FARLEY SPEEDWAY TO HOST ITS FIRST AMA PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE FLAT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP RACE
02 August 2004 - AMA Pro Racing

The first half of the 2004 AMA Progressive Insurance Flat Track Championship is slated to come to a close this Saturday, Aug. 7, at Farley Speedway located in the Northeastern Iowa town of Farley.

This weekend’s race, round nine of the 18-race series, marks the first visit of the AMA Grand Nationals to Farley Speedway.

Defending series champ Chris Carr leads the standings at the mid-season mark. The Quality Checked Certified Pre-Owned Ford-sponsored rider from Fleetwood, Pa., has scored three victories in the eight races leading up to Farley. Carr is expected to be one of the favorites Saturday on the yellow clay, banked half-mile speedway.

Trailing Carr by just 14 points is 2000 AMA Grand National Champion Joe Kopp. Kopp, of Mica, Wash. Kopp has scored three straight podium finishes in the series, including a victory in Lima, Ohio at the end of June on his KTM USA/Jones Powersports-backed machines.

Kopp’s teammate Ken Coolbeth is looking forward to getting back to the state of Iowa. The Warren, Conn., rider won the race in Davenport last month and is a solid third in the series standings.

''We can anticipate a highly competitive race,'' said Joe Hayes, Farley Speedway. ''Motorcycle fans have a huge presence in this area, so we’re glad we can give people the chance to experience flat track racing at its best. There will be plenty of excitement for everyone who attends, from the riders to the audience.''

While this is a new track for the all the riders, the conditions are similar to those of other clay half-mile tracks in the series. ''As most of our fans know, riding on a clay surface means more than just horsepower or the rider with the fastest bike,'' said AMA Flat Track Manager Bruce Bober. ''It will come down to the rider with the best technique to win the race.''

Iowa racing fans will have home state hero to cheer on in Harley-Davidson factory rider Rich King. King, From Dysart, Iowa, comes into the race in Farley ranked 17th in the series and has a win to his credit so far this season.

Farley Speedway is located on Olde Farley Road off of US Route 20. Pit gates open at 2:00 p.m., grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m., with opening ceremonies beginning at 7:30 p.m. and racing starting at 8:00 p.m. Practice and qualifying heats begin at 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., respectively.

In addition to the featured AMA Grand National, Farley Speedway will also host a round of the Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance Series. Christopher Hart, of Farmington, N.Y., leads that series on his Lombardi Harley-Davidson-sponsored Sportster.

For additional information contact Farley Speedway at (563) 744-3620 or visit the track’s website at www.simmonspromotionsinc.com.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

SATURDAY, AUGUST 7, 2004

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Registration at the track

2:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. - Tech Inspection at the track

4:30 p.m. - Riders Meeting

5:00 p.m. - Practice

6:00 p.m. - Qualifying heats

7:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - Opening Ceremonies

8:00 p.m. - 8:10 p.m. - 1st Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance Heat

8:10 p.m. - 8:20 p.m. - 2nd Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance Heat

8:20 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. - 3rd Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance Heat

8:30 p.m. - 8:40 p.m. - 1st Progressive Insurance Grand National Heat

8:40 p.m. - 8:50 p.m. - 2nd Progressive Insurance Grand National Heat

8:50 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - 3rd Progressive Insurance Grand National Heat

9:00 p.m. - 9:10 p.m. - 4th Progressive Insurance Grand National Heat

9:10 p.m. - 9:25 p.m. - HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER PERFORMANCE FINAL

9:25 p.m. - 9:35 p.m. - Victory Circle for Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance Final

9:35 p.m. - 9:45 p.m. - 1st Progressive Insurance Grand National Semi

9:45 p.m. - 9:55 p.m. - 2nd Progressive Insurance Grand National Semi

9:55 p.m. - 10:05 p.m. - 3rd Progressive Insurance Grand National Semi

10:20 p.m. - 10:35 p.m. - AMA PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE GRAND NATIONAL FINAL

10:40 p.m. - Victory Circle for Grand National

For immediate post-race results, points, in-depth series and rider information, regular columnists and much more, log onto www.1800FlatTrack.com, the official website of the AMA Progressive Insurance Flat Track Championship.

About AMA Pro Racing

AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its properties include the THQ AMA Supercross Series, the AMA Chevrolet Motocross Championship, the AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship, the AMA Progressive Insurance Flat Track Championship and the AMA Supermoto Championship.

www.amaproracing.com

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