Screamin’ Eagle Riders Set for Springfield Mile
MILWAUKEE (Nov. 5, 2007) ?Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson Wrecking Crew riders Kenny Coolbeth, Jared Mees, Bryan Smith and Joe Kopp will all be at this weekend’s California Bike Week Nationals at the Pomona (Calif.)
Fairplex fairgrounds.
The Pacific Coast Nationals flat track racing series will make its debut on Saturday ? something the Wrecking Crew riders are more than
anxious about racing in one last event this year.
Jared Mees, rider of the Blue Springs Harley-Davidson, finished in second place this season. The final race was the Sept. 29 event in
Tucson, Ariz.
“Pomona used to be the big, legendary race track back in the days when
Scotty Parker and Jay Springsteen were ruling the tracks,” Mees said.
“I’m really excited about racing there because of all the history. Another benefit to this event is that racing is usually over by now and I think it’s great that we can race this far into the year and still
race against some of the best competition.”
Joe Kopp couldn’t agree more. Kopp won the Tucson event on his Team Latus Harley-Davidson, but was looking forward to getting back on the
bike and using the winning momentum at another race.
“The season finale was supposed to be in Las Vegas and it was canceled and that was a real let down for all of us because it’s just not the way you want to end the season,” Kopp said. “This is going to be a great event because there are a lot of racers that want to end the
season on the track.”
Harley-Davidson Racing Manager Anne Paluso said it was easy to get the team to participate in the exhibition race that will be held on
Saturday.
“Our guys were thrilled about the idea of racing in California,” Paluso said. “The closest we get to the West Coast is Arizona and Nevada and it’s nice to be able to race in front of the die-hard racing fans of Southern California. We’re proud to be part of the first California Bike Week Nationals and we hope it becomes an annual event.” Mees just wants to race ? especially in an event with wide-open
regulations.
“It’s great that Harley-Davidson found another way to help us race before the year is over,” Mees said. “I couldn?t be happier about this particular race because you can race anything. It doesn’t matter what kind of tire you use, what kind of fuel you have. You can bring the best fire-breathing beast you have and race it and fans are going to see a lot of different bikes, brands and everything else. It’s going to
be a lot of fun.”
Unlike the rest of the Wrecking Crew, Kopp has raced in Pomona before.
He hopes that translates into an advantage on the track.
“We haven’t raced in Pomona since about 1999 so it’s been a while,” Kopp said. “The fans are great in Southern California and I can’t wait to get back there and put on a good show. I’ve been looking forward to being able to get back on the track and this is the perfect way to end
the season.”
The flat track race is just one a dozens of events that make up California Bike Week. The 24th annual Love Ride ? the world’s largest one-day charity motorcycle ride ? will take place on Sunday. The AHDRA racers will be blazing down the Auto Club Raceway surface on Friday and Saturday. More information can be found on the event
website: www.calweek.com
– California Bike Week/Love Ride auction in conjunction with Bonham & Butterfield?s Friday, Nov. 9 at the world-famous Petersen Automotive Museum – All Harley-Davidson Drag Racing Association (AHDRA) racing on the famous NHRA drag strip, with exhibitions by the Harley-Davidson? Screamin? Eagles team, Friday and Saturday – Music and festivities each day of California Bike Week – Debut of The Pacific Coast Nationals flat track races Saturday night featuring the Harley-Davidson? Wrecking Crew and notable racers of AMA fame. This event is open to all pro-level competitors, American and metric. This event will be produced by legendary flat track racer Gene Romero ? an anticipated event not to be missed! – Exhibitions by the Victor McLaglen Motor Corps Stunt Team – ?Ball of Steel? freestyle stunt team demonstrations – Demo rides provided by the top major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) – Enthusiast trade show with hundreds of quality vendors, including the interactive Harley-Davidson? Village and traveling museum?their first time in Pomona – Sunday?s 24th annual Love Ride,? and anticipated headlining concert benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Reading by 9 and Cure Autism Now (entertainment announcement coming soon!) – Huge complimentary barbecue for Love Riders – A Veteran?s Day tribute ceremony – AND FREE PARKING ALL WEEKEND FOR ALL MOTORCYCLISTS! 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.
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