory teammate and season’s points leader, Briar Bauman.
During Sunday’s Springfield Mile I, Mees and Bauman battled closely, as the two were neck-and-neck during the final lap. Though it was Mees who edged out Bauman to capture his sixth-career Springfield Mile victory, while Bauman finished second. Indian Motorcycle privateer Brandon Robinson rounded out the podium with his sixth podium of the season.
On Monday, knowing he still had ground to make up on the leaderboard, Mees came out to the Springfield Mile II and dominated the field – ultimately reaching the finish line more a second before Indian Motorcycle privateer Sammy Halbert. The win marked Mees’ seventh-career Springfield Mile win and reignited a championship battle with just three races remaining.
“Anyone who knows Jared or has been following his career knows this was a typical Jared Mees performance. With his back against the ropes, a pair of wins were his best option to keep his championship hopes alive,” said Gary Gray, Vice President Racing, Service & Technology. “That said, I’m sure he didn’t go popping champagne bottles, as he’s quickly moving on to the next and preparing for the final three races of the season.”
Mees, a five-time Grand National Champion who last won in 2018, has his sights set on reclaiming the No. 1 plate. Facing a 12-point deficit, Mees will have his work cut out for him as Bauman, the two-time reigning SuperTwins Champion, has remained consistent all year, as he’s reached the podium in all but two races this season.
The 2021 AFT season will continue Saturday and Sunday, September 11-12, at the Sacramento Mile doubleheader. For more information on Indian Motorcycle Racing, visit IndianMotorcycle.com and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE®
Indian Motorcycle is America’s First Motorcycle Company®. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com.
Anti-clockwise Aragon awaits the return of the 93, Aprilia on a high and Suzuki with a serious recent record
Monday, 06 September 2021
There’s plenty to talk about after the British GP, and the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship now saddles up to head back south to Spain and the stunning MotorLand Aragon. The modern classic nestles like an outpost of speed in an otherwise rural, striking and arid landscape, inviting man and machine to make their mark. And, even more pertinent to previewing the weekend ahead, it’s also an anti-clockwise circuit… and that usually means one thing: Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team).
The eight-time World Champion didn’t cover himself with glory at Silverstone after an early crash that collected Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing), but there was no harm done for either party and the number 93 was quick to apologise. But momentum didn’t mean much for Marc Marquez when the paddock arrived in Germany, another anti-clockwise venue he’s made absolutely his own, with the Honda rider putting his foot down to take that history-making win and get back on the top step regardless. He’s traditionally the fastest man at MotorLand and the progress keeps coming in speed at least… so can he pull another stunner out of the bag despite a slightly tougher run of late than likely expected?
The good news – to add to his record there – is also the form seen from his fellow Honda riders at Silverstone. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) was ill on race day but teammate Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) had one of his best Sundays of the year so far, and Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) most definitely had his best weekend on the whole since joining Honda. Starting from pole, leading for a good while and then coming home in fifth, it was a big step forward for the number 44. And at Aragon? More good reading: Alex Marquez also took his first dry weather podium – and second overall, as a rookie – at MotorLand last season, and Nakagami took a pole, so Honda will be feeling optimistic of a high-scoring weekend in Aragon.
That’s also true of Aprilia. After a season of knocking on the door week-in, week-out, Silverstone finally saw that milestone reached: a first MotoGP™ era podium. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) has impressed for much of the year but his British GP – and last lap battle to hold off Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) – were another impressive performance to underline some serious progress. He also took his previous premier class podium at Aragon, as well as more top finishes as the number 41 always seems to shine at the venue. And this weekend, there’s a headline in the other side of the garage too: Maverick Viñales.
After a rollercoaster few weeks, the Spaniard returns in black and red to take on a new challenge on the RS-GP, debuting early after already having signed for the Noale factory to race there in 2022. And on his test debut at Misano, the laptimes made for very exciting reading. Viñales already has podiums with two manufacturers, and wins… can he start adding more with Aprilia? And where will he slot back into the pack on his RS-GP debut?
Yamaha, meanwhile, remain on the front foot in the title fight. A stunning race from Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) at Silverstone as issues hit for his closest rivals sees him coming into the weekend a whopping 65 points clear, although the Alcañiz venue has never been the best for Yamaha. That may change who stands on the top step, but it can’t change who leads the standings. Quartararo could sit out the next two weekends and still lead the Championship by a minimum of 15 points, so he has some room to ride clever and focus on damage limitation if he needs to. That said, he himself pointed out the huge step forward taken by the Iwata marque in Austria, another track that’s traditionally tougher, so can he flip the form book? Former teammate Franco Morbidelli did do that on one visit to MotorLand last year too…
Cal Crutchlow returns to partner Quartararo at Monster Energy Yamaha and will be looking to keep making progress and taking data, and Jake Dixon will also get another ride out on the Petronas Yamaha SRT machine. After a solid debut at Silverstone, can he build on that? His teammate, Valentino Rossi, also made a good start and after having gone straight to Q2 at Silverstone before late race grip issues saw him drop down the order. Can the Doctor keep that form rolling on his last visit to MotorLand?
Similar happened for Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) at Suzuki, as the reigning World Champion ran out of steam – for steam, read grip – later in the British GP and came home in ninth, staying ahead of Danilo Petrucci (Tech3 Factory Racing) by a whisker. But with Quartararo winning, ninth is what’s left him 65 down on the top – and he’ll be gunning hard to take the opportunity at MotorLand to hit back.
Teammate Alex Rins, meanwhile, had no such trouble. The 2019 winner couldn’t quite stage a repeat but he did take his first podium of the season at Silverstone in second, and guess who won last year on our first visit to MotorLand? The number 42 was sublime and he’ll be heading in on that injection of confidence. In fact, Suzuki will likely be feeling pretty confident all round at Aragon, as they’re the only two riders who were on the podium in both visits to the track last season.
And what of Ducati? At Silverstone it was a more muted run for the Borgo Panigale factory. Miller fought for the podium, Martin fell victim to Marc Marquez’ crash, and both Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) had a tougher race to fade to outside the top ten. Bagnaia conceded it made a chance of the crown an even longer shot too, but until grip trouble hit he’d been fast as ever. And Miller got back in the mix. Can they do so again at a track that’s been traditionally tougher hunting ground? And can Zarco move forward to the postcode he was in for much of the first half of the season?
Last year, we saw KTM have a more difficult first weekend at Aragon followed by a big step forward – with the top Austrian machine beating the top Ducati too, so there’s reason to expect them to fight for more top finishes. At Silverstone Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) put on another stunning Sunday charge to go from 12th to 6th too – and complete the statistic of six factories in the top six for the first time since 1972 – and there were also standouts from Iker Lecuona (Tech3 KTM Factory Racing) and Petrucci as both stormed into the top ten. Will experience from last season help to maintain that now? Binder and Lecuona have now raced at MotorLand twice in MotoGP™, which is something that couldn’t be said of Silverstone.
Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) will be looking for a lot more from MotorLand too. The Portuguese rider was on an absolute charge earlier this season, but since Assen he’s not scored points. With proven talent, speed and smarts, the Portuguese rider will more definitely reappear at the front, but will it be sooner rather than a little later?
This time it’s one assault on Aragon for MotoGP™, and there’s plenty to watch out for. Can Marc Marquez make a stand on home turf? Will Suzuki be the team to beat? Or can Yamaha keep that form book flipped in 2021? Tune in at 14:00 (GMT +2) on Sunday as the lights go out for the Gran Premio TISSOT de Aragon!
4 Francesco Bagnaia – Ducati Lenovo Team – Ducati – 136
5 Jack Miller – Ducati Lenovo Team – Ducati – 118
*Independent Team rider
Moto2™: who will hold the cards at MotorLand?
Home turf for Raul Fernandez, a good venue for Gardner… but it was definitely Lowes’ territory last year, and in 2016
After another statement win at Silverstone – this one from Championship leader Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) – there’s plenty to talk about heading into the Gran Premio TISSOT de Aragon. Gardner’s lead is now 44 points after teammate and closest challenger Raul Fernandez crashed out at Silverstone, but we’re back on the Spaniard’s home turf…
Gardner has a solid recent record at MotorLand though, and with similar positions at the track last year to the form he showed at the 2020 British GP… which turned out pretty well as 2021 Gardner took it on. Raul Fernandez will be fired up to hit back though, and on previous occasions where that’s been true, the rookie sensation has been sensational. When the chips are down, the number 25 finds a way to reply. And he’ll have to start doing so soon given his deficit to the top.
Both Red Bull KTM Ajo riders may, however, have a lot on their plates from Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team). The Brit was the headline act at Aragon last year, taking both wins. It was no flash in the pan either, with another win at MotorLand on his CV from 2016 and a podium in 2015. The Brit has been on solid form lately, and although not quite getting back to his dominant start of the season, Aragon would seem a good place to stage a comeback to the top step.
Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team VR46), meanwhile, bounced back well at Silverstone from a disappointing Austrian GP, up at the front and pushing Gardner all the way. On paper he’s not got the best record at Aragon, with one Moto3™ podium, but last year he did nearly add a victory until a heartbreaker of a late crash. Late meaning final lap late. That will be a bad memory, but his speed prior to it a definite positive one… will he have similar in the locker this season?
Just behind the top four, it’s tighter than ever in the fight for fifth. Aron Canet (Kipin Energy Aspar Team) holds it for now, but only on finishing positions as Augusto Fernandez (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) is equal on points. Canet missed the events last year through injury but took a Moto3™ win the year before, and the Boscoscuro chassis has a good record at MotorLand. Augusto Fernandez will want a step forward from his record at the track though. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) took a podium last year and is only 1 point behind the two, too… can he leapfrog back into the top five?
Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) is also now a serious threat to the top five. The Japanese rookie continues impressing and he has good memories of MotorLand from his first Grand Prix podium in 2019 in Moto3™. And he’s only five points off Canet…
There will also be a debut to watch out for too. John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing) will make his first appearance in Moto2™ at the Aragon GP, moving up to replace Jake Dixon as Dixon remains on the MotoGP™ machine. What can McPhee do on a bigger bike?
Moto2™ leaves us guessing ahead of Aragon, but answering those questions will be another thrill around of one the most technical tracks of the year. Who’ll come out on top? We’ll find out on Sunday at 12:20 (GMT +2)!
Moto2™ Championship top five:
1 Remy Gardner – Red Bull KTM Ajo – Kalex – 231
2 Raul Fernandez – Red Bull KTM Ajo – Kalex – 187
3 Marco Bezzecchi – Sky Racing Team VR46 – Kalex – 179
4 Sam Lowes – Elf Marc VDS Racing Team – Kalex – 127
5 Aron Canet – Kipin Energy Aspar Team – Boscoscuro – 92
Moto3™: can the home heroes hit back at Aragon?
The home contingent gear up to try and take back the momentum at MotorLand
The British Grand Prix belonged to one rider in Moto3™: Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team). The Italian topped every single session, took a second pole in as many weekends and then pulled clear by the finish line to make a serious statement on a tough weekend for the two riders head of him in standings: Championship leader Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team). But now it’s time to saddle up for the Gran Premio TISSOT de Aragon, and that’s home, known turf for the two title fight protagonists so far. So is it a chance for another all-change at the top?
Silverstone seemed a venue likely to prove tougher for rookie sensation Acosta, and so it was. But now we head to MotorLand and his rivals will be especially happy to return to a track where the number 37 has already been on the top step – twice – in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup last season. And having taken some points after an almighty duel with Garcia at Silverstone, the pressure still remains off for Acosta as his lead actually grew to 46 points.
Garcia will be gunning for some revenge after said duel. The number 11 suffered a late shuffle back to just outside the points at Silverstone, and the more familiar turf of Aragon will see him back on his mission to win, win and keep winning… or at least cut the gap as a minimum. Can he showcase the same step forward at Aragon as he has at most venues this season? His teammate could be one to watch too…
After qualifying for the FIM Moto3™ Junior World Championship races at the track last season, Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) found himself outside the top twenty on the grid despite fighting for the title – and as a rookie in the class too. But once the lights went out, the Spaniard fought through the field not once, not twice, but three times in a row to take a goosebumps-inducing three victories from three. Coming into MotorLand off the back of his best Moto3™ finish so far with a fourth at Silverstone, and two fastest laps in a row – new records no less – Guevara will likely be thinking big for Aragon.
The same can probably be said of the rider who just denied Guevara’s rookie podium aspirations last time out, although in a different way: Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing). The Italian was the top Honda once again, and on the rostrum once again, taking some solid points. And with his Leopard machine always impressing on top speed, he’ll be rubbing his hands to take on that long, long back straight at MotorLand and try and take some points back from Fenati as his compatriot pulls clear in the fight for third overall. Fenati is in serious form though, and took a fourth last year.
The fast faces from last season will be gunning for glory too. Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took two wins and will be looking to get back in the fight for the podium, and Darryn Binder (Petronas Sprinta Racing), Ayumu Sasaki (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Kaito Toba (CIP Green Power) all stood on the box at Aragon last year.
Niccolo Antonelli (Avintia VR46 Academy) will be an interesting presence too, with the Italian saying his incredible escape with Fenati at Silverstone helped him fight through the pain barrier. Can he do that again? The likes of Deniz Öncü (Red Bull TKM Tech3), who took eighth on new turf at Silverstone, and Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse), back in the top five in the British GP, will want to play a key role at Aragon too.
There’s also Syarifuddin Azman (Petronas Sprinta Racing) making his Moto3™ debut to keep an eye on, the Malaysian already a race winner in the 2021 FIM Moto3™ Junior World Championship. He’s in for John McPhee, who in turn heads for Moto2™.
Moto3™ will definitely be an interesting one at MotorLand, with the long back straight and plenty to play for. On paper, it’s a venue that should see the likes of Acosta and Garcia bounce back… but Fenati and Foggia will be pushing hard to make it not so. Tune in at 11:00 (GMT +2) for another stunner in the Gran Premio TISSOT de Aragon.
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:
Ten riders set for Title Fighter decider as Mackenzie wins the Pirelli Race of Aces
Tarran Mackenzie celebrated victory in the closest Bennetts British Superbike Championship race finish of the season so far, winning race three at Snetterton by just 0.048s from Tommy Bridewell to secure the Pirelli Race of Aces trophy. The pair have confirmed their Title Fighter status in the Showdown, but with three races remaining next weekend at Silverstone, ten riders remain in contention to land the final four places.
The battle for the Title Fighter position intensified in Norfolk as the pack concertinaed in the standings after today’s two races. Christian Iddon’s fifth place in race three made him the fourth rider to be confirmed for the final three-round Showdown, with Peter Hickman just missing out by a single point as he prepares to cement his position at Silverstone next weekend.
The second race of the weekend was another three-way scrap at the front between the McAMS Yamaha pairing of Jason O’Halloran and Mackenzie, as Oxford Products Racing Ducati’s Bridewell again locked horns with the boys in blue.
O’Halloran upped the stakes after losing out to the pair yesterday, emerging ahead following an intense last lap battle with his two closest rivals.
