Motorcycle News - AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days to feature trials exhibition by Xtreme Trials
https://ift.tt/2IGGmnU Xtreme Trials riders will be on-site at the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days to perform and showcase the skills trials riding can help develop. Begin Press Release: AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days to feature trials exhibition by Xtreme Trials riders PICKERINGTON, Ohio — An observed trials exhibition performed by the Xtreme Trials riders during 2018 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days will demonstrate to spectators the extraordinary balance, patience and control needed for this gravity-defying type of competition. AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, now in its 28th year, is the largest fundraiser for the benefit of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. This year’s event is July 6-8 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. The Xtreme Trials riders will maneuver bicycles and motorcycles over challenging obstacles to the delight and amazement of spectators. For 2018, nine-time NATC Trials champion Pat Smage will join the Xtreme Trials line-up. A new obstacle, a 12-foot tall triangle called the “Triangle of Death,” will be added to the show, as well. “We are happy to be performing again at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days and are bringing our most impressive show yet,” said show coordinator Brad Baumert. “Having a nine-time national champion like Pat Smage join us, along with the new Triangle of Death obstacle, will allow us to show the AMA Vintage Motorcycles Days crowd tricks they have not seen in years past. We have also expanded our lineup to include 12 young trials riders, who will perform tricks on bicycles, unicycles and motorcycles.” The riders who participate in the Xtreme Trials exhibition compete in the NATC/AMA U.S. National MotoTrials Championship Series. “The Xtreme Trials riders put on a great show and demonstrate incredible riding skills,” said AMA Chief Operations Officer Jeff Massey. “Their shows draw a great crowd and demonstrate the strong motorcycling skills that can be developed through competing in observed trials.” AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, the nation’s premier vintage motorcycling event, includes racing, bike shows, live music at the Old Bike Barn Crossroads stage, seminars and motorcycle attractions. The AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Swap Meet, brought to you by Federal Motorcycle Shipping, brings hundreds of vendors together to sell, buy or trade bikes, parts and memorabilia. The event also features the AMA Vintage Grand Championship, which features road racing, motocross, hare scrambles, trials and dirt-track racing. Current production bikes will be on hand for display and demo rides. Tickets are on sale now. AMA members can visit https://ift.tt/1huO28G or call (614) 856-1900 to order. AMA members get discounts through May 31. Non-AMA members can buy tickets through Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course online at www.midohio.com or by calling (419) 884-4000. AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is a family-friendly event. Children 12 and younger get in free with a ticketed adult. Free parking is also available on site. Proceeds from AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days benefit the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, which is located on the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio. The mission of the Hall of Fame is to tell the stories and preserve the history of motorcycling’s legends and heroes. For more information, call (614) 856-2222, or visit the Hall of Fame’s website at https://ift.tt/O6eg8w. Keep up to date on event announcements by liking and following AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days on Facebook https://ift.tt/1Xoergy and using #AMAVMD on Instagram and Twitter. Those attending AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days will be able to sign up for special text alerts during the event weekend. For more information, visit https://ift.tt/1huO28G. AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days to feature trials exhibition by Xtreme Trials appeared first on Motorcycle.com News. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.comMotorcycle.com https://ift.tt/Xzx9iy May 22, 2018 at 02:19PM
Motorcycle News - Vintage Perfection: Retrograde’s Triumph Tiger T110
https://ift.tt/2IEkDkm
But as much as we’d love a couple of modern Triumphs in the Bike EXIF dream garage, we’d simply have to park a truly vintage one right alongside them. And this delightful 1958 Tiger T110 from Retrograde Mechanica will do just fine.
We asked Mark what state the Triumph was in when he got it, and his response was: “Frankly terrible. All we used in this build were the crankcases, the frame (modified and repaired) and the fork bottoms and yokes. Everything else was either sub-standard, didn’t fit my needs or was beyond economical repair.”
“It had to be a pre-unit Triumph—I’m a self-confessed Meriden groupie—and it had to have flake. Lots of flake, and lots of polished parts. Final influences were taken from the famous Pitty Tink Triumph, and the bikes ridden by greats like Skip Van Leeuwen and the like.”
The original crankcases are now playing nice with a Triumph one-piece crank, a four-spring clutch with a SRM pressure plate, and a 1967 NOS Bonneville splayed twin carb head. The power plant also features nine-stud barrels, 3134 cams, a Hayward belt drive, and a NOS primary case.
