The contrast of the weekend at Santa Rosa Mile was crazy. Super high highs with all of the success of Joe Kopp and Factory Indian at their first Grand National race in over 60 years, Brad Baker dominating the cushion up by the hay bales and winning by 10 seconds on his last ride with Harley, the championship battle of Bryan Smith and Jared Mees… then the lowest of possible lows with 2 young promising racers, Charlotte Kainz #35L (20) and Kyle McGrane #99A (17) passing away from crashes.
Indian podium sweep at CFTA Pro-Am Hooligan races Saturday night. Great tight racing, packed house and the fans loved the show.
Grand National - Season finale:
Joe Koop on Indian FTR750 with custom RSD wheel. Kopp was 3rd fastest in first practice session. Qualified 11th fastest overall and second in heat race (direct transfer to main). Kopp won Dash for Cash race against (Mees, Robinson, Johnson, Cose & Smith). He got the hole shot and lead first few laps of main event- finishing 7th overall. Insane results for a first race. They developed and raced this bike in 8 months with a top ten result at the first event. Pretty insane!
Motorcycle racing creates some of the greatest human beings.. We want to see every racer finish their career as old as possible and go on to live and tell stories until nature runs it’s course. Ninety Five year old Indian Wrecking Crew racer, Bill Tuman was there hanging out at the short track races with all of us and he is legendary. The fact that he lived through those wild racing days of the 40s and 50s and is still here now to tell all those stories is what makes him a legend. To be bold and successful and survive racing (especially in those old school conditions and loose regulations), at the level he did, for so many years, is an amazing accomplishment. Anybody who rides a motorcycle in sport does it because it’s dangerous and it makes them feel alive. Putting yourself close to death and maintaining your focus is one of the greatest feeling in the world. If you take that away from a racer, you remove part of their reason for existing.
Brad Baker won the main on Harley XR750. He was untouchable. Railing the outside line the whole race with a huge gap. (Announced as Factory Indian Wrecking Crew team rider for 2017)
Bryan Smith second on Kawasaki (Announced as Factory Indian Wrecking Crew team rider for 2017)
For these 2 racers to be taken so young is so very unfortunate, and at the same time the exact reason that what they did is considered so bold and respected by so many. Motorcycle racers risk their lives for the drive to go faster, glory and respect and there is something beautiful about that. We hope to see the sport continue to grow and have a resurgence, tracks be made safer and for pro racers to make a living doing what they love to do Dirt track racing isn’t safe, really no form of motorcycle racing is, and that’s what keeps us coming back. Godspeed Charlotte & Kyle.
Saturday September 24th the SuperHooligans will be at it again in Northern California, kicking off the AMA Pro Racing Santa Rosa Mile. California Flat Track Association will be teaming up with Indian Motorcycle and Roland Sands Design for a Short Track Doubleheader at Sonoma Fairgrounds Chris Beck Arena. Friday night will be the Californian Amateur Championship Series RD. #7 with rider gates opening at 11:00am and spectator gates will open at 3:30pm. Saturday night will feature Pro/Am & Hooligan racing. Spectator gates will open and 5:00pm, followed by opening ceremonies at 6:30pm. We invite racers and fans of motorcycle racing to participate and attend.
Spectator tickets for Saturday’s shenanigans are available at https://www.showclix.com/events/22716. Racers interested in signing up for the SuperHooligan class can register online here. All brands of bikes are welcome to race!
Saturday Night Pro/Am Short Track Shootout
Make it a two-day race weekend. Watch the pros do battle in the bullring known as Chris Beck Arena. GNC1 and GNC2 riders will be racing side-by-side in this gladiator pit. Other races include Hooligan, Expert, Vintage, Veteran and Youth Experts.
Indians new Scout Flat Tracker will be on display!
Finale event on the AMA Pro Flat Track 2016 Season ~ SPONSORED BY TRIUMPH. Third event with current promotion team. Previous Winners: Stephen Vanderkuur & Sammy Halbert. For information regarding RV reservations during this event, please email: oa@sonomacountyfair.com RV APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT WWW.SONOMACOUNTYFAIR.COM ON THE RV PARK PAGE
- Hours: Short Track: Fri & Sat Evening / Santa Rosa Mile: Sun Tentative 9am Gate Opening
- Location:Short Track - Chris Beck Arena / Santa Rosa Mile - Racetrack
- Admission: Reserved & General Admission
- Organization: Dirt Tracker LLC (Steve DeLorenzi & Terry Otton)
- Contact: Vincent DeLorenzi
- Phone: 1-888-718-4253 TICKETS
- Website: www.santarosamile.com