Bridewell had managed to split the teammates by half race distance after O’Halloran ran wide at Wilson, but the championship leader was soon attacking the Oxford Products Racing Ducati contender to regain the position.
In the closing stages, O’Halloran had taken the lead on lap 13 with a decisive move at Wilson on Mackenzie, but the pair had Bridewell pushing them both until he had a moment at Coram when he caught his knee slider on the grass. He saved a crash, but just lost a few hundredths of a second to the leading pair ahead of the final two laps.
On the penultimate lap, Mackenzie held the lead, but O’Halloran fought back at Brundle to take the position. However, it wasn’t over and on the final lap, Mackenzie regained the advantage on the brakes into Agostini.
O’Halloran was piling on the pressure and made his move at the end of the Bentley Straight, then defended hard to take the chequered flag by 0.305s from Mackenzie, as Bridewell claimed a consistent third place.
A dramatic race three eventually featured the same trio tussling for the podium positions, as Mackenzie dealt his rivals a winning blow in an intense five-lap dash following an earlier red flag, to secure the Pirelli Race of Aces trophy.
When the race got underway, Mackenzie launched to the front of the pack with a lightening start from pole position to lead Gino Rea and O’Halloran into Riches for the first time.
However, championship leader O’Halloran was back ahead of the pack by the end of the opening lap as Bridewell had also pushed Mackenzie down the order into third.
By lap five, Bridewell had seized the advantage at Riches with a decisive move on his McAMS Yamaha rival and he was able to fend off the teammates over the following laps before the race was red flagged on lap nine.
Danny Buchan’s SYNETIQ BMW suffered a technical problem at the end of the Bentley Straight and as a result of losing fluid, he crashed heavily with Lee Jackson and Andrew Irwin also caught up in the incident. Jackson was unable to make the five lap restart due to damage to his FS-3 Racing Kawasaki, which puts him in a precarious position as he remains in eighth overall in the standings.
The race restarted with a five-lap sprint to the chequered flag, but Mackenzie again got the lead off the start ahead of Rea, but the Buildbase Suzuki rider was soon under attack as Bridewell and O’Halloran both moved ahead.
On the second lap, Bridewell launched his bid for the win, taking the lead into Brundle to hold the McAMS Yamaha riders behind him.
Mackenzie was not defeated though; he made a move on Bridewell at Agostini on the penultimate lap to reclaim the lead with the pair going head-to-head on the final lap for the victory.
A mistake from Mackenzie at Nelson wasn’t enough to give Bridewell the opportunity he needed to take the win and just 0.048s separated the pair at the chequered flag with O’Halloran completing the podium line up.
Defending champion Josh Brookes equalled his best result of the season with a fourth and sixth place finish today as he bids to claw back the advantage, with 13-points now separating him from eighth in the standings.
Peter Hickman and Buchan hold fifth and sixth place in the standings after the pair both had a challenging weekend in Norfolk. ‘Hicky’ bounced back from tenth in race two and having to start from the back row of the grid following an issue on the grid in race three, to secure seventh for FHO Racing BMW.
Honda Racing’s Glenn Irwin also endured a difficult weekend, meaning he now has just a seven-point margin over Lee Jackson, with the pair holding the final two positions inside the top eight ahead of next weekend’s crucial three races at Silverstone.
Bradley Ray, Brookes, Ryan Vickers, Rory Skinner, Andrew Irwin and Gino Rea are all outside the coveted top eight, as the focus moves to Silverstone, where the final four riders who will fight for the 2021 crown will be decided next Sunday.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Snetterton, Race 2 result:
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha)
Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +0.305s
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +0.885s
Josh Brookes (VisionTrack Ducati) +2.046s
Gino Rea (Buildbase Suzuki) +2.979s
Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +3.033s
Ryan Vickers (RAF Regular & Reserve Kawasaki) +6.422s
Andrew Irwin (SYNETIQ BMW) +6.473s
Rory Skinner (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +8.972s
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +10.857s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Snetterton, Race 3 result:
Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha)
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +0.048s
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +0.952s
Gino Rea (Buildbase Suzuki) +1.152s
Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) +1.322s
Josh Brookes (VisionTrack Ducati) +1.515s
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +1.790s
Dan Linfoot (TAG Honda) +2.516s
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW) +2.620s
Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW) +4.138s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings after Snetterton:
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 399
Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) 293
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 261
Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) 239
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) 224
Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) 174
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing) 161
Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) 154
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Tarran Mackenzie – McAMS Yamaha
Pirelli Race of Aces winner
“It’s been an amazing weekend and I didn’t expect it after crashing at Cadwell Park. We started really strong in first free practice and the bike felt really nice all weekend and allowed me to ride it how I wanted.
“It was great to win yesterday, I felt like I could have done it again this morning but Jason just got the better of me and then I bounced back with another win in a five lap sprint.
“It was important to get a lot of podium points and to have a successful weekend with one round to go before the Showdown is key.
“We move on to Silverstone now which is a great track for me, I love it there and the way the bike is working at the moment I’m sure we’ll be up the sharp end and battling for wins and podiums.”
AFT Mission SuperTwins Provisional Free Practice 1 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Jared Mees (Ind), 37.018
2. Sammy Halbert (Ind), 37.033
3. Brandon Robinson (Ind), 37.138
4. Bronson Bauman (Ind), 37.256
5. Kolby Carlile (Yam), 37.313
6. Robert Pearson (Ind), 37.483
7. Briar Bauman (Ind), 37.489
8. Bryan Smith (Ind), 37.499
9. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), 37.557
10. Jeffrey Carver Jr. (Ind), 37.579
11. James Rispoli (Har), 37.663
12. Davis Fisher (Ind), 37.916
13. Patrick Buchanan (Ind), 38.017
14. JD Beach (Yam), 38.184
15. Hayden Gillim (Har), 38.711
16. Brandon Price (Ind), 38.783
AFT Production Twins Provisional Free Practice 1 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Ben Lowe (Har), 38.042
2. Dallas Daniels (Yam), 38.368
3. Cory Texter (Yam), 38.406
4. Jeremiah Duffy (Kaw), 38.417
5. Kevin Stollings (Kaw), 38.419
6. Patrick Buchanan (Har), 38.455
7. Ryan Varnes (Kaw), 38.494
8. Jesse Janisch (Har), 38.575
9. Danny Eslick (Kaw), 38.603
10. Dan Bromley (Yam), 38.641
11. Morgen Mischler (Har), 38.682
12. Chad Cose (Har), 38.975
13. Ryan Wells (KTM), 38.987
14. Dylan Bell (Har), 39.013
15. Gary Ketchum (Kaw), 39.255
16. Jordan Harris (Kaw), 39.500
17. Tanner Dean (Kaw), 39.777
18. David Wiggin (Har), 40.324
19. Shelby Miller (Kaw), 40.410
20. Nick Armstrong (Yam), 41.704
21. Trent Lowe (Kaw), no time recorded
AFT Mission SuperTwins Provisional Qualifying 2 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Jeffrey Carver Jr. (Ind), 35.961
2. Brandon Robinson (Ind), 35.964
3. Jared Mees (Ind), 36.048
4. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), 36.070
5. Davis Fisher (Ind), 36.188
6. Kolby Carlile (Yam), 36.189
7. Bronson Bauman (Ind), 36.223
8. Brandon Price (Ind), 36.280
9. Sammy Halbert (Ind), 36.291
10. James Rispoli (Har), 36.302
11. Briar Bauman (Ind), 36.531
12. JD Beach (Yam), 36.571
13. Robert Pearson (Ind), 36.575
14. Patrick Buchanan (Ind), 36.607
15. Bryan Smith (Ind), 36.914
16. Hayden Gillim (Har), 37.028
AFT Production Twins Provisional Qualifying 2 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Dallas Daniels (Yam), 37.123
2. Chad Cose (Har), 37.479
3. Jeremiah Duffy (Kaw), 37.493
4. Ben Lowe (Har), 37.535
5. Patrick Buchanan (Har), 37.535
6. Ryan Varnes (Kaw), 37.547
7. Dan Bromley (Yam), 37.716
8. Danny Eslick (Kaw), 37.815
9. Cory Texter (Yam), 37.835
10. Dylan Bell (Har), 37.877
11. Morgen Mischler (Har), 38.145
12. Jesse Janisch (Har), 38.317
13. Jordan Harris (Kaw), 38.379
14. Kevin Stollings (Kaw), 38.573
15. Tanner Dean (Kaw), 38.606
16. Nick Armstrong (Yam), 38.612
17. Ryan Wells (KTM), 38.785
18. David Wiggin (Har), 38.984
19. Trent Lowe (Kaw), 39.093
20. Gary Ketchum (Kaw), 39.148
21. Shelby Miller (Kaw), 39.576
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Semi 1 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Sammy Halbert (Ind), 8 laps
2. Jared Mees (Ind), -00.067 seconds
3. Briar Bauman (Ind), -00.088
4. Jeffrey Carver Jr. (Ind), -00.135
5. Davis Fisher (Ind), -00.199
6. Bronson Bauman (Ind), -00.226
7. Robert Pearson (Ind), -02.142
8. Bryan Smith (Ind), -03.143
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Semi 2 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Brandon Robinson (Ind), 8 laps
2. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), -00.795 seconds
3. Brandon Price (Ind), -01.158
4. JD Beach (Yam), -02.047
5. Kolby Carlile (Yam), -02.488
6. James Rispoli (Har), -05.830
7. Patrick Buchanan (Ind), -06.207
8. Hayden Gillim (Har), -10.377
Provisional AFT Production Twins Semi 1 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Dallas Daniels (Yam), 8 laps
2. Morgen Mischler (Har), -01.494 seconds
3. Jeremiah Duffy (Kaw), -01.546
4. Cory Texter (Yam), -01.892
5. Tanner Dean (Kaw), -03.318
6. Dan Bromley (Yam), -03.390
7. Ryan Wells (KTM), -04.474
8. Patrick Buchanan (Har), -05.246
9. Trent Lowe (Kaw), -07.078
10. Jordan Harris (Kaw), -07.592
11. Shelby Miller (Kaw), -18.470
Provisional AFT Production Twins Semi 2 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Chad Cose (Har), 8 laps
2. Ryan Varnes (Kaw), -00.828 seconds
3. Jesse Janisch (Har), -00.948
4. Ben Lowe (Har), -01.022
5. Nick Armstrong (Yam), -01.816
6. Kevin Stollings (Kaw), -04.209
7. Danny Eslick (Kaw), -06.627
8. Dylan Bell (Har), -06.747
9. David Wiggin (Har), -08.026
10. Gary Ketchum (Kaw), -15.264
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Mission Challenge Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Jared Mees (Ind), 4 laps
2. Sammy Halbert (Ind), -00.167 seconds
3. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), -00.231
4. Brandon Robinson (Ind), -4 laps
Provisional AFT Production Twins Memphis Shades Babe Demay Challenge Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Dallas Daniels (Yam), 4 laps
2. Chad Cose (Har), -00.476 seconds
3. Morgen Mischler (Har), -00.879
4. Ryan Varnes (Kaw), -02.829
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Jared Mees (Ind), 25 laps
2. Briar Bauman (Ind), -00.116 seconds
3. Brandon Robinson (Ind), -00.322
4. Brandon Price (Ind), -02.670
5. Kolby Carlile (Yam), -09.451
6. Bronson Bauman (Ind), -09.861
7. Davis Fisher (Ind), -09.872
8. Robert Pearson (Ind), -09.916
9. JD Beach (Yam), -27.949
10. Patrick Buchanan (Ind), -28.469
11. Hayden Gillim (Har), -28.526
12. Sammy Halbert (Ind), -4 laps
13. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), -7 laps
14. James Rispoli (Har), -17 laps
15. Jeffrey Carver Jr. (Ind), -23 laps
16. Bryan Smith (Ind), -24 laps
Provisional AFT Production Twins Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Dallas Daniels (Yam), 4 laps
2. Chad Cose (Har), -00.108 seconds
3. Morgen Mischler (Har), -01.133
4. Jesse Janisch (Har), -01.417
5. Jeremiah Duffy (Kaw), -01.600
6. Tanner Dean (Kaw), -01.900
7. Cory Texter (Yam), -02.078
8. Ryan Varnes (Kaw), -02.208
9. Kevin Stollings (Kaw), -02.297
10. Nick Armstrong (Yam), -02.627
11. Jordan Harris (Kaw), -02.898
12. Ben Lowe (Har), -03.040
13. Patrick Buchanan (Har), -03.396
14. Dylan Bell (Har), -03.458
15. Ryan Wells (KTM), -04.321
16. Danny Eslick (Kaw), -05.301
17. Dan Bromley (Yam), -3 laps
More, from a press release issued by American Flat Track:
Mees Wins Sixth Springfield Mile, Daniels Gets His First
Jared Mees (9). Photo by Scott Hunter, courtesy AFT.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (September 5, 2021) – Progressive American Flat Track legend Jared Mees (No. 9 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) overcame a checkered flag challenge from rival Briar Bauman (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) to reign victorious in Sunday’s Memphis Shades Springfield Mile I presented by Law Tigers at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois.
Five minutes into the 14-minute-plus-two-lap Main, an early eight-rider lead group had whittled down to a six-rider pack consisting of Mees, Bauman, Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), Sammy Halbert (No. 69 Coolbeth-Nila Racing Indian FTR750), Brandon Price (No. 92 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), and Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750). It would remain that way for the bulk of the contest.
A final lap showdown between Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle title rivals Mees and Bauman only took shape once the race dipped under the three-minute mark. Vanderkooi was the first to drop out with a mechanical issue. Halbert would follow for the same reason with less than a minute on the clock, while Price simply could no longer hold the pace at that point.
Then Robinson lost touch with the draft as the leaders took the final lap, leaving just Mees and Bauman to determine the victor.
While Mees and Robinson had swapped the lead back and forth throughout much of the race, defending double Mission SuperTwins Champion Bauman showed off a high-low line late that provided him a potential pathway to glory. Indeed, he attempted to replicate it in Turns 3 and 4 on the final lap but came up just inches short of slotting ahead of Mees as they streaked toward the checkered flag.
Mees then held on to win by 0.116 seconds with Robinson rounding out the podium another 0.205 seconds back.
The victory was Mees’ sixth-career Springfield Mile triumph, including four of the last five. Referencing the fact that he and his wife, Nichole, will also serve as the race promoter for the series’ crown jewel event starting in 2022, he said, “I love the Springfield Mile. I figured if I’m gonna own it, I’ve got to win it, right?”
A frustrated Bauman made it clear in Victory Circle that he considered Mees’ tactics unsafe and added that his plan would be to “not get mad, get even” in Monday’s rematch.
Robinson’s teammate, Price, finished fourth with an impressive Kolby Carlile (No. 36 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) collecting his third-career premier-class top-five in what proved to be an attrition-filled Main.
Included in that list of DNFs were high-profile wild cards Jeffrey Carver, Jr. (No. 23 Happy Trails Racing/DPC Racing/Bryan Bigelow Indian FTR750) and Bryan Smith (No. 4 Crosley/Howerton Motorsports Indian FTR750), who were both early retirements.
