Great photo of Slammin' Sammy at Daytona 2011

Great shot by Andrea Wilson seen on Cycle News, of AGV Dainese Sammy Halbert during his successful Daytona weekend. Sammy scored two wins back to back at the season opener.

Congrats Bud!

Sammy is wearing his AGV AX-8 motocross helmet in the Kaleidoscope graphics

AGV Dainese’s Sammy Halbert does it again at Daytona

Costa Mesa, CA – March 15^th, 2011

Always know for charging and never giving up, Slammin’ Sammy goes for a double-header at Daytona Short Track for the 2011 season opener.

It is in dominant fashion, even winning with a 5 seconds lead on the second night, that et Halbert and his Woody Kyle Racing/Fredericktown Yamaha took victory on both nights at the AMA Pro Grand National singles championship.  Sporting his new AGV AX-8 Kaleidoscope, Sammy looked comfortable all weekend, confirming the speed he displayed last year on this track.

When the series return to the track at round 3 in Du Quoin, Illinois, on April 16^th, the AGV Dainese rider will try to confirm his lead in the series and position himself as a contender for the 2011 title.

Halbert Does It Again At Daytona

Nobody Can Stop Sammy Halbert by Cycle News

DAYTONA BEACH, FL., MARCH 11 - From the time a wheel was turned in anger at the Daytona Short Track this year, if your name wasn't Sammy Halbert then you were racing for second place. If that wasn't a certainty after last night's victory, it most definitely was tonight as Halbert made it look easy in completely dominating qualifying, his heat race, the Dash For Cash and the National. And when the 25 laps were in the books, Halbert had half a lap lead on second place and he did it without breaking a sweat.

"This is what we expected," Halbert said. "We had so much speed at this track last year. I know how to set up my bike and I know how to ride this track."

Halbert and his Woody Kyle Racing/Fredericktown Yamaha crossed the finish line some five seconds ahead of Johnny Lewis, the former Supermoto racer having the best flat track weekend of his young career with the second place tonight bettering his third from last night.

But even that was nothing compared to the weekend that Halbert had: Two heat race wins, two Dash For Cash wins and two National wins. It all adds up to a 16-point lead in the championship after two races. Not a bad weekend if your name is Halbert.

Third place tonight went to Brad Baker, the rookie earning the first Expert podium of his career in just his second race as an Expert. Baker finished fourth last night.

Fourth tonight was Jake Johnson, the defending AMA Grand National Champion almost seven seconds behind Halbert and barely ahead of former Grand National Champion Kenny Coolbeth Jr.

Matt Weidman was sixth with Jared Mees seventh. Chad Cose had his best Expert-class finish in eighth and Henry Wiles and rookie Jeffrey Carver Jr. rounded out the top 10.

Short Track Final
1. Sammy Halbert (Yamaha)
2. Johnny Lewis (Honda)
3. Brad Baker (Honda)
4. Jake Johnson (Honda)
5. Kenny Coolbeth Jr. (Kawasaki)

Team Dainese 2010 riders

On the eve of the first MotoGP of the 2010 season, here's a quick recap of who are the Dainese racers:

Moto GP
Jorge Lorenzo
Marco Simoncelli
Valentino Rossi

Moto 2

Stefan Bradl
Yannick Guerra
Simone Giorgi Grotzkyj
Fonsi Nieto

125 cc
Marcel Schroetter
Luca Vitali
Lorenzo Salvadori

National Championships

Europe: Danilo Dell’Omo, Marco Borciani (Italy); Maxime Berger (France); Guy Martin (UK); Michael Ranseder (Austria); Joan Lascorz (Spain); Niklas Ajo (Finland)
USA: Geoff May, Aaron Yates, Blake Young, Steve Rapp, Chris Ulrich, Martin Cardenas, James Rispoli, Tray Batey, John Jacobi, Steve Atlas, Mark Junge, Sammy Halbert