Mark and Nick have gone to town on the T110’s original frame. The geometry’s unchanged, but they’ve de-tabbed, re-brazed and smoothed the whole thing. They’ve also strengthened and braced it, and moved the rear crossmember forward, to make room for the new fender and seat mounts.
The front’s hooked up to a NOS Triumph full-width TLS hub, and the back’s mated to a Triumph QD hub, with a one-off stainless steel torque arm.
The build’s capped off with carefully selected, off-the-shelf bodywork. From front to back, we have a NOS Wassell banana tank, an HD Parts pleated seat, and a British-made rear fender of unknown origin. The seat and fender sit on one-off 5mm alloy brackets, attached with hidden fixings. There’s also a license plate bracket integrated into the left one.
Mark and Nick have sprinkled the build with an inordinate amount of hand-made touches. The fork stops, steering damper and exhaust brackets are all custom, along with a various spindles and spacers. There’s even a little arrangement just the left of where a headlight would normally go, that holds a spanner and a couple of spare spark plugs.
Props must go to A and C Auto Finishers, who coated the frame, forks and yokes. Unique Powder and Paint redid the barrels in stove enamel, Ash at Motoshine polished everything up, Terry and Protec handled the plating work, and everything looks tickety-boo.
Retrograde Mechanica | Facebook | Instagram | Images by Ben Roome Photography Motorcycles via Bike EXIF http://www.bikeexif.com May 22, 2018 at 12:06PM
Motorcycle News - 4th Invitational Why We Ride to The Quail Exceeds Expectations
https://ift.tt/2khFGe8 Why We Ride to The Quail’s fourth year is its best yet. Begin Press Release: 4th Invitational WHY WE RIDE to The Quail Exceeds Expectations and Release Documentary Scenic Motorcycle Tour for Charity Raises More Money for Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Moorpark, CA (May 21, 2018) – The Fourth Invitational WHY WE RIDE to the Quail charity trek is in the books and went down as an unmitigated success—it drew more riders and raised more money than any of its previous iterations. The ride, which took place on May 3, 4 and 5, began in historic Moorpark, proceeded to picturesque Pismo Beach, CA, then moved into the wooded hillsides and gorgeous valleys of Paso Robles wine country. Over 80 riders thundered along the most seductive canyon roads in California, arriving at the beaches of Monterey in time for The Quail Motorcycle Gathering. All proceeds raised went to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Brian Klock, of famed custom parts and bike shop Klock Werks, won this year’s Steve Moore Spirit of the Ride Award. The award is named after motorcycle enthusiast Steve Moore, who, when because of health complications couldn’t ride a bike, insisted on riding in the chase vehicle for the first Why We Ride to the Quail. He passed away before last years ride and posthumously had the award named in his honor. The WWRTTQ Riders Dinner always features an inspirational speaker, and this year’s event featured a women’s riders panel on International Women Riders Day. The panel included famed motorsports adventurist Wendy Newton, founder of Helmets n’ Heels; Samantha Moore; and Cindi Martin, a woman who always had the bug to ride motorcycles but didn’t get her license and first bike until she was 60 years old (after which, her husband promptly followed her example). This was the fourth running of Why We Ride to the Quail, and the event has grown each year. The ride features some of the most exhilarating riding terrain California has to offer and culminates at the beaches of Monterey in time for The Quail Motorcycle Gathering. A full one-third of entrants for this year’s ride were new, building on word-of-mouth raving by past and returning riders and growing a community of like-minded people that feels like a large, extended family. Participants in the charity ride enjoyed a bevy of perks (in addition to the awesome ride), including cocktails and vittles at the WWR Riders Dinner, gift bags, special guest speakers and VIP access to The Quail Motorcycle Gathering, including a private ride to the event, exclusive parking and private lounge access. This year’s Riders Dinner also featured a silent auction composed of items from sponsors, including a Paul Yaffe–designed hand-engraved and hand-painted Harley-Davidson Fat Bob Tank-Half. Other sponsors donating items for auction were Harley-Davidson, Dave Thom (Collision and Injury Dynamics), Dolfo Winery, Mark Gamo (D73 Leather Co.), Tri-County Powersports, Patricia Lelie, Nuviz, Simi Valley Cycle, Rokform, and others. And, of course, all funds raised went to benefit the kids via the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. The fundraising for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation continues for the next year with a short documentary released on Go Fund Me. Everyone is encouraged to watch and