MEES DOMINATES LONE STAR HALF-MILE
A
MA Pro Racing came to
Austin, Texas, April 9, for
the first time with the Harley-
Davidson Lone Star Half-Mile
running in conjunction with the
big "MotoGP Weekend" at the
Circuit of the Americas.
Defending AMA Pro Racing
Grand National Champion Jared
Mees withstood the challenges
of the "bull ring" half-mile oval
and an ultra competitive field in
the Harley-Davidson GNC 1 pre-
sented by Vance & Hines 25-lap
main event.
Despite an eighth-place
qualifying time and a third-place
finish in his heat, Las Vegas
Harley-Davidson/Rogers Rac-
ing-backed Mees roared quickly
to the front in the main. Mees
grabbed second on lap four and
set out after early leader Brad
Baker (Harley-Davidson Motor
Company/Vance & Hines). Sud-
denly on lap eight Baker's race
was over as he coasted off the
track in turn two.
"I just got into second and
had passed Pearson and was
able to get into my rhythm," said
Mees. "I was getting Brad going
into three and really in one and
two. I was thinking that I was
going to catch him and then I
saw him break. That was hugely
unfortunate for him, of course. It
happens, it really does."
The day's fast qualifier Rob
Pearson was flexing the mus-
cles of his R&R Racing/Big
Dog/Country Saloon-backed
Harley-Davidson and settled
into second when Baker had his
misfortune.
"I felt good all day, the Harley
was working," said Pearson. "At
the beginning of the main event I
got a good jump then Jared got
by me and showed me that I was
exiting turn two too high. I got
IN
THE
WIND
P40
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY
DAVE
HOENIG