AGV Dainese Sammy Halbert Leaves Daytona with great results

After winning the first night of the Daytona 2010 Short Track, taking his brand new AGV motocross helmet on the podium for the first time, Sammy had a difficult night on Day 2. Despite a great qualifiers race the start of the twenty five lap National saw Johnson on the point with Sammy Halbert right on his heels. As Halbert tried to shoot under Johnson exiting turn two he hit a slick spot starting and started a slow spin right in front of the entire field. Somehow everyone missed him and with the engine still running Halbert rejoined the chase.
While Johnson was cruising, the large crowds attention was riveted on the # 7 as Halbert caught the back of the pack by lap night and started working his way to the front, by lap fourteen he was in tenth place and still working forward. That was where the fairytale ended however as his Yamaha gave up and Sammy's night was over too soon.

In the GNC Dash Sammy Halbert showed the same speed and determination as he had with last night's win. Halbert stayed glued to the bottom while Joe Kopp had his # 3 American Agip / Latus Harley-Davidson backed Honda riding the rim.

GRAND NATIONAL POINT STANDINGS: 1. Jake Johnson (42 pts / 1 win); 2. (TIE) Henry Wiles / Joe Kopp / Johnny Lewis (34); 5. Sammy Halbert (33 / 1 win); 6. Kenny Coolbeth (32); 7. Jethro Halbert (29); 8. Jared Mees (25); 9. Bryan Smith (18); 10. Don Mullen (17).

PRO SINGLES POINT STANDINGS: 1. Jeffery Carver (42 pts / 1 win); 2. JD Beach (35 / 1 win); 3. James Rispoli (32); 4. Stephen Vanderkuur (31); 5. Brad Baker (30); 6. Mikey Avila (29); 7. Mikey Martin (19); 8. John Long (14); 9. (TIE) Cory Strickler / Mike Poe (13).

Sammy Halbert Wins First AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National to Kick Off 2010 Season

 Slammin' Sammy takes a great win at Daytona with his brother Jethro in 4th. James "The Rocket" Rispoli takes 2nd in the Single Pro. First win for the AGV off-road helmet in Dirt Track and a first podium in Single Pro.

DAYTONA BEACH, FL (March 4, 2010) - (www.amaproracing.com) AMA Pro Racing kicked off the 2010 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship before a standing room only crowd at the "World Center of Racing" on the brand new DAYTONA Flat Track.
The large crowd that braved the cold temperatures were treated to some very hot racing all night. Woody Kyle Racing / Fredericktown Yamaha / Kings Kustoms/AGV/Dainese backed Sammy Halbert blasted around early leader Joe Kopp on lap eight and pulled to over a two second lead by the end of the 25 lap National.
"I just found my line on the track and was able to get out to a good lead," said Halbert. "I looked back late in the race and had a good lead. I yelled a few times in my helmet, I was pretty sure I had it won. It's really special to be the first winner at this new facility."
Kopp had gotten the hole shot and was settling into a lead over Coolbeth when AGV Dainese's Halbert came knocking on Coolbeth's door on lap three. Halbert wasted no time in his charge to the front and by lap ten he had pretty much locked the win away.

The sixteen lap Pro Singles National got off to a rough start when JD Beach hit the ground on the first lap in turn three.The restart saw AGV Dainese's James Rispoli off first but, Jeffery Carver sliced his way into the lead on lap four and was never headed. Rispoli pressured in second while Stephen Vanderkuur grabbed the last podium position. Mikey Avila made his Pro debut a success with a fourth place finish.

RESULTS:
GNC SINGLES: 1. Sammy Halbert (Yam); 2. Henry Wiles (Kaw); 3. Jake Johnson (Hon); 4. Jethro Halbert (Yam); 5. Joe Kopp (Hon);

PRO SINGLES: 1. Jeffery Carver (Yam); 2. James Rispoli (Hon); 3. Stephen Vanderkuur (Hon); 4. Mikey Avila (Hon); 5. Brad Baker (Hon);

AGV Dainese Sammy Halbert 2009 Grand National Champion!

Congrats to Sammy for some gnarly racing and a lot of determination (despite a crash in the last Main event) to bring the Grand National home.