AFT Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines
Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07) continues to check off items from his boyhood bucket list as he marches his way to Progressive AFT superstardom. The 18-year-old prodigy dominated the Springfield Mile in his first attempt, winning Sunday’s AFT Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines Main Event.
The victory follows his Friday AFT Singles sweep, setting the stage for a possible Springfield quadruple come Monday’s Springfield Mile II. And if that wasn’t enough, Daniels also pocketed an extra $5000 for winning the Memphis Shades Babe DeMay Challenge dash for cash.
Daniels now boasts two wins and a runner-up finish in his three career AFT Production Twins starts.
He said, “I’ve been dreaming a long time just to race the racetrack, let alone win it and break the draft. It was a fairy-tale day — fast qualifier, win the Semi, win the dash, and win the Main Event. It’s insane. I can’t believe I won the Springfield Mile. There’s a lot of bad dudes that have won here, and my name is on the list. Now I want to win it in the big class too.”
Vance & Hines’ talented trio gave chase early before settling into a strong 2-3-4 finish. Second-place went to Morgen Mischler (No. 13 Vance & Hines/Mission Foods Harley-Davidson XG750R), who adopted Daniels’ low line to power away from his temporary teammates, while Chad Cose (No. 49 Voodoo Ranger/Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R) drafted past Jesse Janisch (No. 96 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R) at the line to secure the final spot on the box.
Tanner Dean (No. 38 Racing Unlimited Kawasaki/Bel Ray Oils Kawasaki Ninja 650) inherited fifth after Jeremiah Duffy (No. 42 Sammy O Racing/Geiger Construction Kawasaki Ninja 650) encountered issues, leaving Cose as the only class regular to finish in the top five.
As a result, an uncharacteristic seventh-place finish on the part of Cory Texter (No. 65 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing MT-07) was actually a positive day for his championship campaign, especially with Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 D&D Cycles/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R) still on the mend and Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) suffering a mechanical problem of his own.
Texter is now 59 points up on Gauthier and 65 up on Bromley, making a Monday championship clinch an unlikely-but-not-impossible scenario.
The Memphis Shades Springfield Mile I & II presented by Law Tigers will premiere back-to-back on NBCSN on Sunday, September 12, starting at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. The Springfield Short Track Doubleheader will air one week later on NBCSN, starting at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. Both broadcasts will feature exclusive features and cutting-edge aerial drone and onboard footage.
Next Up:
Progressive AFT’s Labor Day Weekend dirt track extravaganza will conclude on Monday with the final event of the Springfield double-doubleheader, the Memphis Shades Springfield Mile II presented by Law Tigers. To purchase your tickets online, visit https://www.americanflattrack.com/events/2021/view/springfield-mile-i-2021. For those viewing from home, live coverage will be available on any device for only $1.99 a month via TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold.
To score the latest gear for the Progressive American Flat Track fan, visit our official merchandise store at https://store.americanflattrack.com.
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Daniels Tops Production Twins Podium at Springfield Mile Debut
Dallas Daniels (32). Photo courtesy Yamaha.
On the heels of his Friday night Springfield Short Track sweep in the AFT Singles class, Estenson Racing’s Dallas Daniels had a stellar debut on the Springfield Mile aboard his Yamaha MT-07. The defending AFT Singles Champion put on a masterclass performance in the AFT Production Twins class, topping qualifying and winning every race at yesterday’s first round of the Progressive American Flat Track doubleheader on the mile track at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Kolby Carlile led the way for the Mission SuperTwins team with a top-five finish. JD Beach was battling up front early but unfortunately had a technical issue and finished ninth.
The anticipated Springfield Mile doubleheader, originally scheduled for September 4-5, was delayed a day due to weather. Although the sun was shining yesterday, the track crew had a lot of work to do to get it ready for some fast mile racing, so they lost a session. With Sunday’s qualifying results also setting the grid for Monday’s Semi races, Daniels took full advantage and topped the timesheets in the AFT Production Twins class. From there, he took a dominant victory in his Semi to take pole position for the Main Event. He then grabbed another win and a $5000 check in the four-lap Memphis Shades Babe DeMay Challenge.
Daniels got another great start and led every lap but one in the twice-started Main Event, ultimately crossing the line with a 2.45-second margin of victory. The 18-year-old continues to impress with two wins and a podium finish in just three races in the Production Twins class, all of which were different track styles: a Super TT, a Half-Mile, and a Mile.
On the Mission SuperTwins side of the tent, the team continued to make progress. Carlile had a solid qualifying effort in sixth to start on the front row for his Semi where he finished fifth behind his teammate. The team put their heads together and made some changes for the Main Event that paid off. The New Yorker got a great start from the third row and was in the thick of the battle on the opening laps. He settled in and made some mental notes on strategy and then made a late-race surge, going from ninth to sixth with four laps remaining. He put in a final flying lap to cross the line fifth for his third top-five finish this season.
Beach struggled a bit in qualifying, but when it came time to racing, he charged his way to fourth in his Semi. He then got a great start from the second row and battled up front, even taking the lead momentarily as multiple riders jockeyed for position. Unfortunately, a technical issue shuffled him down the order, but he was able to salvage a ninth-place finish in the end.
Estenson Racing hits the track again today for the second round of the Springfield Mile doubleheader at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.
Tommy Hayden – Estenson Racing Team Manager
“We had a pretty good day at the first day on the Mile here in Springfield. Kolby was looking good all day and was pretty competitive in the SuperTwins race. He charged the whole way, and in the last few laps really came on strong and picked three or four guys off and ended up with a top-five finish.
“JD got a great start in the SuperTwins race, and had the lead down the back straightaway on the first lap and then ran in the top three for the first few laps, and then battled with the top five for quite a few laps in the beginning. Unfortunately, he had a technical issue that caused him to fade back and not finish as we hoped.
“Dallas was making his debut on the big track on the twin, and he looked really good and was comfortable from the first lap today. He gained more confidence as the day went on and led pretty much every session and won his Semi, won the Dash for Cash, and then won the Main Event. It was good to see him adapt so well to the Twin on a big track. I’m happy we get to come back tomorrow and get another try at everything. I’m feeling good about making things even better for tomorrow, and we’re looking forward to it.”
Dallas Daniels – Estenson Racing AFT Production Twins and AFT Singles
“It was an amazing day here at the Springfield Mile. I was the fast qualifier, won the Semi, the Babe DeMay Dash for Cash, and the Main Event. It was really awesome to be out on the Springfield Mile for the first time ever. I’ve been coming here for years watching all of the races, but I’ve never raced the track. It was super fun to ride the twin around here, the track’s super fast and so fun to ride. We made a few adjustments throughout the day, but the team unloaded the bike off of the truck, and we were just fast, and the bike was handling really well. So I’m really pumped about that. Again, it was just an amazing day, and we’re hoping to get the win tomorrow and sweep the weekend in Illinois.”
Kolby Carlile – Estenson Racing Mission SuperTwins
“Today turned out really good. We were able to get a fifth in the first session and qualified sixth, which gave us a front-row spot for the Semi. We kind of missed the setup a little bit for the Semi, and I wasn’t able to get it through corners three and four as good as I wanted to, so we put our heads together for the Main Event. From the third row, I got a really good start and was in the thick of it on the first few laps. When things started settling down, I was in the top 10 and then just started moving my way forward. I was able to learn a lot throughout the race, watching other people. When it came time to the end, I knew what I needed to do, and I was able to execute it really well. I put in a burner of a last lap and dropped my pace quite a bit, and I gave myself enough room where they couldn’t draft me to the line. I’m really happy to come away with a fifth-place finish. Last year we struggled here, so to walk away with something like that is amazing. Thanks to the team for putting in a ton of work this week and giving me a really good bike for the race.”
JD Beach – Estenson Racing Mission SuperTwins
“Today was a rough one for us. With the limited track time, it made it important to get the setup quick. Going into the Main, we were feeling good, and it started off really well, and I was battling up front. Then, unfortunately, we had some issues and went backward. It’s not what we were hoping for today, but we have another chance tomorrow.”
More, from a press release issued by Dorna WorldSBK Press Office:
Razgatlioglu battles to hard-fought Race 2 victory in Magny-Cours masterclass
Toprak Razgatlioglu (54). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Sunday, 5 September 2021 12:55 GMT
Toprak Razgatlioglu claimed three wins out of three at the French Round after another hard-fought victory in Race 2 at Magny-Cours
Race 2 for the Motul French Round at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours gave Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) his second win of the weekend to extend his Championship lead over Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK). A race that saw their rivalry ignite was relentless from the start, with the two putting on a spectacular show clear of the opposition.
THREE-WAY FIGHT AT THE FRONT
Razgatlioglu got the better start from pole position and initially held the lead of the race but used a wider line through the long right-hander of Estoril, allowing Rea to sneak up the inside to take the lead. On the run down to Turn 5, Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) wanted to get involved in the lead battle but Razgatlioglu and Rea were able to keep him at arm’s length.
Jonathan Rea (1) leads Toprak Razgatlioglu (54), Scott Redding (45), and Michael van der Mark (60) at Magny-Cours. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Scott Redding (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was running in third from the early stages of the race after jumping up from the second row of the grid as he claimed his first podium of the weekend after a challenging weekend for the British rider. Third place for Redding meant he lost ground in the Championship to leader Razgatlioglu, while Rea also gained on Redding in the standings.
The race-winning move came on Lap 11 after an incredible two laps of battling between Razgatlioglu and Rea with the Turkish star overtaking Rea into the Turn 5 hairpin of Adelaide on Lap 10 before the six-time Champion responded into the Imola chicane. Rea retained the lead of the race for just another lap before Razgatlioglu was able to pass Rea again into Adelaide. The pair battled it out throughout the race before Rea settled for second after making a save in the closing stages of the race.
TAKING HOME A TOP TEN FINISH
Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) claimed fourth place after another strong weekend for the Italian rookie, finishing two seconds behind Redding at the end of the race. Chaz Davies (Team GoEleven) claimed a top five finish for his first since Race 2 at the TT Circuit Assen, with Davies and Alvaro Bautista (Team HRC) both putting pressure on Locatelli for fourth place.
Andrea Locatelli (55) leads Chaz Davies (7), Michael Ruben Rinaldi (21), and Michael van der Mark (60). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was seventh, around two seconds back from Bautista, with Michael van der Mark (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) in eighth. Dutchman van der Mark had been running in the top four but a scary incident with Locatelli on the start-finish straight meant he lost time and positions and was unable to respond to get back to the front of the group. He faced let pressure from Garrett Gerloff (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) for eighth but held on with the American in ninth, with Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) rounding out the top ten.
COMPLETING THE POINTS
Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) continued his strong form with 11th place although the Italian rider did lose time to the group ahead, with Christophe Ponsson (Gil Motor Sport – Yamaha) claiming 12th place for a strong result in front of his home fans. He battled throughout the race with compatriot Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) directly behind Ponsson.
Japanese rookie Kohta Nozane (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) claimed his best result of the French Round with 14th place and two points, with Tito Rabat (Barni Racing Team) completing the points. Rabat had got ahead of the Ponsson-Mahias battle but fell back in the latter stages of the race.
TO NOTE
Jonas Folger (Bonovo MGM Action) claimed 16th place, missing out on a point by just over a second, while Argentinean rider Leandro Mercado (MIE Racing Honda Team) was two seconds back in 17th place. Loris Cresson (OUTDO TPR Team Pedercini Racing) was the last of the classified runners in 18th place.
Despite a strong start to the race, Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) crashed out of the race in the early stages of the race with an accident on the entry of the Nurburgring chicane, with Lowes retiring from the race. Leon Haslam (Team HRC) had an accident at the same corner shortly after, forcing the Honda rider out of the race.
P1 Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK)
“I’m really happy. This weekend, my team did an incredible job. Every race we were able to improve the bike. I’m really happy. I am focused on every race and I am always focused on for the win.”
P2 Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
“Toprak’s pace in the last three or four laps was incredible. It was time for me, like yesterday, to consolidate. I felt like we had a bit better fight today, I could at least put my ZX-10RR where I wanted. It was like going to school. He’s so good in some areas, I was stronger in others, but it’s good information to take away to Barcelona. I really enjoyed that, enjoyed the battle. It got really close in some areas but I had to think about the long game.”
P3 Scott Redding (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
“I was wrestling that bike for 21 laps. It’s not an easy track for the Ducati as we saw this weekend. I didn’t give up the fight. We had a tough Superpole, tough Race 1 but I really tried hard. I said to the guys today that if we could get the front two rows in the Superpole Race and then a podium, I’ll be happy. I knew I had to work hard for it and I did, I’m completely destroyed. It doesn’t matter. We got the podium and I’m really happy.”
Editorial Note: American Brandon Paasch, riding his Dynavolt Triumph Street Triple RS 765, qualified third in British Supersport. After turning the fastest lap time while racing for the lead in Race One, he crashed and suffered a broken right wrist, according to a post he made on social media. He will not participate in Race Two on Sunday.
Mackenzie aces race one with 0.095s covering the podium in Snetterton opener
Tarran Mackenzie celebrated his third victory of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship season, claiming Yamaha their first win at Snetterton since 2012, following an intense final lap in the opening BikeSocial Race 1. Just 0.866s covered an incredibly close top five after the 12-lap encounter.
At the start of the race, Glenn Irwin pulled an impressive move around the outside of Tarran Mackenzie to lead the pack out of Riches with Andrew Irwin holding third.
Christian Iddon crashed out of the action at Oggies on the opening lap unhurt, which now means he has lost two positions in the overall standings, dropping to fourth in the fight for the top eight.
At the front, Glenn Irwin was desperately trying to break the pack as Jason O’Halloran carved his way through into second place by lap four. A lap later though and Glenn Irwin crashed out at Oggies as the Honda Fireblade cartwheeled out of contention.
That left O’Halloran leading the pack ahead of his McAMS Yamaha teammate Mackenzie with Tommy Bridewell, Lee Jackson and Josh Brookes in the leading five positions.
On the eighth lap, Mackenzie made his move at Agostini to push his Australian rival back into second with Bridewell in close contention.
Brookes meanwhile was embroiled in a fierce battle with Jackson as the pair traded positions throughout the closing stages.
As the pack continued to close, Mackenzie was able to defend hard, but it was disappointment for O’Halloran as he got drafted to the chequered flag by Bridewell with just 0.026s separating them in second and third.
Brookes equalled his best result of the season in fourth, but was just 0.559s adrift of the win – the closest he has been this season on the VisionTrack Ducati, with Jackson completing the top five for FS-3 Racing Kawasaki.
Ryan Vickers held on to sixth place at his home round for the RAF Regular & Reserve Kawasaki team ahead of Peter Hickman as the pair broke away from Rory Skinner.
