Superprestigio of the Americas is an invitation-only flat track motorcycle race that pits motorcycle racers from various racing disciplines (Road racing, Freestyle, Hillclimb, and Flat Track) against many of the best racers from the AMA Pro Racing Flat Track Championship series.[1]
The inaugural Superprestigio of the Americas was held on 21 November 2015 on a specially-designed indoor short track at the Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The race was broadcast live on fanschoice.tv[2] and was produced for national broadcast on NBC Sports Network the following Sunday, 29 November.[3][4]
Competitors
AMA pro-racing flat-track invitations
Selected for their points standings or specific race accomplishments in the AMA Pro Racing Flat Track Championship were Brad Baker, Briar Bauman, Dan Bromley, Stevie Bonsey, Kenny Coolbeth, Davis Fisher, Sammy Halbert, Jesse Janisch, Jake Johnson, Justin Jones, Doug Lawrence, Andrew Luker, Jared Mees, Bryan Smith, Jarod Vanderkooi and Henry Wiles
All-star invitations
Selected from various motorcycle disciplines were:
Oliver Brindley, DTRA Dirt Track
Aaron Colton, XDL Sportbike Freestyle Championship
Toni Elias, MotoGP
Jake Gagne, AMA Superbike Championship
Roger Hayden, AMA Superbike Championship
Josh Hayes, AMA Superbike Championship
Taylor Knapp, AMA Superbike Championship
Phil Libhart, AMA Pro Hillclimb
Gage McAllister, AMA Superbike Championship
Larry Pegram, AMA Superbike Championship
Dani Ribalta, Endurance FIM World Championship
Joe Roberts, AMA Superbike Championship
Franc Serra, FIM Flat Track Cup
Anthony West, MotoGP
Blake Young, AMA Superbike Championship
Competitors ranged in age from 17-year-old Oliver Brindley to 43-year-old Phil Libhart.
Sanction, rules and construction
Superprestigio of the Americas was sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing and overseen by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme by Stuart Higgs as race director.
Motorcycle equipment rules were as per AMA Pro Flat Track GNC1 Singles, except that all machines were ha 19" Mitas tires.
The track was designed by the 7-times AMA Grand National Championship winner, Chris Carr[5] who designated that the track have an American football-shape infield in order to produce multiple racing lines and therefore more competition. The track was built in two layers with a base of clay/rock mix as a foundation with decomposed granite for the racing surface. Track construction was done by the renowned track builder Dennis Pearson. A motocross-style starting gate (rather uncommon for flat track racing) was used.[6]
Competition
A points system was used to award finishers in the heat races the opportunity to choose their starting positions for the semifinals. Points were awarded as follows: 10 points for 1st place, 7 for 2nd, 5 for 3rd, 3 for 4th, 2 for 5th and 1 for 6th.
Finishing positions in semifinals and Last Chance Qualifiers determined eligibility and starting positions for Finals.