share this fifteen minute documentary and if so moved make a donation 100% of which goes directly to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Preparations are already underway for next year’s big fifth-anniversary ride, and, if the growth curve of this event is any indication, it should prove to be the biggest yet. About Why We Ride: Why We Ride Films is the production team behind Why We Ride, a feature length documentary film. Since its December 2013 release, it has quickly become the most critically acclaimed motorcycle movie of all time. Independently distributed by producer/director Bryan H. Carroll and producer James Walker—recipients of American Motorcyclist Magazine’s 2014 Motorcyclists of the Year award—Why We Ride’s aim is to use the power of cinema not only to entertain but also educate, inspire and celebrate the world of motorcycling with audiences worldwide. To learn more about Why We Ride, visit WhyWeRide.com 4th Invitational Why We Ride to The Quail Exceeds Expectations appeared first on Motorcycle.com News. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.comMotorcycle.com https://ift.tt/Xzx9iy May 22, 2018 at 11:24AM
Motorcycle News - Indian Motorcycle Scout FTR750 Sweeps Top Seven at Sacramento Mile
https://ift.tt/2LlqxEM Indian continues to steamroll the competition – or lack thereof – with its Scout FTR750. The FTR750 swept its third consecutive podium as well as the top seven spots at this past weekend’s American Flat Track Sacramento Mile. Indian: Reigning Champion Jared Mees, Indian Privateer Kenny Coolbeth Jr. & Wrecking Crew Rider Bryan Smith Sweep PodiumSACRAMENTO, CA – May 21, 2018 – Indian Motorcycle Racing’s Scout FTR750 continues its dominance in American Flat Track (AFT) racing – sweeping the top seven positions at the Sacramento Mile. Reigning Grand National Champion Jared Mees again takes the top position, with Nila Racing/Columbia Avionics privateer Kenny Coolbeth Jr. securing second place, and Wrecking Crew rider Bryan Smith placing third. The podium sweep marks the third consecutive race of an all Scout FTR750 podium. In typical Mees fashion, he quickly worked his way to the front and remained in the first-place position through the 25 laps. Coolbeth worked his way to third place from a challenging position, finally holding the second-place spot. Smith returned to the dirt track after breaking his left fibula during a Semi Final race at the Texas Half-Mile on April 28 and secured his best finish of the season. “It feels great to finally get the win at the legendary Sacramento Mile. This has been a track I have desperately wanted for many years,” said Mees. “The Indian Scout FTR750 once again proved it’s the best bike on the track – this time taking the top seven spots.” Wrecking Crew rider Brad Baker finished fourth, while Indian Motorcycle privateers Henry Wiles (Wilco Racing/Willy Built/Bandit Industries), Davis Fisher (No. 67 RMR/Double D Performance) and Chad Cose (Indian Motorcycle of Oklahoma City), placed fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively. “It was another thrilling night to see all seven of the Scout FTR750s lead the board,” said Gary Gray, Vice President – Racing, Technology & Service for Indian Motorcycle. “We were impressed to see Smith make such a quick comeback and finish third after breaking his leg just weeks ago.” Through the six races this season, Mees continues to sit atop of the leaderboard with 125 points and five wins, while Wiles ranks second with 89 points. Baker, Coolbeth, Fisher and Jeffrey Carver Jr. currently sit fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh place, respectively. The Indian Wrecking Crew and stable of privateers aboard the Scout FTR750 will continue its season on May 27 at the Springfield Mile. For more information on Indian Motorcycle Racing, backed by Allstate Insurance, the Indian Wrecking Crew and Scout FTR750, visit IndianMotorcycle.com and follow along on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. For information on purchasing a Scout FTR750, please contact Racing@IndianMotorcycle.com. Indian Motorcycle Scout FTR750 Sweeps Top Seven at Sacramento Mile appeared first on Motorcycle.com News. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.comMotorcycle.com https://ift.tt/Xzx9iy May 22, 2018 at 11:24AM
Motorcycle News - DigiLens Announces New Two-Layer AR Waveguide Display for Smart Helmets
