Beach Does the Black Hills Double
The much anticipated 'AdventureTrackers' AFT debut at the inaugural downtown Rick Ware Racing presented Sturgis TT (Round 13 on August 11 - the final day of the Sturgis Rally) made it a weekend of firsts, but one on which neither pavement, dirt, rain nor restart could prevent JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) from putting on yet another exhibition of all-around motorcycle mastery …
Mission AFT SuperTwins
While inclement weather pushed the planned proceedings back several hours, the event proved every bit the spectacle that was promised once the world’s elite dirt trackers finally locked handlebars on the unique hybrid racetrack laid out in the streets of downtown Sturgis, South Dakota.
While the combination of pavement turns, dirt jumps and switchbacks put the talents of even the greatest riders to the test, world-class dirt tracker/roadracer Beach looked to be in his natural environment - powering into the lead from pole and immediately threatening to sap all tension right from the race’s opening lap.
However, despite Beach’s best efforts, reigning Grand National Champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Rogers Racing/SDI Racing/Indian Motorcycle FTR750) managed to inject the Main Event with an abundance of drama soon enough.
The nine-time series king sank down the order at the light due to a poor launch, getting clipped and nearly taken out by Sammy Halbert (No. 69 OnlyFans/Martin Trucking Yamaha MT-07) as he was swallowed up by the pack. Trapped down in eighth early, Mees threw in a hard overtake on Brandon Price (No. 92 Memphis Shades/Sody Ent/OTBR Yamaha MT-07) entering the dirt section. That attempt resulted in contact, which knocked his opponent over and brought a stop to the race.
Not the first crash ever seen in downtown Sturgis - but the first to be sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing!
However, the red flag only temporarily delayed Beach’s escape to victory. Peoria TT winner Briar Bauman (No. 3 Rick Ware Racing/KTM/Parts Plus KTM 790 Duke) got away well in second following the restart, but the Estenson Racing substitute rider systemically eked away, one and two tenths per lap, before finally working his way to a 1.715-second margin of victory.
The win was Beach’s second in the week, backing up his win at the Rapid City Black Hills Half-Mile five days earlier. It also increased his career TT wins total to nine, equal to Steve Eklund for third all-time, and now trailing only Henry Wiles and Chris Carr. It also saw him set the new standard for wins at the most different TT courses at six.
Bauman, meanwhile, held on for second, this despite the late-race charge of Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JMC Motorsports/Fairway Ford Ohio Indian FTR750), who finally earned his first podium of the ‘24 season by finishing third after several near misses along the way.
Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750) limped his way to fourth after injuring his foot in the Mission #2Fast#Tasty Challenge, colliding with the wall while harrying Beach for the win; with Mees taking fifth - pulling him further clear of second-ranked (and tenth-placed) Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) in the title chase.
Meanwhile, Sammy Halbert (No. 69 OnlyFans/Martin Trucking Yamaha MT-07), Max Whale (No. 18 Latus Motors Racing/Liqui Moly Harley-Davidson XG750R), Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Mission Foods/Zanotti Racing Indian FTR750) and Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650) were sandwiched between the championship leaders in sixth through ninth, respectively.
On AFT's downtown Sturgis debut, there were two Yamaha MT-07 riders in the Top 10, five on the Indian FTY750, and a single KTM 790 Duke, Harley XG750R and Royal Enfield 650.
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
Kody Kopp (No. 1 Rick Ware Racing/Parts Plus KTM 450 SX-F) did his part in ensuring the historic nature of the Arrowhead Brass Sturgis TT. The double-defending class champion earned his first career TT victory at the event, which upped his record-setting tally of wins to 21, completed his quest for a Singles Grand Slam, and moved him that much closer to an unprecedented third Parts Unlimited AFT Singles crown.
Kopp figured to be in for a serious fight when rival (and experienced roadracer) Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) grabbed the holeshot. But rather than let that become a problem, Kopp executed an aggressive pass as the two transitioned onto the dirt section for the first time.
On-form Tarren Santero (No. 75 Vinson Construction/P&M Motorcycles Honda CRF450R) harried Drane all the way to the checkered flag, stealing second, with Drane third, Chase Saathoff (No. 88 JPG Motorsports Honda CRF450R) fourth and Bronson Pearce (No. 132 Scott Cason @ USA Mortgage Honda CRF450R) fifth.
AFT AdventureTrackers
As hoped and expected, the AFT AdventureTrackers made a huge impression on their eagerly awaited 15-lap debut. Featuring near-stock ADV (Dual Adventure) bikes piloted by riders from a diverse set of racing backgrounds - including dirt track, roadracing, enduro, Super Hooligan and stunt - the AFT AdventureTrackers competitors treated fans to a one-of-a-kind demonstration that illustrated the full potential of the versatile machines.
And none did so as effectively as a pair of full-time flat trackers in Dan Bromley (No. 62 Sody Enterprises/Memphis Shades/Vinson Honda Africa Twin) and Sammy Halbert (No. 69 Triumph Racing Triumph Tiger 1200).
The two ran off at the front, Bromley looking smooth and controlled, while Halbert was all aggression and excitement. Halbert took the lead momentarily, but a bobble allowed Bromley right back through and once again in control.
However, any and all potential for last-lap fireworks was erased when Bromley momentarily lost the power on his Honda, handing first position - and ultimately the win - to Halbert on the Triumph.
Five-time Enduro World Champion Iván Cervantes (Triumph Racing Triumph Tiger 1200) worked his way around four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick (No. 64 Saddlemen Race Development Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250) to secure second place as the two completed a star-studded podium.
Robby McLendon (No. 169 Triumph Racing Triumph Tiger 1200) and Kole King (No. 80 Triumph Racing/Triumph Indianapolis Triumph Tiger 1200) made it four Triumphs in the top five, followed by pre-race favorite Frankie Garcia (No. 14 Saddlemen Race Development Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250), whose shot at the win stalled off the line.
All nine starters finished, with six Triumph Tiger 1200 riders, two H-D Pan Americas and the sole Honda Africa Twin.
Pos Rider
1 Sammy Halbert
2 Ivan Cervantes
3 Danny Eslick
4 Robby McLendon
5 Kole King
6 Frankie Garcia
7 Dan Bromley
8 Ernie Vigil
9 Nick Brocha
Next Up: The Springfield Mile Double Header at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on August 31 and September 1; the final race will see a September 14 series debut Short Track at the Lake Ozark Speedway at Eldon, Missouri, during the Lake of The Ozarks Bike Week.