DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The Lima Half-Mile presented by Indian Motorcycle runs Saturday at the Allen County Fairgrounds.
The series can count on a huge gathering of loyal and knowledgeable fans to turn out for the Lima Half-Mile and provide a spectacular atmosphere at the Allen County Fairgrounds.
The Lima Half-Mile presents a different sort of challenge to the riders, including the pea-gravel dirt track which provides a cushion favoring the bold and the decisive.
Points leader Jared Mees (No. 9 Indian Motorcycle Rogers Racing Scout FTR750) isn’t only the winner of three Lima Half-Miles and the owner of an active two-race win streak, he’s also this weekend’s event promoter.
“The Lima Half-Mile — the best race on earth, and the best time of the year besides Christmas,” Mees said with a laugh. “This place of course has got a lot of sentimental value. It was my first Grand National Main event win, and I’ve won the race three times. Also, it’s basically now my hometown track, and of course my wife (Nichole) and I promote the event, so I’m very heavily looking forward to this race.
“On the racing side of things, we want to continue doing what we’ve been doing and that’s winning. I would also like to win on a half-mile because it would also complete a grand slam in a single season — winning all four disciplines of flat track races – is actually something that I would like to try to get done this year.”
Last year – Mees’ first Lima Half-Mile as racer-promoter – he watched another rider climb atop the podium. Harley-Davidson’s Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Harley-Davidson Factory Flat Track Team XG750R) took top honors, extending Harley-Davidson’s remarkable success at the Lima Half-Mile where the manufacturer has scored the last 21 Main Event victories in succession.
Robinson’s teammates, Kenny Coolbeth (No. 2 Harley-Davidson Factory Flat Track Team XG750R) and Jake Johnson (No. 5 Harley-Davidson Factory Flat Track Team XG750R) have 23 and five half-mile victories respectively.
Recent history suggests the Indian Wrecking Crew will be difficult to contain again Saturday. Lima’s characteristics are not only well-suited to Mees’ style – they also play right into the strengths of the similarly-armed Bryan Smith (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle Racing backed by Allstate Scout FTR750) and Brad Baker (No. 6 Indian Motorcycle Racing backed by Allstate Scout FTR750), who boast one prior win apiece in Lima.
Smith also has four main event wins, including the season’s sole half-mile to date in Charlotte. However, he’s now looking to swing the momentum back in his direction after watching Mees steal it away in recent weeks.
Smith said, “I haven’t won (at Lima) in a long time. I’ve been on the podium a lot there. Brad will be fast. Jared will be fast. Hopefully, I can school them.”
Also scheduled to compete are two-time Lima Half-Miller winner Sammy Halbert (No. 69 Estenson Logistics Yamaha FZ-07), who sits third in the points on the strength of three podiums and no result worse than fourth in his last six outings, fifth-ranked Jeffrey Carver Jr. (No. 23 Carver’s BBQ Kawasaki Ninja 650) and two-time Lima winner Henry Wiles (No. 17 DPC Racing Kawasaki Ninja 650).
Saturday schedule
On-track action begins with the AFT Twins and AFT Singles practice sessions at 2 p.m. with opening ceremonies commencing at 6 p.m. During opening ceremonies, former Grand National racer Tom Duma will unveil the 2017 American Flat Track Championship rings.
The night kicks off at 6:20 with the George Roeder Memorial Dash for Cash followed by the heat races at 6:30 and the mains starting at 9:25. Tickets for the Lima Half-Mile can be purchased at limahalfmile.com/tickets.
TV, Internet coverage
As part of American Flat Track’s television broadcast package with NBCSN, the cable network will air the Lima Half-Mile in a primetime telecast at 10 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 31 .
Live streaming coverage of the Lima Half-Mile can be viewed on FansChoice.tv at fanschoice.tv/watch-live/american-flat-track.