https://ift.tt/2IGiv7Q Technology, technology, technology. There’s just no escaping it anymore, it seems. What’s happened to the days when you just got on your motorcycle to escape everything and be alone? It’s just you and your smartphone now. Looks like DigiLens is developing an even more sophisticated AR visor for smart helmets, which the company claims to be not only more intuitive to use, but cheaper to own as well. Read more about it below. DigiLens: On the heels of a $25 million Series C fundraising round, DigiLens introduces a new waveguide eyeglass display for AR applications–constructed from only two inkjet coated grating layers. It’s thinner, lighter, brighter, and significantly lower in cost.LOS ANGELES, CA – May 22, 2018 – SID Display Week — DigiLens Inc., the Silicon Valley-based company revolutionizing AR displays through innovative waveguide optics and proprietary materials, announced its eagerly anticipated two-layer augmented reality (AR) waveguide display. The DigiLens MonoHUD is now thinner, lighter and can be manufactured at a much faster pace, resulting in a breakthrough in affordability. For smart helmet applications being developed by industry leaders, the MonoHUD provides motorcycle and bike riders with distraction-free content directly in their line of sight, so they can keep their eyes focused on the road ahead. Bike speed, gear change, fuel and oil level status can all be monitored, along with maps, real-time accident warnings, music and other non-distractive smartphone applications--all without looking down at their smartphone. In addition to the new two-layer display that replaces the original three-layer design, DigiLens announced it had begun using a new inkjet coating manufacturing process with significantly increased throughput. Both innovations will lead to more parts from the manufacturing line, higher contrast and significantly less cost. The high efficiency of the DigiLens waveguide allows riders to see crystal-clear terrain, mixed with daylight-bright content ideal for outdoor applications--a gamechanger compared with other conventional display solutions. “The increased quality of the two-layer display and the reduction in manufacturing complexity is crucial for our customers,” said DigiLens CEO Chris Pickett. “It lowers the production costs and allows them to get product to market quicker. We are already seeing several innovative use cases like motorcycle HUDs and are seeking developers to show us what’s next.” Young Optics, a leading display manufacturer, is one of the first to license the DigiLens MonoHUD, and will soon be supplying it at high volume. Sena, an industry leader in Bluetooth communications for motorcycle and action sports, is working with Young Optics to integrate the DigiLens display and its communication system into helmets to allow riders to view their phone and dash information through the display. “We are proud to be working with the world’s top motorcycle and technology manufacturers in order to create innovative and cutting-edge solutions,” said Sena CEO Tae Kim. “By offering the MonoHUD display alongside our premium Bluetooth technology, we are giving riders a safe and next-generation riding experience and look forward to our continued work with Young Optics and DigiLens.” The MonoHUD AR display is full color, nHD image resolution and an unobscured user field-of-view of 105°, and AR display field-of-view of 25° diagonal. It has a maximum brightness of 8,000 nits and up to eight hours of battery life due to outstanding waveguide efficiency. DigiLens’ new two-layer MonoHUD waveguide display technology will be demonstrated at The Society of Information Display’s Display Week in Los Angeles from May 22 – May 24 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Meeting Room #10. About DigiLensDigiLens’ waveguide optics allow OEMs to access eyeglass-thin displays for wearable AR applications and larger displays for automobiles, avionics, retail and architecture. The company has developed a high-performance photopolymer material and copy process to manufacture precision diffractive optics by printing (not etching) the nanostructures. The resultant eyeglass display has higher efficiency and a wider field of view compared to conventional waveguides. This unique process delivers the key low-cost manufacturing benefit for DigiLens strategic partners, including Panasonic, Sony, Continental, Rockwell Collins and Foxconn. More information about the company’s offerings can be found at www.digilens.com. DigiLens Announces New Two-Layer AR Waveguide Display for Smart Helmets appeared first on Motorcycle.com News. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.comMotorcycle.com https://ift.tt/Xzx9iy May 22, 2018 at 10:52AM
Motorcycle News - New Youth Racing Classes Announced for 2018 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days
