Advancing straight to the Main by finishing third in the Heat race, Mick would take 12th pick of the grid, in the 18 rider, 25 lap Main. Kirkness spent the opening laps running as high as eighth before the Suzuki started losing coolant, sending him back to eleventh. It was at this time that the red flag came out after a spectacular crash by team-mate JR Schnabel, who was swapping the lead with Henry Wiles and Joe Kopp.
Mick was able to re-hydrate the RMZ450 during the small break to get the riders in order for the single file restart. The restart would minimise the gap between the field, and Mick took full advantage, with some determined riding, in four quick laps he had moved up to sixth, when another red flag was waved.
Mick used the second restart just as well, slotting into fifth, then moving to fourth over the next few laps. With two laps remaining, JR Schnabel completed his fantastic race, passing Mick after coming from the rear of the field due to his lap 13 crash.
Wiles would take the win, his second of the year, with
Jake Johnson and Kopp rounding out the podium.
Wiles‰Ûªs performance in front of the 17,000 strong crowd not only moved him to second in the series, but also added his name as the second rider in 61 years to win 4 in row at Peoria, the other is
Chris Carr who finished sixth on the day.
Second in points coming into the TT, defending Champion
Kenny Coolbeth missed out making the Main, which has gifted Johnson a huge opportunity to take his second Singles Championship, having only to finish 12th in the final round at Springfield IL on America‰Ûªs Labour Day Weekend (Aug 30-Sept1). The Singles Championship will be decided on Saturday, followed by the legendary Springfield Mile on Sunday, and a make up Memorial Day race on the Monday.
After completing his second Main Event, Mick now sits in 14th in the Singles, with 24 points, and 21st in the Overall Grand National Series out of 42 point scorers.
Kirkness is supported by Dave Burks Motorsports, Suzuki Dealers of Australia, Chris Watson Motorcycles (Cessnock) and O‰ÛªNeal Clothing.
Dave Burks Motorsports and American Suzuki are the team behind
Jake Johnson and Glen JR Schnabel. They compete on the Suzuki RMZ450 in the Singles, and TL1000 in the Twins.
Finishing order 2008 Peoria TT:
1st Henry Wiles #17
2nd Jake Johnson #14
3rd Joe Kopp # 3
4th Glen JR Schnabel #33
5th Mick Kirkness #28W
6th Chris Carr #4
7th Rob Pearson #27
8th Jared Mees #21
9th Shaun Russell #28
10th Sammy Halbert #43
11th Nick Cummings #22
12th Jesse Janisch #45
13th Brian Bigelow #11
14th Bryan Smith #42
15th Steve Murray #51
16th Matthew Weidman #73B
17th Brandan Bergen #26
18th Josh Butler #36
Letters next to a number represent riders who have not yet obtained a national number.
For more information on the series and some great race photos check out
amaflattrack.com