Bradley Ray and Danny Buchan completed the top ten with five race now remaining to decide the eight Title Fighters in the Showdown.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Snetterton, BikeSocial Race 1:
Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha)
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +0.069s
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +0.095s
Josh Brookes (VisionTrack Ducati) +0.559s
Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +0.866s
Ryan Vickers (RAF Regular & Reserve Kawasaki) +6.560s
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +6.855s
Rory Skinner (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +7.832s
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW) +9.696s
Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +14.732s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings after BikeSocial Race 1:
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 358
Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) 248
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 225
Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) 223
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) 209
Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) 171
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing) 154
Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) 144
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Tarran Mackenzie – McAMS Yamaha
Race 1 winner
“I am definitely happy with that! I was happy following Glenn at the start with Jason behind, because I knew we had good pace in practice, but the tyre was wearing a lot.
“When Jason came by, we had a gap to fourth place, so I sat behind him. Then when Glenn crashed, I was happy following Jason, but when the gap started to come down I wanted to take the lead in case something happened.
“There are a lot of passing opportunities here and I didn’t want to get involved in that. I got to the front and rode my own race, I didn’t set an outstanding pace, I was just comfortable and managing the tyre.
“On the last lap I wanted to push harder and bridged maybe one or two bike lengths, which was enough for them not to be able to come back on me.
“I made a mistake on the last corner, running wide on the entry and then had a big wheelie on the exit. I shut my eyes and got to the line to take another win, another double McAMS Yamaha podium.
“It’ll be tricky starting on the third row here tomorrow, but I’m quite strong in some areas, so if we can do some passing on the first few laps and then try not to use too much tyre. I prefer the longer races, so we’ll do some homework tonight and come out swinging tomorrow.”
More, from a press release issued by Dynavolt Triumph:
Hard fought fourth for Smith as Paasch crashes out
4 September 2021|Latest News
The day began with great promise as both Dynavolt Triumph riders qualified on the front row of the grid for the 10-lap Quattro Group British Supersport Championship Sprint race with Kyle Smith in second and Brandon Paasch, his first front row start in third.
Smith got the hole-shot off the line and led for the majority of the laps, holding off attempts from Kennedy, Currie and eventual race winner Johnston. Despite some super clean moves in the corners Smith just lost out on the long, uber fast Snetterton straights, crossing the line in fourth position.
Kyle Smith (11) and Brandon Paasch (96) at speed during British Supersport Race One at Snetterton. Photo courtesy Dynavolt Triumph.
Kyle Smith: “Bit of a disappointment not finishing on the podium but we’ve had a good race battling up front, just got to work a bit harder, dial a few things out on the bike and hopefully make it a bit better and see if we can battle for the win tomorrow.”
Paasch got away well then dropped one place to fourth and was battling back with a flyer of a lap when he overbraked himself going into turn 5 and slid out of the race. Paasch has bruised his left arm and has a suspected fracture of his right wrist putting him out of the feature race tomorrow and the next round at Silverstone next week. Paasch set the fastest lap of the Sprint Race and so in a cruel twist would have started the feature race tomorrow from pole position.
Brandon Paasch: “Crashed on about lap five. Just had the fastest lap of the race and got pole position for tomorrow but it looks like I won’t be riding. Whole left side of my body is pretty banged up, bruised and swollen and the right wrist looks like it might be fractured. We’ve taken the necessary precautions to get it checked out and wait to make sure I don’t farther injure it but yeah, bummer.”
Dynavolt Triumph Team Manager Simon Buckmaster: “Fantastic race Kyle just lost out. He was right there fighting for the win. He tried to see if he could get Currie and that put him a bit wide at Coram and then he lost out to Jack and finished fourth. A great job by Kyle and the team and we will fight for the win again tomorrow. We are always working with MSVR and the FIM on the balancing rules and it looks like this might need some adjustment to make things equal which is everybody’s aim. Even so, what a great race. We will look at everything that we can improve as we always do and be back fighting tomorrow.”
“Brandon was right there in the fight, he dropped a little and gained back but then into turn 5 he closed really fast on Kennedy, then he had to run wide onto the dirty part of the track and he just lost the front and, what looked like a nothing sort of a crash, slid off onto the grass but he hit his arm and his wrist on the kerb. The arm is fine, that is just bruising but the wrist is a suspected scaphoid fracture. He will go to see a specialist to get him back on the bike as quickly as possible but the medical staff have said 100% he is out of the race tomorrow and next week at Silverstone.”
FHO Racing Team Owner Faye Ho (center) with Scarlett Robinson (left) and Charlotte Marcuzzo (right). Photo courtesy FHO Racing.
FHO RACING LAUNCH NEW INITIATIVE TO SUPPORT FEMALE CONTENDERS IN BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITION
FHO Racing are delighted to announce a new collaboration with two female riders in the HEL Performance British Junior Supersport Championship as Team Owner Faye Ho continues to champion for more female representation within the sport.
FHO Racing will work closely with 16-year-old Charlotte Marcuzzo and 17-year-old Scarlett Robinson in the Junior class, offering mentoring and support for the two young contenders, who will run in the team’s recognisable livery.
Charlotte said: “To begin with the new livery we have for this weekend looks amazing and I feel that it is just the start of getting us noticed on track. They are definitely go faster colours so hopefully we can be on the pace straight away and keep moving forward. Faye is really strong and she has already helped with boosting our confidence so I am excited about working together.”
Scarlett said: “This is massive for me and I feel that already we are getting noticed more, especially because of the colour scheme. If this can help to raise our profile more then it will hopefully also mean we can add to our existing partners, who make it possible for us to go racing. I would like to thank Faye for her support and I am looking forward to being associated with FHO Racing.”
Team Principal Faye Ho commented: “I am delighted to announce our new association with Charlotte and Scarlett for the remainder of the season. It was always a huge ambition of mine to become a team owner in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, and to make that dream a reality this season was a huge achievement for me, especially to be the only women currently in that position.
“I wanted to share that experience of succeeding in a goal, and I feel really driven to be an advocate for more women to be recognised within the sport. This new association means that as a race-winning team in Britain’s biggest motorsport championship, we can offer advice and guidance on how to further their careers and really champion women within the sport.
“I am hoping that this new collaboration will also bring a new interest to the project and we are welcoming any brands who would like to be associated in supporting their dream to get in contact.”
Michael Dunlop, as seen at the 2021 Daytona 200, which was won by Brandon Paasch. Dunlop finished 11th. Photo by David Swarts.
Michael Dunlop to replace injured Brandon Paasch at Silverstone
6 September 2021|Latest News
Dynavolt Triumph welcomes Michael Dunlop to the team as stand-in for Brandon Paasch as he undergoes surgery to the scaphoid fracture suffered at Snetterton last weekend.
Dunlop needs no introduction and is no stranger to the PTR run Dynavolt Triumph team having enjoyed success with the team on the road circuits in the past.
Paasch will return to action at the Quattro Group British Supersport Championship round at Oulton Park later this month.
Michael Dunlop: “Really good news to be riding the Dynavolt Triumph at Silverstone. I’ve been watching the bike as it’s progressed this year and the team seem to have done a great job. As a lot of people know I’ve had success with PTR and it will be great to be working with Simon and the boys again. It’s a good opportunity, I’m looking forward to it. Let’s see what we can do, it will be great to see everyone there.”
Dynavolt Triumph Team Manager Simon Buckmaster: “We’ve a good working relationship with Michael, he’s got good feel for a bike and he’s a good supersport rider. He’s really looking forward to it and so am I. It will be great working with him again, we’ve really enjoyed it in the past. Let’s see if we can’t surprise a few people.”
“Brandon has seen a specialist today and he’s having surgery to insert a screw in his fractured wrist later this week. As long as he’s passed fit, and the specialist has given him every indication he will be, he hopes to be back on our bike at Oulton Park. We look forward to that and hope he can continue with his progression and win races before the end of the season.”
The one-mile track at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, in Springfield, Illinois. Photo courtesy Illinois State Fairgrounds.
Springfield Mile II/American Flat Track
Springfield Mile II
Springfield, Illinois
September 6, 2021
AFT Mission SuperTwins Provisional Free Practice 1 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Jared Mees (Ind), 35.942
2. Brandon Robinson (Ind), 35.989
3. Jeffrey Carver Jr. (Ind), 35.989
4. Sammy Halbert (Ind), 36.065
5. Briar Bauman (Ind), 36.068
6. Brandon Price (Ind), 36.190
7. Bronson Bauman (Ind), 36.273
8. JD Beach (Yam), 36.283
9. Robert Pearson (Ind), 36.431
10. Kolby Carlile (Yam), 36.481
11. Davis Fisher (Ind), 36.526
12. Bryan Smith (Ind), 36.663
13. James Rispoli (Har), 36.850
14. Hayden Gillim (Har), 37.232
15. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), 37.927
16. Patrick Buchanan (Ind), 38.461
AFT Production Twins Provisional Free Practice 1 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Dallas Daniels (Yam), 36.632
2. Jesse Janisch (Har), 36.799
3. Chad Cose (Har), 36.804
4. Jeremiah Duffy (Kaw), 36.888
5. Tanner Dean (Kaw), 36.933
6. Morgen Mischler (Har), 37.017
7. Trent Lowe (Kaw), 37.024
8. Ryan Varnes (Kaw), 37.044
9. Dylan Bell (Har), 37.110
10. Patrick Buchanan (Har), 37.124
11. Cory Texter (Yam), 37.190
12. Nick Armstrong (Yam), 37.225
13. David Wiggin (Har), 37.333
14. Danny Eslick (Kaw), 37.339
15. Jordan Harris (Kaw), 37.452
16. Dan Bromley (Yam), 37.475
17. Kevin Stollings (Kaw), 38.478
18. Shelby Miller (Kaw), 38.569
19. Gary Ketchum (Kaw), 38.712
20. Ben Lowe (Yam), 41.391
21. Ryan Wells (KTM), no time recorded
Provisional AFT Production Twins Semi 1 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Dallas Daniels (Yam), 8 laps
2. Jesse Janisch (Har), -00.769 seconds
3. Cory Texter (Yam), -01.707
4. Nick Armstrong (Yam), -03.246
5. Jordan Harris (Kaw), -03.308
6. Ben Lowe (Yam), -03.507
7. Patrick Buchanan (Har), -03.523
8. Danny Eslick (Kaw), -03.743
9. Shelby Miller (Kaw), -11.959
10. Gary Ketchum (Kaw), -13.711
11. Ryan Wells (KTM), -8 laps
Provisional AFT Production Twins Semi 2 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Tanner Dean (Kaw), 8 laps
2. Morgen Mischler (Har), -00.039 seconds
3. Chad Cose (Har), -00.065
4. Jeremiah Duffy (Kaw), -00.207
5. Trent Lowe (Kaw), -01.356
6. Dan Bromley (Yam), -02.836
7. Dylan Bell (Har), -04.792
8. David Wiggin (Har), -08.169
9. Ryan Varnes (Kaw), -6 laps
10. Kevin Stollings (Kaw), -6 laps
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Semi 1 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Sammy Halbert (Ind), 8 laps
2. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), -00.118 seconds
3. Brandon Price (Ind), -00.239
4. Jeffrey Carver Jr. (Ind), -00.408
5. JD Beach (Yam), -01.671
6. Davis Fisher (Ind), -01.697
7. Robert Pearson (Ind), -04.446
8. Hayden Gillim (Har), -06.674
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Semi 2 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Jared Mees (Ind), 8 laps
2. Brandon Robinson (Ind), -00.099 seconds
3. Briar Bauman (Ind), -00.103
4. Bronson Bauman (Ind), -01.715
5. James Rispoli (Har), -03.651
6. Kolby Carlile (Yam), -06.547
7. Bryan Smith (Ind), -06.635
8. Patrick Buchanan (Ind), -09.078
Provisional AFT Production Twins Memphis Shades Babe DeMay Challenge Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Dallas Daniels (Yam), 4 laps
2. Jesse Janisch (Har), -00.025 seconds
3. Morgen Mischler (Har), -00.234
4. Tanner Dean (Kaw), -00.355
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Mission Challenge Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Jared Mees (Ind), 4 laps
2. Sammy Halbert (Ind), -00.038 seconds
3. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), -00.373
4. Brandon Robinson (Ind), -00.443
Provisional AFT Production Twins Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Dallas Daniels (Yam), 18 laps
2. Jesse Janisch (Har), -00.022 seconds
3. Chad Cose (Har), -00.038
4. Cory Texter (Yam), -00.089
5. Morgen Mischler (Har), -01.614
6. Dan Bromley (Yam), -02.658
7. Tanner Dean (Kaw), -03.796
8. Jeremiah Duffy (Kaw), -06.423
9. Kevin Stollings (Kaw), -08.164
10. Danny Eslick (Kaw), -08.259
11. Jordan Harris (Kaw), -08.265
12. Patrick Buchanan (Har), -11.325
13. Trent Lowe (Kaw), -11.379
14. Ben Lowe (Yam), -11.515
15. Dylan Bell (Har), -11.526
16. David Wiggin (Har), -21.239
17. Nick Armstrong (Yam), -4 laps
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Jared Mees (Ind), 25 laps
2. Sammy Halbert (Ind), -01.135 seconds
3. Briar Bauman (Ind), -01.160
4. Brandon Robinson (Ind), -01.226
5. Jeffrey Carver Jr. (Ind), -01.400
6. Davis Fisher (Ind), -03.310
7. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), -03.360
8. Brandon Price (Ind), -03.402
9. JD Beach (Yam), -03.623
10. Kolby Carlile (Yam), -03.779
11. James Rispoli (Har), -04.564
12. Bryan Smith (Ind), -05.460
13. Robert Pearson (Ind), -08.829
14. Patrick Buchanan (Ind), -08.911
15. Hayden Gillim (Har), -10.101
16. Bronson Bauman (Ind), -4 laps
More, from a press release issued by American Flat Track:
Mees and Daniels Sweep Up in Springfield
Jared Mees (9) leads the AFT Mission SuperTwins race at Springfield Mile II. Photo by Scott Hunter, courtesy AFT.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (September 6, 2021) – Jared Mees (No. 9 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) left the field in his wake — twice — on Monday to complete the Progressive American Flat Track Labor Day Weekend sweep in a one-sided Memphis Shades Springfield Mile II presented by Law Tigers at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois.
After being accused of closing down the lines of his rivals during Sunday’s victory, Mees responded by making any such allegations irrelevant on Monday. He immediately shot out into the lead and drove away from a five-rider pack of would-be pursuers, building up an eight-plus-second advantage with just two minutes remaining.
Despite the monster lead, he was forced to prove his Springfield supremacy one more time, when a red flag brought the race to a momentary halt at that point.
While Sammy Halbert (No. 69 Coolbeth-Nila Racing Indian FTR750) managed to slide in front for a few seconds, Mees ultimately reestablished himself out front en route to a 1.134-second margin of victory.
‘20 Springfield Mile winner Halbert came home second while Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle championship leader Briar Bauman (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) finished third — albeit not until after surviving a close call with wild card Jeffrey Carver, Jr. (No. 23 Happy Trails Racing/DPC/Bryan Bigelow Indian FTR750).
Mees’ sixth- and seventh-career Springfield Mile wins worked to tighten up the title fight considerably. Bauman continues to lead, but a once healthy 25-point gap has been reduced to just 12 (254-242) with two more Mees’ friendly Miles directly ahead.
