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September 6,2010 - Shakopee, Minnesota
By: Dan Jacobson
With a point battle heating up for the combined championship, it seem it will come down to the last three races to settle the score between the top five.
Joe Kopp, Jake Johnson, Sammy Halbert, Jared Mees and GN-Singles repeat champion Henry Wiles all still having a real chance for the overall combined championship. The next event, Canterbury Park 1-Mile oval dirt track on Saturday night, September 11th.
Q&A: Current AMA Pro-Flat Track Point Leader - Joe Kopp from Mica, Washington
Dan; Joe, What do you remember from the 1997 event (5th place on a H-D)? The Track & Surface? The Venue here at Canterbury?
Coming into the Minnesota Mile...
Joe; "I remember that the surface was a deep rough sandy surface, which totally suited my style. And I really think that the Ducati is going to be awesome there".
Dan; Coming into this event as the point leader what kind of special strategy do you have?
Joe; "I will be working on getting good starts as that is always a key on tracks like this, plus I am going to beat the guys I have to beat for points and just try and get farther ahead in the points for the last three races".
Dan; With one Mile victory on the Ducati have you made any changes for the Canterbury Park Track?
Joe; "We have made a few changes to the bike throughout the year, but really it is working pretty dang good. I am very comfortable on the bike which always makes you go faster when you feel comfy yah know. hahaha"
Dan; Do you you have any plans for the 10,000 Lakes here in Minnesota while you are here for the MN-Mile?
Joe; "I would love to do some fishing in one of those lakes, but about the only thing I have going on is an autograph session at Butch Donahues Delano Sports Center on Friday afternoon sometime. I am not sure of the time they are setting up yet, but probably around 3pm or so".
On any Sunday in Springfield, the mile, shows just what these AMA Pro Racers are made of... Massive position changes through out the field of 18 of the fastest motorcycle racers on the planet. Running 300lb two wheeled rockets into the corners sideways at 140 mph on the dirt 1-mile oval, only inches apart, drafting back to full speed to return the favors at the next set of corners.
It would seem from qualifying to the main event either the track became much faster or the guys found a higher power to gain over 1 second per lap. All 17 riders beat the fast qualifying time set by the winner Bryan Smith (1:307 faster) in the finals. Right from the start Bryan Smith and the Warner/Springsteen Kawasaki showed they came to win.
As the promotional crew at Canterbury Park gets ready to host this wide-open AMA Pro Racing battle of the best, they are redoing the horse racing surface. News from the Park is the top 6" of loose surface is being pealed off to make the track like Springfield. Giving up the 50' roost of 1997, for the draft will make for more passing and room for four wide racing. With the prefect night time conditions the moisture will hold, making the traction extremely good for the 70 some experts scheduled.
Along with the AMA Pro Grand National Twins (GNT), the show includes the Pro Singles, this group of young guns are on their way to the expert ranks. The past weekends race (Springfield, Illinois) showed 22 racers within 1-second 43 within 2 seconds for qualifying lap times. The main event, from first to 14th .524 gap at the finish line. Showing lap times close to one second slower than the Expert Twin Class, the treats are for the fans.
The AMA Pro Racing GN-Twins formula includes many new manufactures to the series. Triumph, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Aprilia, BMW, Honda, Ducati, KTM, BSA, Buell and the staple Harley-Davidson all have players in the game.
GNC Combined Points: Top Ten
1. Joe Kopp 252
2. Jake Johnson 242
3. Sammy Halbert 228
4. Jared Mees 228
5. Henry Wiles 224
6. Kenny Coolbeth Jr. 207
7. Chris Carr 173
8 . Bryan Smith 164
9 . Johnny Lewis 92
10. Matt Weidman 91
The AMA Pro Racing Singles have gone to a production based converted Motocross bike formula that seems to work prefect. This includes all the brands (Honda currently on top) and reels-in lots of new talent. Top racers: Springfield Mile winner Jeffery Caver, Jr., Brad Baker, Michael Martin, Michael Avila, William Cato, Michael Toon and local favorites Conner Anderson, Nick Mataya, Chad Kenyon. I need to give the ladies some credits too, Shayna Texter, Linsey King, and Erin Kissinger all riding very strong this season. This is just a small sampling of the 50 plus AMA Pro Singles coming to canterbury Park.
AMA Pro Single points:
09/6/2010
1. Jeffery Carver Jr. 255
2. Brad Baker 235
3. Michael Avila 163
4. James Rispoli 160
5. J.D. Beach 118
6. Michael Martin 117
7. Michael LaBelle 116
8. Chaz Springsteen 101
9. Jake Shoemaker 90
10. Michael Toon 80
11. William Cato 69
12. Zakk Palmer 66
13. Jeremy Hamilton 59
14. Shayna Texter 57
15. Gerit Callies 55
Speaking of a formula... The connection of the great venue, Canterbury Park, with the closed circuit TV's / jumbo tron and the best in Motor Sport, AMA Pro Racing, night time, under the lights, this production is an event to be at. See you there! |
