Motorcycles and news

Flat Track: Jared Mees claimsPodium for Harley-Davidson Wrecking Crew in Ohio July 25, 2006

For the second consecutive weekend Jared Mees made a sharp climb up the points ladder in AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Twins championship series. Mees led the way for the Screamin’ Eagle Wrecking Crew Saturday, finishing in second place at the Darke County Fairgrounds in Greenville, Ohio.

Another podium finish just one week after his victory in Saluda, Va., — moved Mees up from fifth to second place in the GNC Twins point standings. Mees and the Texter Harley-Davidson/ Screamin’ Eagle team had the No. 9 position just two weeks ago.

“Overall it wasn’t a great race for us because we should have won,” Mees said. “But at the end there was a red flag on the track and (Joe) Kopp got ahead of me on the restart and went on to win. That just shows that you can go from penthouse to outhouse pretty quick.”

Mees qualified first in his heat and earned the No. 1 qualifying position for the main event before finishing second for the night. Kopp rode his Latus Harley-Davidson sponsored ride to the event victory.

“We want to do everything we can to keep the momentum rolling,” Mees said. “(Tuner) Johnny Goad has this bike running so well and we need to battle (points leader) Chris Carr and do whatever we can to challenge him for the championship.”

Factory-supported Screamin’ Eagle riders Rich King and Kenny Coolbeth did not have nearly the same positive results this weekend. King did not qualify for the main event for the second consecutive weekend while Coolbeth finished in seventh place. The fourth rider in the Wrecking Crew Bryan Smith and the Pat Moroney’s/ Screamin’ Eagle team suffered a broken bike before the race started and finished in 18th place for the night.

“It was a tough weekend for the Screamin’ Eagle team,” Harley-Davidson Racing Manager Anne Paluso said. “We approach every race with hopes that all four Wrecking Crew riders can not only qualify, but finish in the top five. That wasn’t the case this weekend and I think it’s a good thing there isn’t too much time before the next event. The teams can regroup quickly and get ready for the next race without having to dwell on Greenville for too long.”

Kopp became the sixth different rider to claim a victory in as many races this season. Points leader Chris Carr and the Quality Pre-Owned Ford Harley-Davidson team, Dominic Beaulac and the Lombardi Harley-Davidson team, Coolbeth and the Screamin’ Eagle team, Mike Hacker and the Doc’s Harley-Davidson team along with Mees and Kopp each have one victory this season. The event at Syracuse, N.Y. was canceled after qualifying because of lighting and will not be rescheduled.

The next AMA Flat Track GNC Twins event is Saturday at Hagerstown Speedway in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Greenville, Ohio Screamin’ Eagle Wrecking Crew Race Summary
Main Event Finish Heat Finish Semi Qualifying
Jared Mees 2nd 1st — 1st
Kenny Coolbeth 7th 4th 1st 14th
Bryan Smith 18th 2nd — 8th
Rich King — 6th 3rd DNQ

AMA Top 10 Point standings: Flat Track
1. Chris Carr, Quality Pre-Owned Ford Harley-Davidson 85
2. Jared Mees, Texter HD/ Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson 78
3. Kenny Coolbeth, Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson 77
Joe Kopp, Latus Harley-Davidson 71
Bryan Smith, Pat Moroney’s/Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson 71
6. Glen Schnabel, Harley-Davidson 62
7. Rich King, Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson 60
8. Mike Hacker, Doc’s Harley-Davidson 51
9. Johnny Murphree, Coziahr Harley-Davidson 49
10. Jake Johnson, Suzuki 43

In addition to the direct team sponsorship, Harley-Davidson will also provide support through professional flat track contingency and the Rider Support Verification Program (RSVP). Under the Screamin’ Eagle banner the support will total more than $140,000 throughout the 2006 season. This includes a contingency program for qualified Harley-Davidson XR750 riders on the AMA Flat Track series.

Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts are inspired by and built in the spirit of the raw adrenaline and power of motorcycle racing. Screamin’ Eagle Pro parts are specifically designed for race-use applications, while Screamin’ Eagle parts offer street-use performance options for the Harley-Davidson motorcycle owner. Visit www.harley-davidson.com for more information.

The Screamin’ Eagle Flat Track team is sponsored by Matco Tools.