Afterward, Mees said, “After the chatter that Briar had up on the podium last night, I just figured today I’d drop the hammer and really put some distance on them to where I could do whatever I wanted out there. Right before the Main Event, we made a few small changes that ended up being a huge difference. I’ve got the best team out there, and we got the thing hooked up better, running faster, and just smoothed out. It was an incredible weekend for us.”
Third-ranked Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) finished fourth with home-track favorite Carver completing the top five.
Davis Fisher (No. 67 BMC Racing/Dick Wall 60 Indian FTR750) — who was the fastest man on track save Mees at one point — finished sixth, followed by Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), Brandon Price (No. 92 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT), and Kolby Carlile (No. 36 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) to round out the top ten.
AFT Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines
Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07) pulled off the nearly unthinkable Springfield double-double with a heart-pounding victory in Monday’s AFT Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines Main Event.
A hugely entertaining contest saw as many as eight riders still within shot of the victory with two minutes to go. Adding to the entertainment factor was the fact that several different lines were in play, with riders routinely railing corners several riders wide, utilizing extreme low and high lines in search of the fastest way around the high-speed Mile.
The final lap opened with Daniels leading a tight four-rider pack that also included Jesse Janisch (No. 96 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R), Chad Cose (No. 49 Voodoo Ranger/Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R) and Cory Texter (No. 65 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing MT-07).
Janisch threw it up the inside of Daniels entering Turn 3 and held the advantage exiting 4 for the final time. Daniels sucked up in the draft and swung alongside just as Cose and Texter fanned out four-wide in the sprint to the checkered flag.
Daniels just nipped ahead of Janisch by 0.022 seconds, with Cose in third another 0.016 seconds back. Title leader Texter missed the podium in fourth, despite coming up a scant 0.089 seconds short of the victory.
In addition to sweeping both AFT Singles and both AFT Production Twins races this weekend in Springfield, Daniels now owns three wins and one runner-up in four career AFT Production Twins starts. He said, “Before the Main Event, the team told me to move around a little bit. I knew it was going to be a close race — the track got slick and it was multiple line racing…
“It was crazy. I saw Jesse poking a wheel, and I knew exactly what he was going to do. I just sat there and waited. As soon as he came up, I tried to give him a little bit of room and he spun it up. ‘Here it is!’ I just poured that Yamaha stomper power on and blew right by that thing. These Harleys were running awesome. Hats off to Jesse — to come right off the couch and be on the podium at the Springfield Mile is insane.
“It’s awesome to sweep the weekend. It was kind of a rough night at the Short Track and we turned it around. And we kind of turned around the whole season it seems like.”
Morgen Mischler (No. 13 Vance & Hines/Mission Foods Harley-Davidson XG750R) grabbed his fourth top-five of the weekend in fifth, with Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) bouncing back from his Sunday disappointment in sixth.
Despite threatening to break away at the front at one point in the race, Tanner Dean (No. 38 Racing Unlimited Kawasaki/Bel Ray Oils Kawasaki Ninja 650), ended up coming home in seventh.
Texter now leads Bromley by 67 points (249-182), which puts him in prime position to clinch his second AFT Production Twins title next weekend in Sacramento.
The Memphis Shades Springfield Mile I & II presented by Law Tigers will premiere back-to-back on NBCSN on Sunday, September 12, starting at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. The Springfield Short Track Doubleheader will air one week later on NBCSN, starting at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. Both broadcasts will feature exclusive features and cutting-edge aerial drone and onboard footage.
Next Up:
There’s no time to rest as Progressive AFT will immediately travel to another doubleheader at a legendary Mile, the Law Tigers Sacramento Mile I & II presented by Knauf Insulation on Saturday, September 11, and Sunday, September 12. You can order your tickets online now at https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/15860/sacramento-mile. For those viewing from home, live coverage will be available on any device for only $1.99 a month via TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold.
To score the latest gear for the Progressive American Flat Track fan, visit our official merchandise store at https://store.americanflattrack.com.
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Daniels Shines in Springfield
Estenson Racing’s Dallas Daniels came out on top in today’s thrilling AFT Production Twins Springfield Mile II Main Event at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The victory capped off a stellar Labor Day weekend in his home state of Illinois, taking four wins and sweeping both Progressive American Flat Track doubleheaders on the short track and mile. JD Beach and Kolby Carlile scored a pair of top-10 finishes in the Mission SuperTwins class despite limited track time and changing conditions.
With challengers in the mix on day two, the young Daniels showed wisdom beyond his years. Yesterday’s fastest qualifier result carried over to today’s second round, and he lined up on the front row for his Semi. The 18-year-old missed a shift at the start and found himself mid-pack, but he quickly recovered and weaved his way to the front to grab another win. He backed that up with another victory in the thrilling four-lap shootout — the Memphis Shades Babe DeMay Challenge — crossing the line .024 of a second of the competition to take the prize money and his second win of the day.
In the Main Event, Daniels grabbed the holeshot but wasn’t able to make a clean break from the pack. He was shuffled to the runner-up spot early in the race and then searched for different lines to find an advantage. The defending AFT Singles Champion stayed in the top three and took over the lead a couple of laps after the halfway mark. In typical Springfield Mile fashion, it all came down to the final lap and a drag race out of Turn 4 to the finish line. Daniels was passed in Turn 3, but he kept his cool and positioned himself to use the draft and take the win by .022 of a second.
On the SuperTwins side, only one practice session before the Semi race presented challenges with the changing track conditions. Lined up on the third row, Beach got a decent start inside the top 10 and was eighth when the red flag came out, while Carlile came back from 11th to ninth to line up behind his teammate in the staggered restart. The dirt track/road racer got a good start and was sixth but ultimately crossed the line ninth, with Carlile right behind in 10th.
Next up for the Estenson Racing team is another Progressive American Flat Track doubleheader at the legendary Sacramento Mile on September 11-12.
Tommy Hayden – Estenson Racing Team Manager
“We had a pretty good day today here at Springfield on the second day of the doubleheader. Dallas rode really well all day in the Production Twins class. He was fastest in practice, won his Semi, the dash for cash, and then won a really tight one in the Main. Today was a lot different, though, compared to yesterday. It was more of a battle, but he was able to get the best of the other guys coming off of four and squeaked by for the win. That was great for his learning curve to be in a battle like that on a Mile and get some experience with drafting and strategy. I’m definitely happy with what we saw out of him today, and really the whole weekend. To sweep both the races Friday night and then both days in the Production Twins class, that’s really good to see, and we’re really proud of him for that.
“On the SuperTwins side, both guys were pretty close on pace all day. We were just a little off, and there was one spot on the racetrack that we just struggled with a little bit. For the majority of the track, I think we were just as fast as anyone and just off of the pace of the group that was battling for the podium. In the end, they were ninth and 10th, which was not the finish that we wanted, but we definitely made some progress here compared to last year. I think we’ve got some stuff to build on for next week in Sacramento, and hopefully, we can find that little bit that we were missing here.”
Dallas Daniels – Estenson Racing AFT Production Twins and AFT Singles
“It was an amazing weekend here at Springfield! It really couldn’t have gone any better. The track changed quite a bit today; it was a lot smoother because they had a lot of time to work on it. Since I’ve never raced here before this weekend, I didn’t really know what the track was going to do. I talked to the team to see what they thought, and we made some changes for the dash for cash. We were able to get the win, but I was kind of struggling a lot with the feel and the grip.
“So we made some changes and went back out for the Main Event. I was running some different lines and had some guys with me, and I wasn’t pulling away like I was the day before. I was trying not to run on the groove because I thought that’s what I needed to do. Once I finally got into the lead, I went up to the groove and realized that it was actually better. After watching the SuperTwins Main Event, I’m glad I did that because when they were on the groove, they were going faster and faster each lap.
“It was definitely a huge learning experience for me. It was good to have to draft somebody at the line and not just win by a straightaway because I’m not learning anything when it’s like that. So, it was good to have a win pulling away from everyone and then also good to win one at the line. It was a dream weekend here at Springfield. I really needed a weekend like this after Peoria, when we were in a slump, feeling beat up after that big crash and behind on points. It seems like any time we’re behind; we can bounce back. We’re going to take this momentum into Sacramento and try to get my first mile win on a 450.”
JD Beach – Estenson Racing Mission SuperTwins
“The second day at the Springfield Mile is always a toss-up with how the track will be. American Flat Track did a good job smoothing the track out a bit more, and the groove was wide, and we were running pretty high up on the track. The crew did a great job getting the bike dialed in to go racing with the limited track time. Every time we got on track, the bike was better, but we were losing time mid-turn compared to others. In the Main Event, we started rolling pretty well, but I lost the lead pack. Then as the race went on, I started to catch them just a little bit, but after we had that red flag, it was like they found another gear and pulled away. It was a rough day with another ninth-place finish, but we’ll keep working and try again next weekend in Sacramento.”
Kolby Carlile – Estenson Racing Mission SuperTwins
“Today in practice, the track was pretty wet, which didn’t really give us much insight for how it was going to be for the Semi. Then I just couldn’t find grip on the track at all in the Semi; it was really bad for me, honestly. In the Main Event, we had a good jump but it took me a little while to find the line that my bike wanted to run around on. Once I was able to find that line, I had a really good pace and I was able to run down quite a few people in front of me. Before the red flag came out, I was really confident that we were going to catch up and make a couple more passes and try to take a jab at getting to the front pack before the race was over. After the restart, I didn’t get the best jump, so I just did what I could do in the last few laps and was able to get a 10th-place finish. In the end, it was a big improvement from last year and a good weekend overall.”
More, from a press release issued by Indian Motorcycle:
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE WRECKING CREW RIDER JARED MEES SWEEPS SPRINGFIELD MILE DOUBLEHEADER
Back-to-Back Wins Closes Gap Between Mees & Points Leader Briar Bauman, Two-Man Wrecking Crew to Battle for Championship with Three Races Remaining
SPRINGFIELD, ILL. (September 6, 2021) – Indian Motorcycle Racing, presented by Progressive Motorcycle Insurance, carried out its 2021 American Flat Track (AFT) season with back-to-back wins during this weekend’s doubleheader at the Springfield Mile I and II. Ultimately, Indian Motorcycle Wrecking Crew rider Jared Mees swept the weekend and closed the gap with the factory teammate and season’s points leader, Briar Bauman.
During Sunday’s Springfield Mile I, Mees and Bauman battled closely, as the two were neck-and-neck during the final lap. Though it was Mees who edged out Bauman to capture his sixth-career Springfield Mile victory, while Bauman finished second. Indian Motorcycle privateer Brandon Robinson rounded out the podium with his sixth podium of the season.
On Monday, knowing he still had ground to make up on the leaderboard, Mees came out to the Springfield Mile II and dominated the field – ultimately reaching the finish line more a second before Indian Motorcycle privateer Sammy Halbert. The win marked Mees’ seventh-career Springfield Mile win and reignited a championship battle with just three races remaining.
“Anyone who knows Jared or has been following his career knows this was a typical Jared Mees performance. With his back against the ropes, a pair of wins were his best option to keep his championship hopes alive,” said Gary Gray, Vice President Racing, Service & Technology. “That said, I’m sure he didn’t go popping champagne bottles, as he’s quickly moving on to the next and preparing for the final three races of the season.”
Mees, a five-time Grand National Champion who last won in 2018, has his sights set on reclaiming the No. 1 plate. Facing a 12-point deficit, Mees will have his work cut out for him as Bauman, the two-time reigning SuperTwins Champion, has remained consistent all year, as he’s reached the podium in all but two races this season.
The 2021 AFT season will continue Saturday and Sunday, September 11-12, at the Sacramento Mile doubleheader. For more information on Indian Motorcycle Racing, visit IndianMotorcycle.com and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE®
Indian Motorcycle is America’s First Motorcycle Company®. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com.
The start of the the Teruel MotoGP race at Aragon in 2020 Fabio Quartararo (20), Franco Morbidelli (21) and Joan Mir (36) racing Maverick Viñales (12) and Jack Miller (43). Morbidelli won, with Mir second. Photo by DPPI Media.
Can Marquez take centre stage at MotorLand?
Anti-clockwise Aragon awaits the return of the 93, Aprilia on a high and Suzuki with a serious recent record
Monday, 06 September 2021
There’s plenty to talk about after the British GP, and the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship now saddles up to head back south to Spain and the stunning MotorLand Aragon. The modern classic nestles like an outpost of speed in an otherwise rural, striking and arid landscape, inviting man and machine to make their mark. And, even more pertinent to previewing the weekend ahead, it’s also an anti-clockwise circuit… and that usually means one thing: Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team).
The eight-time World Champion didn’t cover himself with glory at Silverstone after an early crash that collected Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing), but there was no harm done for either party and the number 93 was quick to apologise. But momentum didn’t mean much for Marc Marquez when the paddock arrived in Germany, another anti-clockwise venue he’s made absolutely his own, with the Honda rider putting his foot down to take that history-making win and get back on the top step regardless. He’s traditionally the fastest man at MotorLand and the progress keeps coming in speed at least… so can he pull another stunner out of the bag despite a slightly tougher run of late than likely expected?
The good news – to add to his record there – is also the form seen from his fellow Honda riders at Silverstone. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) was ill on race day but teammate Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) had one of his best Sundays of the year so far, and Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) most definitely had his best weekend on the whole since joining Honda. Starting from pole, leading for a good while and then coming home in fifth, it was a big step forward for the number 44. And at Aragon? More good reading: Alex Marquez also took his first dry weather podium – and second overall, as a rookie – at MotorLand last season, and Nakagami took a pole, so Honda will be feeling optimistic of a high-scoring weekend in Aragon.
That’s also true of Aprilia. After a season of knocking on the door week-in, week-out, Silverstone finally saw that milestone reached: a first MotoGP™ era podium. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) has impressed for much of the year but his British GP – and last lap battle to hold off Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) – were another impressive performance to underline some serious progress. He also took his previous premier class podium at Aragon, as well as more top finishes as the number 41 always seems to shine at the venue. And this weekend, there’s a headline in the other side of the garage too: Maverick Viñales.
After a rollercoaster few weeks, the Spaniard returns in black and red to take on a new challenge on the RS-GP, debuting early after already having signed for the Noale factory to race there in 2022. And on his test debut at Misano, the laptimes made for very exciting reading. Viñales already has podiums with two manufacturers, and wins… can he start adding more with Aprilia? And where will he slot back into the pack on his RS-GP debut?
Yamaha, meanwhile, remain on the front foot in the title fight. A stunning race from Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) at Silverstone as issues hit for his closest rivals sees him coming into the weekend a whopping 65 points clear, although the Alcañiz venue has never been the best for Yamaha. That may change who stands on the top step, but it can’t change who leads the standings. Quartararo could sit out the next two weekends and still lead the Championship by a minimum of 15 points, so he has some room to ride clever and focus on damage limitation if he needs to. That said, he himself pointed out the huge step forward taken by the Iwata marque in Austria, another track that’s traditionally tougher, so can he flip the form book? Former teammate Franco Morbidelli did do that on one visit to MotorLand last year too…
Cal Crutchlow returns to partner Quartararo at Monster Energy Yamaha and will be looking to keep making progress and taking data, and Jake Dixon will also get another ride out on the Petronas Yamaha SRT machine. After a solid debut at Silverstone, can he build on that? His teammate, Valentino Rossi, also made a good start and after having gone straight to Q2 at Silverstone before late race grip issues saw him drop down the order. Can the Doctor keep that form rolling on his last visit to MotorLand?