https://ift.tt/2khySNC The 2018 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days event is scheduled for July 6-8, and organizers are encouraging our youths to not only attend, but possibly try their hand at racing as well. There will be racing of all sorts, including hare scrambles, road racing, motocross and trials, and there’s an age class for everyone, even for riders as young as four years old! AMA: PICKERINGTON, OH – May 21, 2018 – Changes to the competition classes for hare scrambles, road racing, motocross and trials have been made to create closer competition and more opportunities for youths to participate at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, July 6-8 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. The changes include reductions to minimum age requirements, and the creation of new youth classes for competitors as young as 4 years. “We want the competition scene at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days to be open to as wide a range of competitors as possible,” said AMA Director of Racing Kevin Crowther. “Youth racing represents the future of the competitive side of the motorcycling lifestyle. We want to make sure we have close competition in all racing disciplines and create additional opportunities for youths to compete in AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days’ fun, family-friendly competition environment.” In road racing, the minimum age for participants was lowered from 16 to 14. Participants ages 14 and 15 may compete only on 600cc or smaller motorcycles. In observed trials, a Junior 4-8 class and a Junior 9-12 class were added. In hare scrambles and motocross, the class structure was expanded:
In motocross, a Youth 50cc 4-8 support class was added (entry is free, but each participant must be an AMA member). Other racing events taking place during AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days include dirt track and exhibition racing. For more information about how to register as a competitor, visit www.amavintagemotorcycledays.com/page/vintage-racing-2018. Competition registration closes July 1. AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, the nation’s premier vintage motorcycling event, also brings bike shows, live music, seminars and motorcycle attractions to the Mid-Ohio facility. The AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Swap Meet, brought to you by Federal Motorcycle Shipping, brings hundreds of vendors together to sell, buy or trade bikes, parts and memorabilia. Current production bikes will be on hand for display and demo rides. And informative seminars are scheduled. Tickets for AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days are on sale now. AMA members can visit www.amavintagemotorcycledays.com or call (614) 856-1900 to order. AMA members get discounts through May 31. Non-AMA members can buy tickets through Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course online at www.midohio.com or by calling (419) 884-4000. AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is a family-friendly event. Children 12 and younger get in free with a ticketed adult. Free parking is also available on site. Proceeds from AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days benefit the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, which is located on the AMA campus in Pickerington, Ohio. The mission of the Hall of Fame is to tell the stories and preserve the history of motorcycling’s legends and heroes. For more information, call (614) 856-2222, or visit the Hall of Fame’s website at www.motorcyclemuseum.org. Keep up to date on event announcements by liking and following AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days on Facebook www.facebook.com/AMAVintageMotorcycleDays and using #AMAVMD on Instagram and Twitter. Those attending AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days will be able to sign up for special text alerts during the event weekend. For more information, visit www.amavintagemotorcycledays.com. New Youth Racing Classes Announced for 2018 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days appeared first on Motorcycle.com News. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.comMotorcycle.com https://ift.tt/Xzx9iy May 22, 2018 at 10:36AM
MotoGP News - Honda's Pedrosa: Busy MotoGP schedule hindering hip injury recovery
https://ift.tt/2IEV66F Honda rider Dani Pedrosa says MotoGP's hectic schedule has stopped him from recovering fully from his Jerez crash earlier this month Motogp Motorcycle Racing News via MotoGP news - Autosport https://ift.tt/2uOa9Ei May 22, 2018 at 10:32AM
Motorcycle News - Triumph Recalls Certain 2018 Street Triple Model Motorcycles
https://ift.tt/2KKXoC1 Water might get into the left combination switch and cause the lighting and turn signals to malfunction. Affected owners will have their switches replaced, free of charge. Begin Release: WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 21, 2018 Triumph Recall: Turn Signal and Headlight Switches may MalfunctionIf the turn signal and headlight switches do not function properly, there would be an increased risk of a crash. NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V302000 Manufacturer Triumph Motorcycles America, LTD Components ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING Potential Number of Units Affected 1,242