Here's a quick report from Pomona from Road Racer X dirt track insider Miriam Deitcher:

"In 1999, Carr ran away with the championship, finishing 65 points ahead of Rich King. The story was quite different this year as, heading into Pomona, six riders were in mathematical contention for the Grand National Championship: Sammy Halbert, Jared Mees (-1), Kopp (-4), JR Schnabel (-19), defending champ Kenny Coolbeth, (-24) and Jake Johnson (-24).
Although I consider Mees and others to be my good friends, I found myself secretly rooting for Halbert all season long. He’s just the kind of kid you want to see do well. His dad tunes his bikes, and he’s sponsored by his family. Off the track, he’s quiet, humble, and gracious. On the track, however, he’s ferocious and exciting as hell to watch. I often hear him described as a “racer’s racer” with a “win or die trying” attitude.

Halbert elevating his foot, moment after winning the Grand National Championship. - Miriam Deitcher photo

Halbert’s championship hopes almost came to an end during the Pomona main event, when he pummeled into Stevie Bonsey’s bike after the former MotoGP 125cc rider crashed. “His bike slid right in front of me, and I went up and over at high speed,” Halbert wrote in his post-race report. The crash, which catapulted Sammy ten or more feet into the air upon impact, was so scary it would’ve sent most riders packing. But not Sammy. “It looked like it was all over,” he said. “I felt like my leg might have been broken. After a few minutes, I stood up and luckily the bike wasn’t too damaged to continue.” Not only did Halbert join the single-file restart in dead last, he then proceeded to finish on the podium. All that, with a leg so messed up he could hardly walk the next day.
Halbert’s third-place finish at Pomona was just enough to edge out Kopp by one point and Mees by three to win the Grand National Championship, making 2009 the closest top-three Grand National Champion finish in AMA Flat Track history. You have to go all the way back to 1963 for the next closest, when Dick Mann, George Roeder, and Ralph White ended the season ten points apart.

The feat puts Sammy in the elite Grand National Champion club with legendary riders like Parker, Carr, Ricky Graham, and Bubba Shobert. Or does it? In 2006, AMA Pro Racing stopped recognizing the Grand National Champion. Instead, they honor the winners of the Twins and Singles series individually, but not the all-around champ. At the AMA Flat Track end-of-the-year banquet the night after Pomona, Sammy’s Grand National Championship went unmentioned."

Here's Sammy's Race Pomona report:

"Going into Pomona I was thinking I needed to just go in and get 28 points, by winning the Dash for Cash, and the GNC Main event. I then would have guaranteed myself at least second place in the AMA GNC Twins Championship, and a shot at winning if Jared Mees finished 10th or worse. I felt like all the training I have done all year has built up to this event, and I was ready to put it to good use.

The track turned out to be very challenging as they tried to make it hard packed, but the soil was too soft, and it was obvious right away that it was going to be a rough track all night. I qualified 9th but was confident I would be upfront when it came down to race time.

There was a few restarts in my heat race and I was getting shuffled backwards in most of them, I was worried as I fell back out of the top five before the restart. On the last re-start I didn't come off the line well, but I just charged into the lead through the first turn, but was soon passed by Henry Wiles. I tried my best to hang with him, but he was just a little faster. Then I had to give it everything I had to hold off challenges from Matt Weidman and JR Schnabel. Top two in this heat was crucial as it meant front row starts for the GNC Main event and Dash for Cash. I knew I had just barely kept my title hopes alive by finishing second.

The Dash for Cash just didn't go my way, I tried to find some good lines to pass, but found some bumps instead and dropped back to 6th place. Joe Kopp finished second which meant that we would be tied in the Overall Grand National Championship going into the Main event with Mees just one point behind.

