Mees promotes, competes in Lima Half Mile AMA event

LIMA — When Jared Mees competes in the 34th annual American Motorcycle Association Lima Half Mile races Saturday at the Allen County Fairgrounds, he wants to hear a big crowd and not just for encouragement, but because this year Mees is wearing both the helmet of a participant and the hat of promoter.

Mees, along with his wife Nichole, took over the promotions of the popular event this year from longtime promoters Dean and Barb Gallup. The event was first held in 1984 and has been a staple of the Lima summer.

“This is all new to me but Barb and Dean Gallup have laid out a good road map for us and they have done an exceptional job getting the track ready and showing us the ropes. So far things have been going great and I am excited about promoting the event.”

Mees said ticket sales are solid and he expects another capacity crowd. Traditionally, attendance has exceeded more than 7,000.

Jared Mees said his wife and he took over the promoting duties because of the popularity of the event in Lima. He added that it was a pretty easy decision to take on the promoting chores because of the popularity of the track with racers and fans, the proximity to his home, and perhaps the most important factor, the sentimental spot it holds in his successful racing career.

Jared Mees, who lives in Clio, Michigan, captured his first Grand National AMA race in Lima in 2005. Since then he has won in Lima in 2007 and 2014.

Getting a huge crowd out for the race will probably be easier than taking first place.

With the sweeping corners and soft track of pea-gravel, it takes somewhat of a different approach to conquer the Lima course.

“You have got to get off to a great start,” said Jared Mees, who is coming off a winning performance at Oklahoma City last week. “In every race you have to get off to a good start but especially in Lima because you want to stay out of the spray.”

Mees added that following the right line is also key to winning at Lima because they can often change throughout the race due to the layout of the track. The 85-foot wide corners provide multi-lane racing at high speeds and riders vie for the best line which makes the racing that much tougher to navigate.

While the track provides its own challenges, Jared Mees will also be facing stiff competition from the other participants in the GNC1 division.

The Lima races are the start of the second half of the AMA flat track season and Jared Mees currently stands second in overall points in the GNC1 division. Earlier in the year Mees won the Circuit of the Americas race in Las Vegas and captured the gold in the X-Games in Austin.

Jared Mees is chasing Bryan Smith, the points leader, who will be competing in Lima. Prior to Mees garnering first in Oklahoma City, Smith had won three consecutive races.

Other racers that will be on hand for the Lima race are Sammy Halbert, currently sitting third in the points standings and Kenny Coolbeth, a three-time GNC1 champion, who is fourth overall on the points leader board.

Not only will fans get treated to the top racers in the GNC1 division, GNC2 races will also be held.

In the GNC2 division, Ryan Wells is the points leader followed by Dalton Gauthier and Jamison Minor. Tristan Avery, who finished first last week rounds out the top four points leaders.

The activities begin at 6 p.m. Saturday with an autograph session and the paddock will be open to spectators. The opening ceremonies will begin at 7 p.m. and the first race is slated to go at 7:30 p.m.

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Danny Carson, senior transportation manager, unloads one of two trucks that follow the American Motorcycle Association circuit in preparation for Saturday’s competition at the Allen County Fairgrounds.
http://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2016/06/web1_AMA.jpgDanny Carson, senior transportation manager, unloads one of two trucks that follow the American Motorcycle Association circuit in preparation for Saturday’s competition at the Allen County Fairgrounds.

By Jose Nogueras

[email protected]

Schedule

6 p.m. – Rider Autograph Session / Open Paddock to Spectators / Pre-Race Show

7 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies

7:30 p.m. – 7:38 p.m. GNC2 Heat 1 16 Riders 8 Laps (1-4 to Main) (5-16 to Semi)

7:38 p.m. – 7:46 p.m. GNC2 Heat 2 16 Riders 8 Laps (1-4 to Main) (5-16 to Semi)

7:46 p.m. – 7:54 p.m. GNC2 Heat 3 16 Riders 8 Laps (1-4 to Main) (5-16 to Semi)

7:54 p.m. – 8:02 p.m. GNC1 Heat 1 16 Riders 10 Laps (1-4 to Main) (5-16 to Semi)

8:02 p.m. – 8:10 p.m. GNC1 Heat 2 16 Riders 10 Laps (1-4 to Main) (5-16 to Semi)

8:10 p.m. – 8:18 p.m. GNC1 Heat 3 16 Riders 10 Laps (1-4 to Main) (5-16 to Semi)

8:18 p.m. – 8:26 p.m. Intermission

8:26 p.m. – 8:34 p.m. Dash for Cash 6 Riders 4 Laps

8:34 p.m. – 8:42 p.m. GNC2 Semi 1 18 Riders 8 Laps (1-3 to Main)

8:42 p.m. – 8:50 p.m. GNC2 Semi 2 18 Riders 8 Laps (1-3 to Main)

8:50 p.m. – 8:58 p.m. GNC1 Semi 1 18 Riders 10 Laps (1-3 to Main)

8:58 p.m. – 9:06 p.m. GNC1 Semi 2 18 Riders 10 Laps (1-3 to Main)

9:06 p.m. – 9:16 p.m Intermission

9:16 p.m. – 9:26 p.m. GNC2 Main Intro

9:26 p.m. – 9:40 p.m. GNC2 Main Event 18 Riders 16 Laps

9:40 p.m. – 9:50 p.m. GNC1 Main Intro

9:50 p.m. -10:10 p.m. GNC1 Main Event 18 Riders 25 Laps

For more information go to limahalfmile.com or call 419-991-1491

Reach Jose Nogueras at 567-242-0468 or on twitter at @JoseNogueras1