Similar happened for Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) at Suzuki, as the reigning World Champion ran out of steam – for steam, read grip – later in the British GP and came home in ninth, staying ahead of Danilo Petrucci (Tech3 Factory Racing) by a whisker. But with Quartararo winning, ninth is what’s left him 65 down on the top – and he’ll be gunning hard to take the opportunity at MotorLand to hit back.
Teammate Alex Rins, meanwhile, had no such trouble. The 2019 winner couldn’t quite stage a repeat but he did take his first podium of the season at Silverstone in second, and guess who won last year on our first visit to MotorLand? The number 42 was sublime and he’ll be heading in on that injection of confidence. In fact, Suzuki will likely be feeling pretty confident all round at Aragon, as they’re the only two riders who were on the podium in both visits to the track last season.
And what of Ducati? At Silverstone it was a more muted run for the Borgo Panigale factory. Miller fought for the podium, Martin fell victim to Marc Marquez’ crash, and both Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) had a tougher race to fade to outside the top ten. Bagnaia conceded it made a chance of the crown an even longer shot too, but until grip trouble hit he’d been fast as ever. And Miller got back in the mix. Can they do so again at a track that’s been traditionally tougher hunting ground? And can Zarco move forward to the postcode he was in for much of the first half of the season?
Last year, we saw KTM have a more difficult first weekend at Aragon followed by a big step forward – with the top Austrian machine beating the top Ducati too, so there’s reason to expect them to fight for more top finishes. At Silverstone Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) put on another stunning Sunday charge to go from 12th to 6th too – and complete the statistic of six factories in the top six for the first time since 1972 – and there were also standouts from Iker Lecuona (Tech3 KTM Factory Racing) and Petrucci as both stormed into the top ten. Will experience from last season help to maintain that now? Binder and Lecuona have now raced at MotorLand twice in MotoGP™, which is something that couldn’t be said of Silverstone.
Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) will be looking for a lot more from MotorLand too. The Portuguese rider was on an absolute charge earlier this season, but since Assen he’s not scored points. With proven talent, speed and smarts, the Portuguese rider will more definitely reappear at the front, but will it be sooner rather than a little later?
This time it’s one assault on Aragon for MotoGP™, and there’s plenty to watch out for. Can Marc Marquez make a stand on home turf? Will Suzuki be the team to beat? Or can Yamaha keep that form book flipped in 2021? Tune in at 14:00 (GMT +2) on Sunday as the lights go out for the Gran Premio TISSOT de Aragon!
4 Francesco Bagnaia – Ducati Lenovo Team – Ducati – 136
5 Jack Miller – Ducati Lenovo Team – Ducati – 118
*Independent Team rider
Moto2™: who will hold the cards at MotorLand?
Home turf for Raul Fernandez, a good venue for Gardner… but it was definitely Lowes’ territory last year, and in 2016
After another statement win at Silverstone – this one from Championship leader Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) – there’s plenty to talk about heading into the Gran Premio TISSOT de Aragon. Gardner’s lead is now 44 points after teammate and closest challenger Raul Fernandez crashed out at Silverstone, but we’re back on the Spaniard’s home turf…
Gardner has a solid recent record at MotorLand though, and with similar positions at the track last year to the form he showed at the 2020 British GP… which turned out pretty well as 2021 Gardner took it on. Raul Fernandez will be fired up to hit back though, and on previous occasions where that’s been true, the rookie sensation has been sensational. When the chips are down, the number 25 finds a way to reply. And he’ll have to start doing so soon given his deficit to the top.
Both Red Bull KTM Ajo riders may, however, have a lot on their plates from Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team). The Brit was the headline act at Aragon last year, taking both wins. It was no flash in the pan either, with another win at MotorLand on his CV from 2016 and a podium in 2015. The Brit has been on solid form lately, and although not quite getting back to his dominant start of the season, Aragon would seem a good place to stage a comeback to the top step.
Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team VR46), meanwhile, bounced back well at Silverstone from a disappointing Austrian GP, up at the front and pushing Gardner all the way. On paper he’s not got the best record at Aragon, with one Moto3™ podium, but last year he did nearly add a victory until a heartbreaker of a late crash. Late meaning final lap late. That will be a bad memory, but his speed prior to it a definite positive one… will he have similar in the locker this season?
Just behind the top four, it’s tighter than ever in the fight for fifth. Aron Canet (Kipin Energy Aspar Team) holds it for now, but only on finishing positions as Augusto Fernandez (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) is equal on points. Canet missed the events last year through injury but took a Moto3™ win the year before, and the Boscoscuro chassis has a good record at MotorLand. Augusto Fernandez will want a step forward from his record at the track though. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) took a podium last year and is only 1 point behind the two, too… can he leapfrog back into the top five?
Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) is also now a serious threat to the top five. The Japanese rookie continues impressing and he has good memories of MotorLand from his first Grand Prix podium in 2019 in Moto3™. And he’s only five points off Canet…
There will also be a debut to watch out for too. John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing) will make his first appearance in Moto2™ at the Aragon GP, moving up to replace Jake Dixon as Dixon remains on the MotoGP™ machine. What can McPhee do on a bigger bike?
Moto2™ leaves us guessing ahead of Aragon, but answering those questions will be another thrill around of one the most technical tracks of the year. Who’ll come out on top? We’ll find out on Sunday at 12:20 (GMT +2)!
Moto2™ Championship top five:
1 Remy Gardner – Red Bull KTM Ajo – Kalex – 231
2 Raul Fernandez – Red Bull KTM Ajo – Kalex – 187
3 Marco Bezzecchi – Sky Racing Team VR46 – Kalex – 179
4 Sam Lowes – Elf Marc VDS Racing Team – Kalex – 127
5 Aron Canet – Kipin Energy Aspar Team – Boscoscuro – 92
Moto3™: can the home heroes hit back at Aragon?
The home contingent gear up to try and take back the momentum at MotorLand
The British Grand Prix belonged to one rider in Moto3™: Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team). The Italian topped every single session, took a second pole in as many weekends and then pulled clear by the finish line to make a serious statement on a tough weekend for the two riders head of him in standings: Championship leader Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team). But now it’s time to saddle up for the Gran Premio TISSOT de Aragon, and that’s home, known turf for the two title fight protagonists so far. So is it a chance for another all-change at the top?
Silverstone seemed a venue likely to prove tougher for rookie sensation Acosta, and so it was. But now we head to MotorLand and his rivals will be especially happy to return to a track where the number 37 has already been on the top step – twice – in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup last season. And having taken some points after an almighty duel with Garcia at Silverstone, the pressure still remains off for Acosta as his lead actually grew to 46 points.
Garcia will be gunning for some revenge after said duel. The number 11 suffered a late shuffle back to just outside the points at Silverstone, and the more familiar turf of Aragon will see him back on his mission to win, win and keep winning… or at least cut the gap as a minimum. Can he showcase the same step forward at Aragon as he has at most venues this season? His teammate could be one to watch too…
After qualifying for the FIM Moto3™ Junior World Championship races at the track last season, Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) found himself outside the top twenty on the grid despite fighting for the title – and as a rookie in the class too. But once the lights went out, the Spaniard fought through the field not once, not twice, but three times in a row to take a goosebumps-inducing three victories from three. Coming into MotorLand off the back of his best Moto3™ finish so far with a fourth at Silverstone, and two fastest laps in a row – new records no less – Guevara will likely be thinking big for Aragon.
The same can probably be said of the rider who just denied Guevara’s rookie podium aspirations last time out, although in a different way: Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing). The Italian was the top Honda once again, and on the rostrum once again, taking some solid points. And with his Leopard machine always impressing on top speed, he’ll be rubbing his hands to take on that long, long back straight at MotorLand and try and take some points back from Fenati as his compatriot pulls clear in the fight for third overall. Fenati is in serious form though, and took a fourth last year.
The fast faces from last season will be gunning for glory too. Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took two wins and will be looking to get back in the fight for the podium, and Darryn Binder (Petronas Sprinta Racing), Ayumu Sasaki (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Kaito Toba (CIP Green Power) all stood on the box at Aragon last year.
Niccolo Antonelli (Avintia VR46 Academy) will be an interesting presence too, with the Italian saying his incredible escape with Fenati at Silverstone helped him fight through the pain barrier. Can he do that again? The likes of Deniz Öncü (Red Bull TKM Tech3), who took eighth on new turf at Silverstone, and Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse), back in the top five in the British GP, will want to play a key role at Aragon too.
There’s also Syarifuddin Azman (Petronas Sprinta Racing) making his Moto3™ debut to keep an eye on, the Malaysian already a race winner in the 2021 FIM Moto3™ Junior World Championship. He’s in for John McPhee, who in turn heads for Moto2™.
Moto3™ will definitely be an interesting one at MotorLand, with the long back straight and plenty to play for. On paper, it’s a venue that should see the likes of Acosta and Garcia bounce back… but Fenati and Foggia will be pushing hard to make it not so. Tune in at 11:00 (GMT +2) for another stunner in the Gran Premio TISSOT de Aragon.
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:
Ten riders set for Title Fighter decider as Mackenzie wins the Pirelli Race of Aces
Tarran Mackenzie celebrated victory in the closest Bennetts British Superbike Championship race finish of the season so far, winning race three at Snetterton by just 0.048s from Tommy Bridewell to secure the Pirelli Race of Aces trophy. The pair have confirmed their Title Fighter status in the Showdown, but with three races remaining next weekend at Silverstone, ten riders remain in contention to land the final four places.
The battle for the Title Fighter position intensified in Norfolk as the pack concertinaed in the standings after today’s two races. Christian Iddon’s fifth place in race three made him the fourth rider to be confirmed for the final three-round Showdown, with Peter Hickman just missing out by a single point as he prepares to cement his position at Silverstone next weekend.
The second race of the weekend was another three-way scrap at the front between the McAMS Yamaha pairing of Jason O’Halloran and Mackenzie, as Oxford Products Racing Ducati’s Bridewell again locked horns with the boys in blue.
O’Halloran upped the stakes after losing out to the pair yesterday, emerging ahead following an intense last lap battle with his two closest rivals.
Bridewell had managed to split the teammates by half race distance after O’Halloran ran wide at Wilson, but the championship leader was soon attacking the Oxford Products Racing Ducati contender to regain the position.
In the closing stages, O’Halloran had taken the lead on lap 13 with a decisive move at Wilson on Mackenzie, but the pair had Bridewell pushing them both until he had a moment at Coram when he caught his knee slider on the grass. He saved a crash, but just lost a few hundredths of a second to the leading pair ahead of the final two laps.
On the penultimate lap, Mackenzie held the lead, but O’Halloran fought back at Brundle to take the position. However, it wasn’t over and on the final lap, Mackenzie regained the advantage on the brakes into Agostini.
O’Halloran was piling on the pressure and made his move at the end of the Bentley Straight, then defended hard to take the chequered flag by 0.305s from Mackenzie, as Bridewell claimed a consistent third place.
A dramatic race three eventually featured the same trio tussling for the podium positions, as Mackenzie dealt his rivals a winning blow in an intense five-lap dash following an earlier red flag, to secure the Pirelli Race of Aces trophy.
When the race got underway, Mackenzie launched to the front of the pack with a lightening start from pole position to lead Gino Rea and O’Halloran into Riches for the first time.
However, championship leader O’Halloran was back ahead of the pack by the end of the opening lap as Bridewell had also pushed Mackenzie down the order into third.
By lap five, Bridewell had seized the advantage at Riches with a decisive move on his McAMS Yamaha rival and he was able to fend off the teammates over the following laps before the race was red flagged on lap nine.
Danny Buchan’s SYNETIQ BMW suffered a technical problem at the end of the Bentley Straight and as a result of losing fluid, he crashed heavily with Lee Jackson and Andrew Irwin also caught up in the incident. Jackson was unable to make the five lap restart due to damage to his FS-3 Racing Kawasaki, which puts him in a precarious position as he remains in eighth overall in the standings.
The race restarted with a five-lap sprint to the chequered flag, but Mackenzie again got the lead off the start ahead of Rea, but the Buildbase Suzuki rider was soon under attack as Bridewell and O’Halloran both moved ahead.
On the second lap, Bridewell launched his bid for the win, taking the lead into Brundle to hold the McAMS Yamaha riders behind him.
Mackenzie was not defeated though; he made a move on Bridewell at Agostini on the penultimate lap to reclaim the lead with the pair going head-to-head on the final lap for the victory.
A mistake from Mackenzie at Nelson wasn’t enough to give Bridewell the opportunity he needed to take the win and just 0.048s separated the pair at the chequered flag with O’Halloran completing the podium line up.
Defending champion Josh Brookes equalled his best result of the season with a fourth and sixth place finish today as he bids to claw back the advantage, with 13-points now separating him from eighth in the standings.
Peter Hickman and Buchan hold fifth and sixth place in the standings after the pair both had a challenging weekend in Norfolk. ‘Hicky’ bounced back from tenth in race two and having to start from the back row of the grid following an issue on the grid in race three, to secure seventh for FHO Racing BMW.
Honda Racing’s Glenn Irwin also endured a difficult weekend, meaning he now has just a seven-point margin over Lee Jackson, with the pair holding the final two positions inside the top eight ahead of next weekend’s crucial three races at Silverstone.
Bradley Ray, Brookes, Ryan Vickers, Rory Skinner, Andrew Irwin and Gino Rea are all outside the coveted top eight, as the focus moves to Silverstone, where the final four riders who will fight for the 2021 crown will be decided next Sunday.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Snetterton, Race 2 result:
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha)
Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +0.305s
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +0.885s
Josh Brookes (VisionTrack Ducati) +2.046s
Gino Rea (Buildbase Suzuki) +2.979s
Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +3.033s
Ryan Vickers (RAF Regular & Reserve Kawasaki) +6.422s
Andrew Irwin (SYNETIQ BMW) +6.473s
Rory Skinner (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +8.972s
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +10.857s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Snetterton, Race 3 result:
Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha)
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +0.048s
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +0.952s
Gino Rea (Buildbase Suzuki) +1.152s
Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) +1.322s
Josh Brookes (VisionTrack Ducati) +1.515s
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +1.790s
Dan Linfoot (TAG Honda) +2.516s
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW) +2.620s
Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW) +4.138s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings after Snetterton:
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 399
Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) 293
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 261
Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) 239
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) 224
Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) 174
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing) 161
Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) 154
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Tarran Mackenzie – McAMS Yamaha
Pirelli Race of Aces winner
“It’s been an amazing weekend and I didn’t expect it after crashing at Cadwell Park. We started really strong in first free practice and the bike felt really nice all weekend and allowed me to ride it how I wanted.
