VOLUME ISSUE DECEMBER , P111
layer of significance whenever
that history gets rewritten, and
particularly so with its most
cherished records.
The sport and its fans are cur-
rently fortunate to play witness
to such a revision as it unfolds
in real time.
Of course, its author is living
legend Jared Mees, who spent
2023 equaling the once thought
untouchable record of nine
Grand National Championships
posted by the sport's acknowl
-
edged GOAT, Scott Parker.
Reigning Mission SuperTwins
king Mees is a throwback racer
if there ever was one. Gritty,
relentless, and adaptable, the
Indian ace has earned titles via
outright domination, built upon
wins and podium streaks. And
he's pieced together others with
a steady collection of thirds,
fourths, and sevenths, whatever
was necessary for each individ
-
ual circumstance and season to
render the same ultimate result.
With time left on the clock,
Mees' career has spanned
multiple generations of heroes
and machines, serving as a tie
between the Harley-Davidson
XR750 heyday of Scott Parker
and Chris Carr, through the sub
-
sequent era of Kenny Coolbeth,
Sammy Halbert, Jake Johnson,
and Bryan Smith, right up to the
modern day, one that sees multi
-
ple manufacturers pit up against
one another as a new generation
of superstars takes shape.
While he has shown no signs
of backing down now, Mees'
career-defining achievement
of a ninth GNC serves as an
appropriate time to take stock
of what he's accomplished to
date. And it turns out #9 was in
his sights even before he scored
#8 in 2022. Far, far earlier as it
turns out.
"Deep down inside, I always
wanted to be that guy," Mees
says. "Thinking about nine cham
-
pionships when you're sitting at
home with none, well, you don't
go around bragging or talking too
With 72 career wins,
only two riders have
more wins than Mees—
Scott Parker (94) and
Chris Carr (78).
