2012 NJMP AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 Series
KLR Group rider Kyle Wyman arrives at New Jersey Motorsports Park as the championship points leader in the AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 Series and plans to use this weekend’s American Red Cross Devils Showdown to add to the nine-point advantage he earned a few weeks ago in Indianapolis.
Wyman’s new teammate, veteran Michael Barnes, also anticipates a big weekend on his identically-prepared Harley from Spyke’s Harley-Davidson. Barnes had a slower start to the XR Showdown, the five-race sprint to decide the 2012 title, and finds himself 21 points behind Wyman in fifth place.
Kyle Wyman says: “We have a little gap in the championship chase but we’ve still got a lot of work to do before we can slap a No. 1 plate on my KLR Group XR. There are three races left and I want to win all three of them and go out with a bang.
“I’m really looking forward to racing at New Jersey Motorsports Park again. I’ve had quite a bit of time at the track since it was built in 2009. I had a podium finish there last year when we came in third, and I’m looking to move up two steps this weekend. I’m in the best shape of my life, which could make a difference down the stretch. My workouts at Planet Fitness and long rides on my Shimano-kitted bicycle have done the trick.”
Wyman has four victories on the year and is the only rider in the class to finish on the podium at all nine races contested so far.
Barnes, who joined Kyle Wyman Racing prior to the Indy race, had finishes of fourth and fifth place at the Red Bull Moto GP. Barnes has a victory and seven podium finishes on the season.
Michael Barnes says: “I need better results than we had in Indy, for sure. I’ve got some points to make up in the championship, so we’ll obviously be looking for the best result possible.
“I felt really comfortable on the KLR Group/Spyke’s Harley-Davidson and riding with Kyle feels very natural. I’m confident the team will give me all the tools I need to get back on the podium. I’m ready to start racing right now.”
The XR1200 class begins action with a practice session from 10:30-11 a.m., Saturday, followed by the first qualifying session from 4:15-5 p.m., also on Saturday. A second and final qualifying round will take place from 8:30-8:50 a.m., Sunday, with the 12-lap main event is scheduled for later that day beginning at 12:30 p.m.
