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Super Hooligans And The Inaugural Superprestigio Of The Americas

Article & Photos By: Chris Callen

Photos By: Todd Williams

Originally Published In The February 2016 Issue Of Cycle Source Magazine

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The stage was set, the hype had been made and the lights were on. The Super Hooligan races that we had all been hearing so much about were about to be underway. But wait, the stage that was set here was so much more than I had initially realized that I need to back up for a minute. It all began when Indian Motorcycles invited Cycle Source to the press event for the new Scout 60. We would, as part of our adventure, be taking in the Super Hooligan races at the inaugural SuperPrestigio of the Americas. This event in itself was an amazing tale that I must lay on you cats. You see the AMA ran their Pro Flat Track Finals the night before in the arena of the Orleans hotel. It was everything you would expect from short track with tight fast action and the end of the night saw Jarred Mees as the 2015 Grand National Champion. The second night’s event saw a race that was a step back in time, almost reminiscent for this moto-journalist of the old ABC Wide World of Spots “Super Bikers” for those that can remember that far back. Titled the SuperPrestigio of the America’s it was a series of races comprised of riders from several disciplines and some that were right out of the motorcycle history books. Not since Jeff Ward came out of retirement to race Super Moto was there such an interesting twist put on a race. I got the chance to speak with Chris Carr, a legend in flat Track and a true ambassador to the sport.

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Chris was the color commentator for this event and said this was an idea the AMA is trying to model from a previous event in Spain. The plan is that down the road this event could be part of a Triple Crown of Flat Track Racing on a global level. What I could sense is that with the format changes in the SPOA was that it was a race for the average fan. The heats were so fast, the first 12 finished 15 minutes ahead of schedule as a matter of fact. But it made it so you could watch without a race program or any fan history. We were quick to pick heroes and identify track rivalries, it was honestly a ton of fun. That’s what Chris is trying to get pumped back into the AMA program when it comes to flat track racing, it all comes down to the fun factor. This is part of an initiative that will try to answer the question of how to get the younger audience interested in these great events.

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When you add in riders like Roger Hayden, Larry Pegram with past and present champions of the sport like Mees, Brad Baker and Kenny Coolbeth, Jr, it was an all-star event, and the racing action reflected that. The final race saw Jarred Mees take the inaugural win, proving that the idea of a triple crown is indeed possible. When it came to Sands and his Super Hooligans it would again take racing back in history, to a place where all brands and anyone with the plug to do it could get out and race. Sponsored by Indian Motorcycles who put up a brand new Indian Scout 60 for the first place winner, the Super Hooligan’s would be comprised of a few RSD prepared Indian Scouts, a few Harleys and a Yamaha. It was like a scene out of On Any Sunday and one I’m sure we will see replayed again. Thor Drake (Indian) from See See Motorcycles took home the win and a brand new Indian Scout Sixty. Number 2. was Chris Wiggins (Harley- Davidson) and Roland Sands (Indian) finished out the podium. This was a win for everyone that raced that night though. It marked the point where the “Industry” realized the ties that the young “Hooligans” have to the heart of what we do and if they include what we do it will all be the better for it.

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