Bob Hunt Photographer

When the skies cleared Saturday afternoon and the sun came out I gathered up my camera equipment and headed to the Peoria Speedway. They were hosting the AMA Holeshot Series. There were a total of twenty-nine races that included 50cc racers, Open Quads, Seniors and Pro/Expert singles. The event was brought to you by Steve Nace Racing Promotions. Click here if you would like to purchase photos.

-Bob

Traveled over to U.S. Cellular Coliseum to photograph the Ice Racing event in Bloomington, IL. Jammin’ Jared Mees dominated the professional motorcycle racing program winning easily. Kevin Anderson placed second and Jake Mataya finished third. Current tour points leader and defending ICE champion “Wild Child” Mandy Brodil won both of her heat races, but was DQ’ed after she was wrecked and was unable to get her ATV up and running in time and finished 8th in the main event for Unlimited Outlaw Quads. Ryan Jensen of Neola, IA won the event with Drew Bergquist finishing second and Justin Ebbing placing third.

-Bob

Henry Wiles picked up his seventh consecutive victory on Sunday at the famed Peoria Motorcycle Club racetrack. Wiles had reconstructive surgery on his left knee just four months ago. His seven-race win streak is second only to Chris Carr’s eight wins in a row from 1988-1995. And it’s tied for second on the all-time win list with Joe Leonard, who won seven TT’s between 1953 and 1961. Carr, who finished sixth in his final Peoria TT, has won the August Grand National race a record 13 times. Jared Mees finished second 1.59 seconds behind Wiles, Sammy Halbert finished third while Jake Johnson took fourth place and Morton, IL rider Rob Pearson was fifth. Most of the riders wore special Gary Nixon jerseys to commemorate to death of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer.

-Bob

It was like a well written Hollywood movie script as Chris Carr won the main event at Peoria Speedway on his Farewell to Flat Track Tour. The 44-year old seven-time AMA Flat Track champion battled Sammy Halbert and edged him at the finish line. Carr, nicknamed the “Prince of Peoria” for his 13 wins at the Peoria Motorcycle Club. Finishing in third placewas Jared Mees from Clio, MI. Chris had not won a race in Peoria since 2001. This is his final season and Sunday at the Grand Nationals will be his Peoria TT race. His wife Pam rode on the back of his bike as he took his victory lap saluting all of the fans who gave him a standing ovation. The two met in Peoria in 1994 and our the proud parents of two young sons.

-Bob

Michigan Pro Jared Mees held off Brad Baker of Chehalis, WA and Rob Pearson of Morton, IL to capture the All-Star Nationals Flat Track main event at the Peoria Motorcycle Club. The win was Mees’ fourth in the last three weeks. Here are the results from the other classes at Thunder Valley on Sunday. Mikey Martin of Acampo, CA won the Pro Singles race, Galesburg rider Mike Caves won the Vintage Twins main event and Cole Anderson of Cambridge, MN took the 450 Amateur race.

-Bob