“It was great to win yesterday, I felt like I could have done it again this morning but Jason just got the better of me and then I bounced back with another win in a five lap sprint.
“It was important to get a lot of podium points and to have a successful weekend with one round to go before the Showdown is key.
“We move on to Silverstone now which is a great track for me, I love it there and the way the bike is working at the moment I’m sure we’ll be up the sharp end and battling for wins and podiums.”
The one-mile track at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, in Springfield, Illinois. Photo courtesy Illinois State Fairgrounds.
Springfield Mile I/American Flat Track
Springfield, Illinois
September 5, 2021
AFT Mission SuperTwins Provisional Free Practice 1 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Jared Mees (Ind), 37.018
2. Sammy Halbert (Ind), 37.033
3. Brandon Robinson (Ind), 37.138
4. Bronson Bauman (Ind), 37.256
5. Kolby Carlile (Yam), 37.313
6. Robert Pearson (Ind), 37.483
7. Briar Bauman (Ind), 37.489
8. Bryan Smith (Ind), 37.499
9. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), 37.557
10. Jeffrey Carver Jr. (Ind), 37.579
11. James Rispoli (Har), 37.663
12. Davis Fisher (Ind), 37.916
13. Patrick Buchanan (Ind), 38.017
14. JD Beach (Yam), 38.184
15. Hayden Gillim (Har), 38.711
16. Brandon Price (Ind), 38.783
AFT Production Twins Provisional Free Practice 1 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Ben Lowe (Har), 38.042
2. Dallas Daniels (Yam), 38.368
3. Cory Texter (Yam), 38.406
4. Jeremiah Duffy (Kaw), 38.417
5. Kevin Stollings (Kaw), 38.419
6. Patrick Buchanan (Har), 38.455
7. Ryan Varnes (Kaw), 38.494
8. Jesse Janisch (Har), 38.575
9. Danny Eslick (Kaw), 38.603
10. Dan Bromley (Yam), 38.641
11. Morgen Mischler (Har), 38.682
12. Chad Cose (Har), 38.975
13. Ryan Wells (KTM), 38.987
14. Dylan Bell (Har), 39.013
15. Gary Ketchum (Kaw), 39.255
16. Jordan Harris (Kaw), 39.500
17. Tanner Dean (Kaw), 39.777
18. David Wiggin (Har), 40.324
19. Shelby Miller (Kaw), 40.410
20. Nick Armstrong (Yam), 41.704
21. Trent Lowe (Kaw), no time recorded
AFT Mission SuperTwins Provisional Qualifying 2 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Jeffrey Carver Jr. (Ind), 35.961
2. Brandon Robinson (Ind), 35.964
3. Jared Mees (Ind), 36.048
4. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), 36.070
5. Davis Fisher (Ind), 36.188
6. Kolby Carlile (Yam), 36.189
7. Bronson Bauman (Ind), 36.223
8. Brandon Price (Ind), 36.280
9. Sammy Halbert (Ind), 36.291
10. James Rispoli (Har), 36.302
11. Briar Bauman (Ind), 36.531
12. JD Beach (Yam), 36.571
13. Robert Pearson (Ind), 36.575
14. Patrick Buchanan (Ind), 36.607
15. Bryan Smith (Ind), 36.914
16. Hayden Gillim (Har), 37.028
AFT Production Twins Provisional Qualifying 2 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Dallas Daniels (Yam), 37.123
2. Chad Cose (Har), 37.479
3. Jeremiah Duffy (Kaw), 37.493
4. Ben Lowe (Har), 37.535
5. Patrick Buchanan (Har), 37.535
6. Ryan Varnes (Kaw), 37.547
7. Dan Bromley (Yam), 37.716
8. Danny Eslick (Kaw), 37.815
9. Cory Texter (Yam), 37.835
10. Dylan Bell (Har), 37.877
11. Morgen Mischler (Har), 38.145
12. Jesse Janisch (Har), 38.317
13. Jordan Harris (Kaw), 38.379
14. Kevin Stollings (Kaw), 38.573
15. Tanner Dean (Kaw), 38.606
16. Nick Armstrong (Yam), 38.612
17. Ryan Wells (KTM), 38.785
18. David Wiggin (Har), 38.984
19. Trent Lowe (Kaw), 39.093
20. Gary Ketchum (Kaw), 39.148
21. Shelby Miller (Kaw), 39.576
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Semi 1 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Sammy Halbert (Ind), 8 laps
2. Jared Mees (Ind), -00.067 seconds
3. Briar Bauman (Ind), -00.088
4. Jeffrey Carver Jr. (Ind), -00.135
5. Davis Fisher (Ind), -00.199
6. Bronson Bauman (Ind), -00.226
7. Robert Pearson (Ind), -02.142
8. Bryan Smith (Ind), -03.143
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Semi 2 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Brandon Robinson (Ind), 8 laps
2. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), -00.795 seconds
3. Brandon Price (Ind), -01.158
4. JD Beach (Yam), -02.047
5. Kolby Carlile (Yam), -02.488
6. James Rispoli (Har), -05.830
7. Patrick Buchanan (Ind), -06.207
8. Hayden Gillim (Har), -10.377
Provisional AFT Production Twins Semi 1 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Dallas Daniels (Yam), 8 laps
2. Morgen Mischler (Har), -01.494 seconds
3. Jeremiah Duffy (Kaw), -01.546
4. Cory Texter (Yam), -01.892
5. Tanner Dean (Kaw), -03.318
6. Dan Bromley (Yam), -03.390
7. Ryan Wells (KTM), -04.474
8. Patrick Buchanan (Har), -05.246
9. Trent Lowe (Kaw), -07.078
10. Jordan Harris (Kaw), -07.592
11. Shelby Miller (Kaw), -18.470
Provisional AFT Production Twins Semi 2 Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Chad Cose (Har), 8 laps
2. Ryan Varnes (Kaw), -00.828 seconds
3. Jesse Janisch (Har), -00.948
4. Ben Lowe (Har), -01.022
5. Nick Armstrong (Yam), -01.816
6. Kevin Stollings (Kaw), -04.209
7. Danny Eslick (Kaw), -06.627
8. Dylan Bell (Har), -06.747
9. David Wiggin (Har), -08.026
10. Gary Ketchum (Kaw), -15.264
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Mission Challenge Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Jared Mees (Ind), 4 laps
2. Sammy Halbert (Ind), -00.167 seconds
3. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), -00.231
4. Brandon Robinson (Ind), -4 laps
Provisional AFT Production Twins Memphis Shades Babe Demay Challenge Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Dallas Daniels (Yam), 4 laps
2. Chad Cose (Har), -00.476 seconds
3. Morgen Mischler (Har), -00.879
4. Ryan Varnes (Kaw), -02.829
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Jared Mees (Ind), 25 laps
2. Briar Bauman (Ind), -00.116 seconds
3. Brandon Robinson (Ind), -00.322
4. Brandon Price (Ind), -02.670
5. Kolby Carlile (Yam), -09.451
6. Bronson Bauman (Ind), -09.861
7. Davis Fisher (Ind), -09.872
8. Robert Pearson (Ind), -09.916
9. JD Beach (Yam), -27.949
10. Patrick Buchanan (Ind), -28.469
11. Hayden Gillim (Har), -28.526
12. Sammy Halbert (Ind), -4 laps
13. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), -7 laps
14. James Rispoli (Har), -17 laps
15. Jeffrey Carver Jr. (Ind), -23 laps
16. Bryan Smith (Ind), -24 laps
Provisional AFT Production Twins Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Dallas Daniels (Yam), 4 laps
2. Chad Cose (Har), -00.108 seconds
3. Morgen Mischler (Har), -01.133
4. Jesse Janisch (Har), -01.417
5. Jeremiah Duffy (Kaw), -01.600
6. Tanner Dean (Kaw), -01.900
7. Cory Texter (Yam), -02.078
8. Ryan Varnes (Kaw), -02.208
9. Kevin Stollings (Kaw), -02.297
10. Nick Armstrong (Yam), -02.627
11. Jordan Harris (Kaw), -02.898
12. Ben Lowe (Har), -03.040
13. Patrick Buchanan (Har), -03.396
14. Dylan Bell (Har), -03.458
15. Ryan Wells (KTM), -04.321
16. Danny Eslick (Kaw), -05.301
17. Dan Bromley (Yam), -3 laps
More, from a press release issued by American Flat Track:
Mees Wins Sixth Springfield Mile, Daniels Gets His First
Jared Mees (9). Photo by Scott Hunter, courtesy AFT.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (September 5, 2021) – Progressive American Flat Track legend Jared Mees (No. 9 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) overcame a checkered flag challenge from rival Briar Bauman (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) to reign victorious in Sunday’s Memphis Shades Springfield Mile I presented by Law Tigers at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois.
Five minutes into the 14-minute-plus-two-lap Main, an early eight-rider lead group had whittled down to a six-rider pack consisting of Mees, Bauman, Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), Sammy Halbert (No. 69 Coolbeth-Nila Racing Indian FTR750), Brandon Price (No. 92 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), and Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750). It would remain that way for the bulk of the contest.
A final lap showdown between Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle title rivals Mees and Bauman only took shape once the race dipped under the three-minute mark. Vanderkooi was the first to drop out with a mechanical issue. Halbert would follow for the same reason with less than a minute on the clock, while Price simply could no longer hold the pace at that point.
Then Robinson lost touch with the draft as the leaders took the final lap, leaving just Mees and Bauman to determine the victor.
While Mees and Robinson had swapped the lead back and forth throughout much of the race, defending double Mission SuperTwins Champion Bauman showed off a high-low line late that provided him a potential pathway to glory. Indeed, he attempted to replicate it in Turns 3 and 4 on the final lap but came up just inches short of slotting ahead of Mees as they streaked toward the checkered flag.
Mees then held on to win by 0.116 seconds with Robinson rounding out the podium another 0.205 seconds back.
The victory was Mees’ sixth-career Springfield Mile triumph, including four of the last five. Referencing the fact that he and his wife, Nichole, will also serve as the race promoter for the series’ crown jewel event starting in 2022, he said, “I love the Springfield Mile. I figured if I’m gonna own it, I’ve got to win it, right?”
A frustrated Bauman made it clear in Victory Circle that he considered Mees’ tactics unsafe and added that his plan would be to “not get mad, get even” in Monday’s rematch.
Robinson’s teammate, Price, finished fourth with an impressive Kolby Carlile (No. 36 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) collecting his third-career premier-class top-five in what proved to be an attrition-filled Main.
Included in that list of DNFs were high-profile wild cards Jeffrey Carver, Jr. (No. 23 Happy Trails Racing/DPC Racing/Bryan Bigelow Indian FTR750) and Bryan Smith (No. 4 Crosley/Howerton Motorsports Indian FTR750), who were both early retirements.
AFT Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines
Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07) continues to check off items from his boyhood bucket list as he marches his way to Progressive AFT superstardom. The 18-year-old prodigy dominated the Springfield Mile in his first attempt, winning Sunday’s AFT Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines Main Event.
The victory follows his Friday AFT Singles sweep, setting the stage for a possible Springfield quadruple come Monday’s Springfield Mile II. And if that wasn’t enough, Daniels also pocketed an extra $5000 for winning the Memphis Shades Babe DeMay Challenge dash for cash.
Daniels now boasts two wins and a runner-up finish in his three career AFT Production Twins starts.
He said, “I’ve been dreaming a long time just to race the racetrack, let alone win it and break the draft. It was a fairy-tale day — fast qualifier, win the Semi, win the dash, and win the Main Event. It’s insane. I can’t believe I won the Springfield Mile. There’s a lot of bad dudes that have won here, and my name is on the list. Now I want to win it in the big class too.”
Vance & Hines’ talented trio gave chase early before settling into a strong 2-3-4 finish. Second-place went to Morgen Mischler (No. 13 Vance & Hines/Mission Foods Harley-Davidson XG750R), who adopted Daniels’ low line to power away from his temporary teammates, while Chad Cose (No. 49 Voodoo Ranger/Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R) drafted past Jesse Janisch (No. 96 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R) at the line to secure the final spot on the box.
Tanner Dean (No. 38 Racing Unlimited Kawasaki/Bel Ray Oils Kawasaki Ninja 650) inherited fifth after Jeremiah Duffy (No. 42 Sammy O Racing/Geiger Construction Kawasaki Ninja 650) encountered issues, leaving Cose as the only class regular to finish in the top five.
As a result, an uncharacteristic seventh-place finish on the part of Cory Texter (No. 65 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing MT-07) was actually a positive day for his championship campaign, especially with Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 D&D Cycles/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R) still on the mend and Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) suffering a mechanical problem of his own.
Texter is now 59 points up on Gauthier and 65 up on Bromley, making a Monday championship clinch an unlikely-but-not-impossible scenario.
The Memphis Shades Springfield Mile I & II presented by Law Tigers will premiere back-to-back on NBCSN on Sunday, September 12, starting at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. The Springfield Short Track Doubleheader will air one week later on NBCSN, starting at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. Both broadcasts will feature exclusive features and cutting-edge aerial drone and onboard footage.
Next Up:
Progressive AFT’s Labor Day Weekend dirt track extravaganza will conclude on Monday with the final event of the Springfield double-doubleheader, the Memphis Shades Springfield Mile II presented by Law Tigers. To purchase your tickets online, visit https://www.americanflattrack.com/events/2021/view/springfield-mile-i-2021. For those viewing from home, live coverage will be available on any device for only $1.99 a month via TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold.
To score the latest gear for the Progressive American Flat Track fan, visit our official merchandise store at https://store.americanflattrack.com.
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Daniels Tops Production Twins Podium at Springfield Mile Debut
Dallas Daniels (32). Photo courtesy Yamaha.
On the heels of his Friday night Springfield Short Track sweep in the AFT Singles class, Estenson Racing’s Dallas Daniels had a stellar debut on the Springfield Mile aboard his Yamaha MT-07. The defending AFT Singles Champion put on a masterclass performance in the AFT Production Twins class, topping qualifying and winning every race at yesterday’s first round of the Progressive American Flat Track doubleheader on the mile track at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Kolby Carlile led the way for the Mission SuperTwins team with a top-five finish. JD Beach was battling up front early but unfortunately had a technical issue and finished ninth.
The anticipated Springfield Mile doubleheader, originally scheduled for September 4-5, was delayed a day due to weather. Although the sun was shining yesterday, the track crew had a lot of work to do to get it ready for some fast mile racing, so they lost a session. With Sunday’s qualifying results also setting the grid for Monday’s Semi races, Daniels took full advantage and topped the timesheets in the AFT Production Twins class. From there, he took a dominant victory in his Semi to take pole position for the Main Event. He then grabbed another win and a $5000 check in the four-lap Memphis Shades Babe DeMay Challenge.
Daniels got another great start and led every lap but one in the twice-started Main Event, ultimately crossing the line with a 2.45-second margin of victory. The 18-year-old continues to impress with two wins and a podium finish in just three races in the Production Twins class, all of which were different track styles: a Super TT, a Half-Mile, and a Mile.
