Progressive AFT – News – Beach Does the Dakota Double, AFT AdventureTrackers Put on a Show in Arrowhead Brass Sturgis TT Debut
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 in Sunday’s Arrowhead Brass Sturgis TT presented by Rick Ware Racing & The CAT Rental Store, Round 13 of the 2024 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing.
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.
And while the combination of pavement turns, dirt jumps and switchbacks put the talents of even the greatest Mission AFT SuperTwins riders to the test, world-class dirt tracker/roadracer Beach looked to be in his natural environment.
Beach powered into the lead from pole and immediately threatened 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 after.
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.
But 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 and hounded Beach for a time, but in time, the Estenson Racing substitute rider systemically eked away, one and two tenths per circulation, before finally working his way to a 1.715-second margin of victory.
The triumph was Beach’s second in the week, backing up his Tuesday night win at the Black Hills Half-Mile.
It also increased his career TT wins total to nine, equal to Steve Eklund for third all-time and now training only Henry Wiles and Chris Carr. It also saw him set the new standard for wins at the most different TT courses at six.
“It’s been a great three rounds, but this round was amazing,” Beach said. “I’ve got to give it up to the whole fanbase.
All of the fans were going crazy all day long, and so many people stuck it out despite all the rain. I think this race was awesome.
And I’ve got to thank the Estenson Racing Monster team for letting me come out and do these three rounds to fill in for Dallas (Daniels). I’m bummed he’s not here because I know he would have given me a run for my money too, but it’s been a real good three races.”
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.
And for all the excitement, Jared Mees (No. 1 Rogers Racing/SDI Racing/Indian Motorcycle FTR750) completed what must be considered a successful evening in fifth, as that result pulled 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) sandwiched between the championship leaders in sixth through ninth, respectively.
Mees’ advantage now sits at a healthy 22 points (251-229) with three rounds remaining, with Bauman closing in on second at 224.
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 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.
Once through, Kopp simply set sail at the front. Drane might have liked to formulate a plan to strike back at Kopp but was instead forced to worry about what was behind him as a pack of five riders closed in on his rear wheel – a group headed by an on-form Tarren Santero (No. 75 Vinson Construction/P&M Motorcycles Honda CRF450R).