In the main event I had kind of a rough time, and went backwards a little. I was running right behind Mees when all of a sudden Steve Bonsey crashed running the low line in turns three. His bike slid right in front of me,and I went up and over at high speed. I was layed out hard on the track, and it looked like it was all over, I felt like my leg might have been broken. After a few minutes I stood up, and luckily the bike wasn't to damaged to continue. I started in last place on the single file restart and worked my way around riders and continued to search for a fast line. Halfway through the race I had developed enough courage to try running the low line Thur the bumps in turn one, that turned out to be the key to my success as my Harley-Davidson XR750 was set up to handle the bumps well. I was then able to go just a little faster in each corner than everyone around me so I worked my way past Kopp, Johnson, and Carr. then I caught and passed Weidman and Mees for third, and it seemed I was catching the leaders, but it was too little to late. I finished in third place and was happy to limp onto the podium. I finished the season in third place for the AMA GNC Twins Championship, and won the "Overall Grand National Championship" by 1 point marking the closest ever top three riders in the Grand National Championship Series! I am also the first rider under 23 years old to win the Grand National Championship (combined points) since 1978.

I am so happy to end the season on such a high note by charging from last place to third in the Pomona GNC Main Event! They know I am coming for them! I also feel very honored to have won the www.flattrack.com overall Grand National Championship by having the most points in the singles and twins class for 2009.

I am looking forward to expanding my team for next year with the addition of my older brother, National #69 Jethro Halbert. I am really looking forward to working alongside him week in and week out, like we did as Amateurs. We will be stronger as a team together and will come to Daytona Bike Week prepared to gang up on the rest of the GNC Regulars.

Thanks to all my sponsors for helping to make the 2009 Racing Season a great success for me!"

Rispoli gears up for the season finale

AGV Dainese's James Rispoli is on target for his season goal. Good luck from all of us at AGV Dainese USA.

Big supports and good luck to Sammy Halbert who will be dicing it up in the AMA Pro Grand National Twins Championship where Sammy is currently 4th in points.

PR from the "Team Rispoli"

For Immediate Release

October 21, 2009 Pomona, Ca

James “the Rocket” Rispoli gears up for the season finale of the inaugural AMA Pro Singles Championship at the THE FAIRPLEX AT POMONA, CA. James has already solidified an outstanding second place finish overall out of 68 pro-riders in the championship riding while riding his Weirbach Racing team bikes. For this weekend’s final race of the season, James will be riding a bike provided by Sammy Sweet Racing as part of a one-off-race sponsorship package.

James, a multi-discipline rider came from a significant 19 point deficit after the second race of the season to catch and pass the point’s leader only to give way to a mediocre 5^th place finish at the Indy Mile. With a 10 point deficit to make up and three races to go there was still a great chance with the Springfield Mile, Springfield short track and Pomona half mile races left. Then the odds started to pile up. With the Springfield mile called for darkness, and races winding down to only two, James laid it all on the line in the last-chance Springfield short track that was rescheduled for Monday after a rain out there during the Saturday evening program. Qualifying fourth, “the Rocket” got the hole shot, led all but the last lap and set fastest lap time in the race. In a brave last-ditch effort move to take the win James went for a small opening going into turn three only to have the door closed causing an unplanned high side exiting turn four falling short of the finish line. That 16^th place race gave the championship away but solidified his place in the history books.

“I am really blessed to have such great people who believe in me as I move forward in my career as a professional motorcycle racer,” said James. “Everyone around me gave 110% and we charged back from some mistakes, miss-queues, injuries and set-up problems. It was a shame so many races were rained out or cancelled because I know what I can do both on and off the track and the championship was mine to win. Meanwhile, I learned a bunch from everyone and I can’t thank Dick Weirbach and his crew for a great season. I also wanted to say big thanks to Sammy Sweet and my friends Dave and Ryan Wells. Sammy came up with a frame, stout motor and the labor while the Wells family provided the suspension and wheels. Between them they came up with the parts needed to put a bike together for me to race at Pomona. And, a huge thanks to the team of Chris Carr and Kenny Tolbert for bringing the bike out to the west coast. I sincerely look forward to riding hard, smart and fast for my team and to put on a great season finale show for all the fans that will come out to watch the pro-singles race. I know it’s going to be a hec of an east vs.. west coast show down so stay tuned.”

You can follow the action on James' web site www.jamestherocket.com

AGV Dainese's Sammy Halbert makes Cycle News cover

Congratulations to a very deserving AGV Dainese's Sammy Halbert for making the cover of Cycle News after taking victory at the Bulls Gap Grand National. An outstanding achievement after his serious crash at the previous round.