Summary: Triumph Motorcycles America, LTD (Triumph) is recalling certain 2018 Street Triple R, Street Triple R – Low Seat and Street Triple RS motorcycles. Water may get into the left-hand combination switch on the handlebar and cause the turn signal switch and the headlight switch to malfunction. Remedy: Triumph will notify owners, and dealers will replace the handlebar left-hand combination switch, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 31, 2018. Owners may contact Triumph customer service at 1-678-854-2010. Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. Triumph Recalls Certain 2018 Street Triple Model Motorcycles appeared first on Motorcycle.com News. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.comMotorcycle.com https://ift.tt/Xzx9iy May 21, 2018 at 01:02PM
F1 News - F1 gossip: Alonso, Marquez, Hockenheim, Bottas, Toro Rosso
https://ift.tt/2KKQTz9 Monday, 21 MayMcLaren's Fernando Alonso says he is relishing his return to Monaco Grand Prix this weekend after missing last year's race to compete in the Indianapolis 500. (Crash) MotoGP champion Marc Marquez will test drive a Formula 1 car in a Red Bull-organised private event in Austria next month. (Autosport) Hockenheim says it cannot continue with the terms of its current deal with F1 if the track is to sign a new contract to continue hosting the German Grand Prix. (Motorsport.com) Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas says he is not as inconsistent this season as he was last year. (ESPN F1) Toro Rosso eventually want to have a Japanese driver as part of its alliance with Honda. (Autosport) #F1 via BBC Sport - Formula 1 https://ift.tt/OHg7x6 May 21, 2018 at 01:00PM
Motorcycle News - Mees and Carlile Win Thrillers at AFT Harley-Davidson Sacramento Mile
https://ift.tt/2LkBqa0 Indian’s Jared Mees wins yet another one at the Sacramento Mile. Can this man be stopped? Additionally, the Indian Scout FTR750 claimed the top seven spots. Clearly, the FTR750 is proving to be the superior machine in this year’s 2018 American Flat Track Grand National Championship. And last year’s 2017 AFT Singles defending champion, Kolby Carlile, finally gets a win under his belt. AFT: SACRAMENTO, CA – May 20, 2018 – The fabled history of the Harley-Davidson Sacramento Mile presented by Cycle Gear saw another outstanding entry added to its annals on Saturday night at Cal Expo Fairgrounds, with three of American Flat Track’s all-time greats taking center stage. Following an initial feeling-out stage in which a handful of AFT Twins presented by Vance & Hines competitors made their presence felt at the front, defending Grand National Champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle Rogers Racing SDI Scout FTR750) and retiring legend Kenny Coolbeth (No. 2 Nila Racing, Columbia Avionics Indian Scout FTR750) broke free from the pack. The two superstars stretched their advantage over third to nearly two seconds while setting the stage for an epic showdown to the checkered flag. However, Bryan Smith (No. 4 Indian Motorcycle Racing backed by Allstate Scout FTR750) – owner of seven straight Sacramento Mile victories – simply refused to be left out of that fight. He clawed and scratched his way into contention, officially turning the race into a three-way shootout over the contest’s nail-biting final five miles. In the end, series steamroller Mees overcame Coolbeth, Smith, sentiment and the storybook finish to notch up what’s already his fifth victory of the young 2018 season. After scooping up career win #35 – his first at the Sacramento Mile – Mees said, “I thought I heard someone behind me and figured it was Bryan. I thought he was just setting me up, and then Coolbeth came by me once. I looked back and we had a big gap, but then Bryan reeled us in. It’s phenomenal what we’re doing right now, week-in and week-out. It’s definitely tough to do. Hats off to Kenny and Bryan. Kenny is one of my heroes. To be up on the podium with him is pretty cool.” Coolbeth attempted a last-lap strike but fell 0.018 seconds short at the checkered flag. And while Smith was disappointed not to have extended his Sacramento Mile win streak to a nearly unfathomable eight straight, his heroic come-from-behind performance was all the more inspiring considering it was his return ride after breaking his left fibula just three weeks back at the Texas Half-Mile. It seems the extended Indian Wrecking Crew is in need of an even more intimidating moniker. In addition to works runners Mees (1st), Smith (3rd), and Brad Baker (No. 6 Indian Motorcycle Racing backed by Allstate Scout FTR750) (4th), Coolbeth (2nd), Henry Wiles (No. 17 Wilco Racing/Willy Built/Bandit Industries Indian Scout FTR750) (5th), Davis Fisher (No. 67 RMR/Double D Performance Indian Scout FTR750) (6th) and Chad Cose (No. 49 Indian Motorcycle of Oklahoma City Scout FTR750) (7th) combined to claim the top seven positions on the night for Indian Motorcycle. Jake Johnson (No. 5 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07) was the best of the rest in eighth, with Briar Bauman (No. 14 Zanotti Racing Kawasaki Ninja 650) and Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Harley-Davidson Factory Flat Track Team XG750R) completing the top ten. The evening’s storylines were not monopolized by the top ten, however. In the what-might-have-been department, Jeffrey Carver Jr. (No. 23 Roof-Systems/Indian of Metro Milwaukee Scout FTR750) saw his night come to an early conclusion – and with it, a strong bid at a Main Event victory ripped away. Carver was black-flagged at the tail-end of Semi 1 due to a smoking machine while holding down the race lead over Mees. On a brighter note, Ronnie Jones (No. 266 Estenson Racing/Loral Lake Racing Indian Scout FTR750) reestablished his own record as the oldest rider to make an AFT Twins Main Event. 