On the Mission SuperTwins side of the tent, the team continued to make progress. Carlile had a solid qualifying effort in sixth to start on the front row for his Semi where he finished fifth behind his teammate. The team put their heads together and made some changes for the Main Event that paid off. The New Yorker got a great start from the third row and was in the thick of the battle on the opening laps. He settled in and made some mental notes on strategy and then made a late-race surge, going from ninth to sixth with four laps remaining. He put in a final flying lap to cross the line fifth for his third top-five finish this season.
Beach struggled a bit in qualifying, but when it came time to racing, he charged his way to fourth in his Semi. He then got a great start from the second row and battled up front, even taking the lead momentarily as multiple riders jockeyed for position. Unfortunately, a technical issue shuffled him down the order, but he was able to salvage a ninth-place finish in the end.
Estenson Racing hits the track again today for the second round of the Springfield Mile doubleheader at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.
Tommy Hayden – Estenson Racing Team Manager
“We had a pretty good day at the first day on the Mile here in Springfield. Kolby was looking good all day and was pretty competitive in the SuperTwins race. He charged the whole way, and in the last few laps really came on strong and picked three or four guys off and ended up with a top-five finish.
“JD got a great start in the SuperTwins race, and had the lead down the back straightaway on the first lap and then ran in the top three for the first few laps, and then battled with the top five for quite a few laps in the beginning. Unfortunately, he had a technical issue that caused him to fade back and not finish as we hoped.
“Dallas was making his debut on the big track on the twin, and he looked really good and was comfortable from the first lap today. He gained more confidence as the day went on and led pretty much every session and won his Semi, won the Dash for Cash, and then won the Main Event. It was good to see him adapt so well to the Twin on a big track. I’m happy we get to come back tomorrow and get another try at everything. I’m feeling good about making things even better for tomorrow, and we’re looking forward to it.”
Dallas Daniels – Estenson Racing AFT Production Twins and AFT Singles
“It was an amazing day here at the Springfield Mile. I was the fast qualifier, won the Semi, the Babe DeMay Dash for Cash, and the Main Event. It was really awesome to be out on the Springfield Mile for the first time ever. I’ve been coming here for years watching all of the races, but I’ve never raced the track. It was super fun to ride the twin around here, the track’s super fast and so fun to ride. We made a few adjustments throughout the day, but the team unloaded the bike off of the truck, and we were just fast, and the bike was handling really well. So I’m really pumped about that. Again, it was just an amazing day, and we’re hoping to get the win tomorrow and sweep the weekend in Illinois.”
Kolby Carlile – Estenson Racing Mission SuperTwins
“Today turned out really good. We were able to get a fifth in the first session and qualified sixth, which gave us a front-row spot for the Semi. We kind of missed the setup a little bit for the Semi, and I wasn’t able to get it through corners three and four as good as I wanted to, so we put our heads together for the Main Event. From the third row, I got a really good start and was in the thick of it on the first few laps. When things started settling down, I was in the top 10 and then just started moving my way forward. I was able to learn a lot throughout the race, watching other people. When it came time to the end, I knew what I needed to do, and I was able to execute it really well. I put in a burner of a last lap and dropped my pace quite a bit, and I gave myself enough room where they couldn’t draft me to the line. I’m really happy to come away with a fifth-place finish. Last year we struggled here, so to walk away with something like that is amazing. Thanks to the team for putting in a ton of work this week and giving me a really good bike for the race.”
JD Beach – Estenson Racing Mission SuperTwins
“Today was a rough one for us. With the limited track time, it made it important to get the setup quick. Going into the Main, we were feeling good, and it started off really well, and I was battling up front. Then, unfortunately, we had some issues and went backward. It’s not what we were hoping for today, but we have another chance tomorrow.”
More, from a press release issued by Dorna WorldSBK Press Office:
Razgatlioglu battles to hard-fought Race 2 victory in Magny-Cours masterclass
Toprak Razgatlioglu (54). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Sunday, 5 September 2021 12:55 GMT
Toprak Razgatlioglu claimed three wins out of three at the French Round after another hard-fought victory in Race 2 at Magny-Cours
Race 2 for the Motul French Round at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours gave Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) his second win of the weekend to extend his Championship lead over Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK). A race that saw their rivalry ignite was relentless from the start, with the two putting on a spectacular show clear of the opposition.
THREE-WAY FIGHT AT THE FRONT
Razgatlioglu got the better start from pole position and initially held the lead of the race but used a wider line through the long right-hander of Estoril, allowing Rea to sneak up the inside to take the lead. On the run down to Turn 5, Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) wanted to get involved in the lead battle but Razgatlioglu and Rea were able to keep him at arm’s length.
Jonathan Rea (1) leads Toprak Razgatlioglu (54), Scott Redding (45), and Michael van der Mark (60) at Magny-Cours. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Scott Redding (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was running in third from the early stages of the race after jumping up from the second row of the grid as he claimed his first podium of the weekend after a challenging weekend for the British rider. Third place for Redding meant he lost ground in the Championship to leader Razgatlioglu, while Rea also gained on Redding in the standings.
The race-winning move came on Lap 11 after an incredible two laps of battling between Razgatlioglu and Rea with the Turkish star overtaking Rea into the Turn 5 hairpin of Adelaide on Lap 10 before the six-time Champion responded into the Imola chicane. Rea retained the lead of the race for just another lap before Razgatlioglu was able to pass Rea again into Adelaide. The pair battled it out throughout the race before Rea settled for second after making a save in the closing stages of the race.
TAKING HOME A TOP TEN FINISH
Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) claimed fourth place after another strong weekend for the Italian rookie, finishing two seconds behind Redding at the end of the race. Chaz Davies (Team GoEleven) claimed a top five finish for his first since Race 2 at the TT Circuit Assen, with Davies and Alvaro Bautista (Team HRC) both putting pressure on Locatelli for fourth place.
Andrea Locatelli (55) leads Chaz Davies (7), Michael Ruben Rinaldi (21), and Michael van der Mark (60). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was seventh, around two seconds back from Bautista, with Michael van der Mark (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) in eighth. Dutchman van der Mark had been running in the top four but a scary incident with Locatelli on the start-finish straight meant he lost time and positions and was unable to respond to get back to the front of the group. He faced let pressure from Garrett Gerloff (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) for eighth but held on with the American in ninth, with Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) rounding out the top ten.
COMPLETING THE POINTS
Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) continued his strong form with 11th place although the Italian rider did lose time to the group ahead, with Christophe Ponsson (Gil Motor Sport – Yamaha) claiming 12th place for a strong result in front of his home fans. He battled throughout the race with compatriot Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) directly behind Ponsson.
Japanese rookie Kohta Nozane (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) claimed his best result of the French Round with 14th place and two points, with Tito Rabat (Barni Racing Team) completing the points. Rabat had got ahead of the Ponsson-Mahias battle but fell back in the latter stages of the race.
TO NOTE
Jonas Folger (Bonovo MGM Action) claimed 16th place, missing out on a point by just over a second, while Argentinean rider Leandro Mercado (MIE Racing Honda Team) was two seconds back in 17th place. Loris Cresson (OUTDO TPR Team Pedercini Racing) was the last of the classified runners in 18th place.
Despite a strong start to the race, Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) crashed out of the race in the early stages of the race with an accident on the entry of the Nurburgring chicane, with Lowes retiring from the race. Leon Haslam (Team HRC) had an accident at the same corner shortly after, forcing the Honda rider out of the race.
P1 Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK)
“I’m really happy. This weekend, my team did an incredible job. Every race we were able to improve the bike. I’m really happy. I am focused on every race and I am always focused on for the win.”
P2 Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
“Toprak’s pace in the last three or four laps was incredible. It was time for me, like yesterday, to consolidate. I felt like we had a bit better fight today, I could at least put my ZX-10RR where I wanted. It was like going to school. He’s so good in some areas, I was stronger in others, but it’s good information to take away to Barcelona. I really enjoyed that, enjoyed the battle. It got really close in some areas but I had to think about the long game.”
P3 Scott Redding (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
“I was wrestling that bike for 21 laps. It’s not an easy track for the Ducati as we saw this weekend. I didn’t give up the fight. We had a tough Superpole, tough Race 1 but I really tried hard. I said to the guys today that if we could get the front two rows in the Superpole Race and then a podium, I’ll be happy. I knew I had to work hard for it and I did, I’m completely destroyed. It doesn’t matter. We got the podium and I’m really happy.”
Defending Champion Tarran Mackenzie (95), seen here leading Jason O'Halloran (22), Tommy Bridewell (46) and the rest at Snetterton in 2021, will miss the 2022 British Superbike Championship season-opener this weekend at Silverstone due to injury. Photo courtesy MSVR.
Editorial Note: American Brandon Paasch, riding his Dynavolt Triumph Street Triple RS 765, qualified third in British Supersport. After turning the fastest lap time while racing for the lead in Race One, he crashed and suffered a broken right wrist, according to a post he made on social media. He will not participate in Race Two on Sunday.
Mackenzie aces race one with 0.095s covering the podium in Snetterton opener
Tarran Mackenzie celebrated his third victory of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship season, claiming Yamaha their first win at Snetterton since 2012, following an intense final lap in the opening BikeSocial Race 1. Just 0.866s covered an incredibly close top five after the 12-lap encounter.
At the start of the race, Glenn Irwin pulled an impressive move around the outside of Tarran Mackenzie to lead the pack out of Riches with Andrew Irwin holding third.
Christian Iddon crashed out of the action at Oggies on the opening lap unhurt, which now means he has lost two positions in the overall standings, dropping to fourth in the fight for the top eight.
At the front, Glenn Irwin was desperately trying to break the pack as Jason O’Halloran carved his way through into second place by lap four. A lap later though and Glenn Irwin crashed out at Oggies as the Honda Fireblade cartwheeled out of contention.
That left O’Halloran leading the pack ahead of his McAMS Yamaha teammate Mackenzie with Tommy Bridewell, Lee Jackson and Josh Brookes in the leading five positions.
On the eighth lap, Mackenzie made his move at Agostini to push his Australian rival back into second with Bridewell in close contention.
Brookes meanwhile was embroiled in a fierce battle with Jackson as the pair traded positions throughout the closing stages.
As the pack continued to close, Mackenzie was able to defend hard, but it was disappointment for O’Halloran as he got drafted to the chequered flag by Bridewell with just 0.026s separating them in second and third.
Brookes equalled his best result of the season in fourth, but was just 0.559s adrift of the win – the closest he has been this season on the VisionTrack Ducati, with Jackson completing the top five for FS-3 Racing Kawasaki.
Ryan Vickers held on to sixth place at his home round for the RAF Regular & Reserve Kawasaki team ahead of Peter Hickman as the pair broke away from Rory Skinner.
Bradley Ray and Danny Buchan completed the top ten with five race now remaining to decide the eight Title Fighters in the Showdown.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Snetterton, BikeSocial Race 1:
Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha)
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +0.069s
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +0.095s
Josh Brookes (VisionTrack Ducati) +0.559s
Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +0.866s
Ryan Vickers (RAF Regular & Reserve Kawasaki) +6.560s
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +6.855s
Rory Skinner (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +7.832s
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW) +9.696s
Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +14.732s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings after BikeSocial Race 1:
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 358
Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) 248
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 225
Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) 223
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) 209
Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) 171
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing) 154
Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) 144
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Tarran Mackenzie – McAMS Yamaha
Race 1 winner
“I am definitely happy with that! I was happy following Glenn at the start with Jason behind, because I knew we had good pace in practice, but the tyre was wearing a lot.
“When Jason came by, we had a gap to fourth place, so I sat behind him. Then when Glenn crashed, I was happy following Jason, but when the gap started to come down I wanted to take the lead in case something happened.
“There are a lot of passing opportunities here and I didn’t want to get involved in that. I got to the front and rode my own race, I didn’t set an outstanding pace, I was just comfortable and managing the tyre.
“On the last lap I wanted to push harder and bridged maybe one or two bike lengths, which was enough for them not to be able to come back on me.
“I made a mistake on the last corner, running wide on the entry and then had a big wheelie on the exit. I shut my eyes and got to the line to take another win, another double McAMS Yamaha podium.
“It’ll be tricky starting on the third row here tomorrow, but I’m quite strong in some areas, so if we can do some passing on the first few laps and then try not to use too much tyre. I prefer the longer races, so we’ll do some homework tonight and come out swinging tomorrow.”
More, from a press release issued by Dynavolt Triumph:
Hard fought fourth for Smith as Paasch crashes out
4 September 2021|Latest News
The day began with great promise as both Dynavolt Triumph riders qualified on the front row of the grid for the 10-lap Quattro Group British Supersport Championship Sprint race with Kyle Smith in second and Brandon Paasch, his first front row start in third.
Smith got the hole-shot off the line and led for the majority of the laps, holding off attempts from Kennedy, Currie and eventual race winner Johnston. Despite some super clean moves in the corners Smith just lost out on the long, uber fast Snetterton straights, crossing the line in fourth position.
Kyle Smith (11) and Brandon Paasch (96) at speed during British Supersport Race One at Snetterton. Photo courtesy Dynavolt Triumph.
Kyle Smith: “Bit of a disappointment not finishing on the podium but we’ve had a good race battling up front, just got to work a bit harder, dial a few things out on the bike and hopefully make it a bit better and see if we can battle for the win tomorrow.”
Paasch got away well then dropped one place to fourth and was battling back with a flyer of a lap when he overbraked himself going into turn 5 and slid out of the race. Paasch has bruised his left arm and has a suspected fracture of his right wrist putting him out of the feature race tomorrow and the next round at Silverstone next week. Paasch set the fastest lap of the Sprint Race and so in a cruel twist would have started the feature race tomorrow from pole position.
Brandon Paasch: “Crashed on about lap five. Just had the fastest lap of the race and got pole position for tomorrow but it looks like I won’t be riding. Whole left side of my body is pretty banged up, bruised and swollen and the right wrist looks like it might be fractured. We’ve taken the necessary precautions to get it checked out and wait to make sure I don’t farther injure it but yeah, bummer.”
Dynavolt Triumph Team Manager Simon Buckmaster: “Fantastic race Kyle just lost out. He was right there fighting for the win. He tried to see if he could get Currie and that put him a bit wide at Coram and then he lost out to Jack and finished fourth. A great job by Kyle and the team and we will fight for the win again tomorrow. We are always working with MSVR and the FIM on the balancing rules and it looks like this might need some adjustment to make things equal which is everybody’s aim. Even so, what a great race. We will look at everything that we can improve as we always do and be back fighting tomorrow.”
“Brandon was right there in the fight, he dropped a little and gained back but then into turn 5 he closed really fast on Kennedy, then he had to run wide onto the dirty part of the track and he just lost the front and, what looked like a nothing sort of a crash, slid off onto the grass but he hit his arm and his wrist on the kerb. The arm is fine, that is just bruising but the wrist is a suspected scaphoid fracture. He will go to see a specialist to get him back on the bike as quickly as possible but the medical staff have said 100% he is out of the race tomorrow and next week at Silverstone.”
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