Roland Sands Designs and Indian Motorcycles brought the Super Hooligans as a supporting class.[7]
In a format designed to intensify the action, there were 31 races run during the program.[8]
Road racing World Champion Kevin Schwantz, a former amateur flat tracker himself, was the Grand Marshal for the event.[9]
The winner of the Superprestigio of the Americas, Jared Mees, was awarded a custom gold and diamond ring from Thom Duma Fine Jewelers.[10] The podium finishers, Mees, Brad Baker and Kenny Coolbeth, are all former GNC Championship winners.[4]
Results
All-stars final
| Pos | No. | Rider | Manufacturer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 72 | United States Larry Pegram | Honda |
| 2 | 95 | United States Roger Hayden | Suzuki |
| 3 | 27E | United States Joe Roberts | Yamaha |
| 4 | 24I | United Kingdom Oliver Brindley | Kawasaki |
| 5 | 18 | Spain Franc Serra | KTM |
| 6 | 13 | Australia Anthony West | Suzuki |
| 7 | 15 | Spain Dani Ribalta | KTM |
| 8 | 93 | United States Aaron Colton | Honda |
Flat Track Final
| Pos | No. | Rider | Manufacturer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | United States Brad Baker | Honda |
| 2 | 1 | United States Jared Mees | Honda |
| 3 | 2 | United States Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. | Honda] |
| 4 | 42 | United States Bryan Smith | Kawasaki |
| 5 | 14 | United States Briar Bauman | Honda |
| 6 | 67M | United States Davis Fisher | Honda |
| 7 | 80 | United States Stevie Bonsey | Suzuki |
| 8 | 93 | United States Dan Bromley | Honda |
Superprestigio of the Americas
| Pos | No. | Rider | Manufacturer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | United States Jared Mees | Honda |
| 2 | 6 | United States Brad Baker | Honda |
| 3 | 2 | United States Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. | Honda |
| 4 | 72 | United States Larry Pegram | Honda |
| 5 | 27E | United States Joe Roberts | Yamaha |
| 6 | 24I | United Kingdom Oliver Brindley | Kawasaki |
| 7 | 95 | United States Roger Hayden | KTM |
| 8 | 42 | United States Bryan Smith | Kawasaki |
Super Hooligans Final
| Pos | No. | Rider | Manufacturer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 | United States Thor Drake | Harley-Davidson |
| 2 | 9 | United States Chris Wiggins | Harley-Davidson |
| 3 | 10 | United States Roland Sands | Indian |
| 4 | 18 | United States Hunter Klee | Harley-Davidson |
| 5 | 31 | United States Drake McElroy | Indian |
| 6 | 47 | United States Travis Newbold | Indian |
| 7 | 56 | United States Ben Giese | Yamaha |
| 8 | 23 | United States Brendon Lutes | Indian |
| 9 | 66 | United States Shaun Guardado | Harley-Davidson |
| 10 | 74 | United States Helder Alvernaz | Harley-Davidson |
References
- ↑ "Superprestigio Of The Americas Happening Saturday Night In Las Vegas". Road Racing World. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- Wilson, Andrea (24 November 2015). "Superprestigio Of The Americas: Road Racers Play In The Dirt". Sport Rider. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- Larry Lawrence (22 November 2015). "Jared Mees Wins Inaugural Superprestigio of the Americas". Cycle News. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- Sean MacDonald (16 December 2015). "Behold The Controlled Chaos That Is Flat Track Motorcycle Racing". Jalopnik. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- "Jared Mees wins Superprestigio of Americas". MCNews. 23 November 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- "Road Racers Impress Flat-Trackers At Superprestigio Of The Americas". Torqued. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2016. - ↑ "AMA Pro". Fanschoice.tv. Archived from the original on 14 May 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- ↑ "NBC Sports Network Tune-In Alert: Superprestigio of the Americas to be broadcast on Sunday, Nov. 29 on NBC Sports Network". Cycle World. 28 November 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- 1 2 "NBCSN PRESENTS FORMULA ONE SEASON FINALE THIS SUNDAY AT 7:30 A.M. ET WITH LIVE COVERAGE OF ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX". NBC Sports Pressbox. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- ↑ Jensen Beeler (8 June 2015). "Superprestigio of the Americas Announced". Asphalt & Rubber. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- ↑ "Road racers enjoy Superprestigio of the Americas Warm Up in Vegas". CSBK. 20 November 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- ↑ Ed Subias (3 December 2015). "Super Hooligan Flat Track Race". Hot Bike. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- Colin Fraser (21 November 2015). "Lawrence Fights for Final at Superprestigio in Vegas". Inside Motorcycles. Retrieved 7 November 2020. - ↑ "Superprestigio of the Americas Results 2015". Motorcycle USA. 23 November 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- ↑ "Kevin Schwantz Named Grand Marshal for Superprestigio of the Americas". MotoAmerica. 30 October 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- ↑ "Special Superprestigio of the Americas ring will be awarded to event winner". AMA Pro Racing. 5 October 2015. Archived from the original on 8 October 2015. Retrieved April 11, 2016.