57-year-old Jones is the owner of 10 career AFT Twins victories, the first of which came almost four decades ago and the most recent nearly a quarter century back. He has qualified for AFT Twins Main Events across five different decades – the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, ’00s, and ’10s. And Jones was not merely making up the numbers in Sacramento on Saturday night; he finished second to Coolbeth (a relative youngster at 41) in Heat 3 and finished 14th in the Main. AFT SinglesReigning AFT Singles champion Kolby Carlile (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) needed a result in the worst way, and did he ever get it. Carlile came through on the final lap following a titanic six-way struggle to score a spectacular victory by a scant 0.013-second margin of victory that felt even tighter than that. 2016 class champ Ryan Wells (No. 94 RMR/Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda CRF450) came from nowhere to dive-bomb into the lead entering Turn 3 on the final lap but couldn’t hold the ambitious line. Carlile successfully countered and then immediately turned his attention to holding title contenders Dan Bromley (No. 62 KTM North America/Bromley Motorsports 450 SX-F) and Brandon Price (No. 92 Parkinson Brothers Racing/DPC Racing Honda CRF450R) at bay as they charged down the straight to the checkered flag. The riders swung three abreast with Carlile narrowly holding strong at the line. Price hit the stripe in second, another 0.013 seconds ahead of Bromley, to up his slim points advantage over his rival to four (105 to 101). Still, Bromley had to be pleased to finish on the podium, considering he was fortunate just to be in contention. The Daytona TT winner was forced to call upon his one and only provisional start for the entire season simply to advance to the semis after suffering a mechanical DNF while fighting for the lead in Heat 2. For Carlile, the win was a double dose of what he needed. He entered 2018 desperate for a win after claiming the ’17 crown without a race victory. That desperation was upped considerably by a less-than-ideal start to his title defense that saw him come into Sacramento ranked all the way down in 10th. Carlile has now jumped to eighth with 64 points after becoming the sixth rider in six races to win an AFT Singles Main Event this season. He said, “The year started off so slow, breaking my shoulder in Daytona and racing through injury while trying to figure the bike out the best we can. Me and my mechanic and the whole Estenson Racing team worked so hard this week – we were at the dyno three days straight! We got a bullet, and I can’t thank everyone enough. That race was great. Everyone was clean, and we had some good draft passes. I’m sure the fans loved it.” Wells recovered well enough to finish fourth, while Tristen Avery (No. 16 Ron Ayers/Mr. Sign Honda CRF450R) and Jesse Janisch (No. 132 Roof Systems/West Bend Harley-Davidson-backed Yamaha YZ450F) finished fifth and sixth, respectively. Three-time Sacramento Mile winner Shayna Texter (No. 52 Husqvarna Motorcycles/JCS Racing FC450) finished at the head of the second group in seventh after fighting her way forward from outside the top ten. Catch the NBCSN Premiere telecast of the Harley-Davidson Sacramento Mile presented by Cycle Gear on June 3 at 2:00 pm ET. Next Up:From hallowed ground to hallowed ground. American Flat Track will arrive in Springfield, Ill., in a handful of days for a packed Memorial Day weekend of racing. On Saturday, May 26, the AFT Singles competitors will clash in the Springfield TT. And on Sunday, May 27, the AFT Twins class will reach the midpoint in its run of five consecutive Miles with the Harley-Davidson Springfield Mile I. Live coverage can be viewed on FansChoice.tv beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. ET on Sunday. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at https://www.springfieldmile.org/Tabs/Venue/VenueEvents.aspx?id=22e2f678-4210-4e08-a6dd-ab85aac59c4c. Mees and Carlile Win Thrillers at AFT Harley-Davidson Sacramento Mile appeared first on Motorcycle.com News. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.comMotorcycle.com https://ift.tt/Xzx9iy May 21, 2018 at 12:46PM |
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