First AMA Grand National Twins victory for Dainese's Sammy Halbert

Cyclenews.com - June 20, 2009

It’s been nearly five years in the making, but Sammy Halbert finally broke through to earn his first AMA Grand National Twins victory, his second overall Grand National victory, Saturday night at Volunteer Speedway.

 

Sammy, the younger of the two racing Halbert brothers, nearly made a clean sweep of it riding the high-banked red clay 3/8ths-miles on his Halbert Family/Kings Kustoms Harley-Davidson XR750. He was the fastest in timed qualifying, won his heat race, the Dash for Cash and the National.

Despite Halbert’s obvious speed all day the victory didn’t come easy. Halbert battled all race with Blue Springs/Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson’s Jared Mees, who won this race in 2007, and dealt with a late challenge by Kenny Coolbeth on the factory Harley-Davidson.

Halbert led early, but was passed on lap five by Mees, just before a red flag stopped the race when A.J. Eslick laid his bike down between turns one and two. On the restart Mees for another half-a-dozen laps, before Halbert took back the lead on lap 12 of 25. The leading duo battle so hard that it allowed a smooth riding Coolbeth to close the gap and join the battle foe the lead. For several laps it looked like the race would come down to a three-way, last-lap fight, but Halbert turned in a couple of picture-perfect laps to open a gap in the closing laps.

 

Halbert crossed the line .565 of a second ahead of Mees, with Coolbeth a close third.

“It’s been a long time coming, but it was worth the wait,” Halbert said of his first win on the big bikes. “Jared and I had a great race and fortunately I was able to buckle down and turn in a strong last five laps. It feels great to get my first Twins win. Everything seems to be going in a good direction for me now.”

Halbert’s victory was even more surprising since he crashed hard last weekend in Dayton, Ohio, along with his brother and Nick Cummings, injuring his shoulder in the process.

After two rounds of the GNC Twins Series, Coolbeth now leads by five points over Mees, 43-38. Chris Carr is third with 32 points; Sammy Halbert has 30 and Matt Weidman rounds out the top five in the standings with 27 points.

Brad Baker, riding a Brothers Power Sports/Mike Velasco Honda, won the rain-shortened Pro Singles final over Red Bull/Team 95 Honda’s J.D. Beach and Shayna Texter on the Lancaster Harley-Davidson/Screamin’ Eagle Suzuki. The victory, Baker’s second of the season, put him back in the Pro Singles Series lead by seven points over James Rispoli, who finished fourth.

The series moves to Lima, Ohio, next Saturday.

#43 Sam Halbert's latest race report: Willow Spring, CA

AGV Dainese's man of dirt, Slammin' Sammy Halbert had another great racing weekend, at Willow Springs Raceway in Rosamond CA, and took the AGV and Dainese brands on the podium again. Congrats to Sammy! Here's his race report:

"I was super excited to be back racing another Eddie Mulder WCVDTS event and ready to put my fresh out of Jim Kelly’s race shop H-D XR 750 engine to the test. At the last event I rode here I led the first 19 of 20 laps in the final so I was very motivated to make sure I led the last lap this time around.
The day started off great, as we rolled into the track there was a dump truck dumping a load of dirt on the track and I knew that it was going to be a fun day of throwing a roost off the back of my H-D. I was in the second heat race and pulled a nice holeshot and never looked back. I rode hard for the first 5 or so laps and then backed it down a notch and still had the fastest heat of the day.

That set me on the pole for the $1,000 to win Dash for Cash. More...

A special thank you to everyone who has ever supported the Halbert Family Racing Team!"

Results:

Digger Open Pro:
1. 43 Sammy Halbert
2. 3 Joe Kopp
3. 37 Jimmy Wood
4. 54z Mikey Rush
5. 26 Brandan Bergen
6. 21 Jared Mees
7. 69 Jethro Halbert
8. 51 Steve Murray
9. 42e Kayl Kolkman
10. 28 Shaun Russell

Photo’s by Jamey and Janice Blunt