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Loveland CO Bloomington IL

Friday, 27 January 2012 13:39

Loveland CO – 13 January 2012

I almost was unable to make this race due to the weather. Thursday night into Friday morning we had a lot of snow. I was flying out on Friday morning for a Friday night race---cutting it close. My Friday morning flight out of Flint MI was cancelled. I called around, trying to get out of there, but the earliest the airline could was that day about 6 PM, way too late. Since I was getting refunded for my ticket, I jumped on “Cheap Tickets’ and found one that went out later but was out of Detroit. I booked that and was on my way. I got there with no trouble and it worked out well because the races’ announcer as well as the referee were on that same flight so I was able to hitch a ride with them to the Budweiser Events Center.

I won both of my Heats and hole-shotted the Main Event, running my own race. With that, I won the 3^rd round. I flew out first thing in the morning and back home went riding on the ice outdoors. That was a lot of fun as there has not been much ice this winter and we haven’t been able to get out there much.

Bloomington IL – 21 Jan 2012

For the race in Bloomington I am able to leave from home that same morning. This is always our biggest I.C.E. event, spectator-wise and riders-wise. The pit area has always been way over-packed, but this year the arena got us a good pit area, which gave us more space and was much nicer.

I drew two pole positions for my Heats, which was the first time this year I got the pole. I hole-shotted both, winning both of my Heats, setting the fast time to put me on pole for the Main. I grabbed the start and set sail. After three had laps I cruised it home for the win.

We have one more race to go since the one to be held at Glens Fall NY was cancelled because the compressors broke down and they were unable to make ice. Instead, am going to race the local indoor race in Flint MI this weekend for the Boulis Racing Group. Next weekend, on February 4^th, is the last I.C.E. race, in Johnstown PA. And the weekend after that is the AMA Ice Race Grand Championships at Potters Lake MI, an outdoor race. That should be a lot of fun. Come out and see for yourselves!

Thanks for all the support. Jammin’ Jared Mees

Reading PA Hampton VA

Friday, 27 January 2012 13:34

Sovereign Center - Reading PA

Well, here it was, first race of the year and first race for the Indoor Ice Race Series. This first race kicked off in Reading PA which is very close to my hometown so a lot of my family and friends make their way out there to see me. This year it is a shorter schedule with only six races with the furthest one being Loveland CO.

I had the same bike and set up from years past, not wanting to mess with success. I drew two 2nd outside poles for my Heat races. In the first Heat I had Kenny Mohler and Henry Wiles, but I got the hole shot and won it. In the second Heat I came off in second place and had to pass Bryan McKenna to win it.

For the Main event I was sitting on the pole. The Motion Pro Challenge is not offered this year so there was no pressure to take it. I got the hole shot and ran my own race, winning the first race of the year.

I went back to my Mom’s house for the night, having to get up early in the morning to drive down to Hampton VA.

Hampton Coliseum - Hampton VA

I drew a 2nd off the pole and also an outside, getting a good jump to win my first Heat. In the second Heat I got pushed wide and had to work my way through the pack but I won it as well and was sitting on the pole for the Main. I was feeling really good, better than last night. I got a good launch and put in some hard two laps, took a peek over my shoulder and saw I had a good lead. I just stayed safe and out of trouble and won it. It felt good to start the year off right.

On the way home, however, we [Bryan Smith and I] did not have the greatest luck. Right as we crossed into West Virginia the alternator in my van went out. At first I didn’t think it was the alternator as it fired back up after it shut down. I had to get a flatbed tow truck to take me almost all the way back to my Mom’s, but as luck would have it, my good friends Tom McGrane and Derek Hersh saw my posting on line and came to my rescue. They had an alternator at their work place and got the van going for me. I am very grateful to them both for their help and generosity. And I was very happy, also, that my buddy Bryan was there, keeping me company and helping out. We were back on the road and got home to Michigan at 1 am on Monday morning. Boy, was it good to get home ! I was really tired. I even had to take a nap on Monday and I am not one for naps.

Thanks to all the fans and supporters. Jared Mees

Pomona

Wednesday, 09 November 2011 14:11

After the events that transpired at Calistoga, the race for the Championship became very tight , with only 8 points separating the three leaders. The only thing to do was to go to Pomona with a positive attitude. This was not a type of track in which I have been dominant in the past, but have done reasonably well on this kind of surface. Qualifying did not go well for me. I felt OK, but just did not have the times I wanted.

I was in the 3^rd Heat with Kenny Coolbeth, Johnny Lewis, Brad Baker and Willie McCoy among several other good riders. I got the hole shot and Baker and I were dicing it up left and right. Baker started to get ahead of me a bit until he crashed. That caused a red flag and a restart. I got the jump on the restart and then started to dice it up with Kenny. He was coming up along side of me and then I would lead it for a straight away and then he would come back. I ended up winning the Heat but since there was a red flag in it, I did not get a time and was therefore third pick for position in the Dash and the Main Event.

We made a small gearing change for the Dash for Cash. I came off 4^th, passed Matt Weidman and we started dicing it up. I was able to get ahead of him, ending 3^rd in the Dash. Jake Johnson had checked out, riding really well.

For the Main Event we did not make any changes. I got a decent start but went too high for the first lap and a lot of riders went by me, pushing me back to 7^th or 8^th. Luke Gough went down, bringing out a red flag and a restart. I got a decent jump and went low, getting by a few people and was up to 5^th. I was following Henry Wiles but he went down coming off turn 2. I just barely missed hitting him. We restarted with 5 laps to go, which was in my favor. I got a good jump and went to the bottom. I was mixing it up with Chris Carr, Robbie Pearson and Lewis. On the last lap I was on the bubble for finishing 2^nd in the Combined Championship points. I got by Pearson and Carr on the last lap and was able to finish in 5^th place. This was good enough for 2^ndplace in the Championship.

Jake Johnson won the race and the Championship in first class fashion. He rode a great race and, if I could not win it, I was glad that he did. He has been a long-time friend since we were little kids in the Amateur classes.

For me, it was a great year, winning 5 GNC races. In addition to coming in 2^nd in the Combined GNC Championship, I won the GNC Twins Championship, plus both the Singles and the Twins Championships in the Steve Nace All Star Series. And let’s not forget the ICE Championship earlier in the year.

;

We had a lot of success on the Twins this year. Brent Armbruster did a great job with the bikes, always immaculately prepared, and much of my success was due to him. Steve Beattie was also of great help to our program, not only with his Suspension systems but with his friendship and counsel.

We now know our weak points and know what we need to work on for next year. I am already excited about 2012 and feel that ifDaytona Bike Week were next week, I would be as excited, and more ready than ever. I am not looking forward to the down time in the off season...I want to get out there and compete.

I want to thank all of my Sponsors and Supporters, but especially to Rogers Lake Racing, Blue Springs Harley Davidson and Screamin' Eagle for my Twins, to Montgomery Cycle Center for my Singles, as well as to Saddlemen, Lucas Oil, Digger Helm and Gene Cummings. Thank you for all your help in making my career possible.

I look forward to seeing everyone in Daytona 2012. Have a great winter and Happy Holidays to all.

Jammin’ Jared Mees - # 9

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