American Flat Track's reigning twins champion Jared Mees continued his winning mile form this season with back-to-back victories in both Springfield Mile races taking his season's tally to four mile wins with two still remaining - Minnesota and Meadowlands.
Full tuck - head down, left hand in - FTR 750 at 130 mph: Jared Mees Springfield Mile I
Springfield Mile: Race 1
The first race turned into a fierce head-to-head between Jeffrey Carver and Mees. They were off the mark fast and managed to gap the rest of the pack in the early stages. Carver sat on the Champ's rear wheel for almost the first half of the race, making his first pass on lap 13. The lead then changed hands several times but with three laps to go and Mees leading, Carver hit the front again. The Jammer patiently bided his time until the final lap making a pass on the entry into turn 3 and although Carver switched back underneath, Mees was ready and positioned himself perfectly for the draft to the line to win by 0.24 seconds. Big shout out for Briar Bauman who grabbed a fine third place having started in 17th after using his provisional start for the final following a mechanical issue. Dave Hoenig's photo shows the final blast along the home straight for the line between Mees #1 Indian FTR 750 and Jeffrey Carver #23 also on an FTR 750. Full tuck and 'banging bars' at about 130 mph!
Jared Mees and Jeffrey Carver final sprint for the flag: Springfield Mile I
Race 2
Sunday's second race ended up being carried over until the Monday due to heavy rain. It turned out to be an epic battle with the main pack staying clustered up and was hailed as one of the great mile encounters. Gary Inman of Sideburn Mag stated in his blog that it was the greatest mile race he had ever seen - and he's seen a few! To give an idea of just how close it was, a mere 0.653 seconds separated the first ten riders across the finishing line!
The leading pack of ten riders exit turn four and accelerate up to 130 mph: Springfield Mile II
Mees's victory was particularly special as he had encountered mechanical issues in his semi final and had to use his provisional start card to get through to the main. He started in last position from row four and fought his way through the field during the first ten laps to join the front pack. As they entered the final corner, all ten riders were in with a chance of taking the flag but Mees got the job done by 0.083 seconds from Briar Bauman in second and his bro, Bronson Bauman, in third.
Jared Mees #1 on the Indian FTR 750
Round up
Following the double Springfield Mile wins, Mees narrowed the points deficit between himself and Briar Bauman to twenty-five points but in the next round, the Williams Grove Half Mile, Bauman extended it back to thirty-five with a win as Mees could only finish fourth. With two rounds remaining, Mees could well nail both the remaining miles and bag fifty points. But Briar Bauman will only need sixteen points from the remaining two rounds to take the title. It's now his Championship to lose.
A big thank you to Dave Hoenig of Flat Track Fotos for the phenomenal Springfield Mile shots for this blog. Also, please remember to check out the current edition of Sideburn Magazine - THE leading publication for flat track enthusiasts edited by Gary Inman. The current edition - issue 38 (on sale now), includes an exceptional piece by Gary on our two US flat track riders' (Jared and Shayna Texter) performances in the Lima Half Mile.
Next round: round 17 - Minnesota Mile Saturday 21st Spetember
Red Torpedo official Jared Mees and Shayna Texter apparel available on-line at: www.redtorpedousa.com
📷 Dave Hoenig
