Beach Does the Dakota Double, AFT AdventureTrackers Put on a Show in Arrowhead Brass Sturgis TT Debut

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – August 12, 2024 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Neither pavement, dirt, rain, nor restart could prevent JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) from putting on yet another exhibition of all-around motorcycle mastery in Sunday’s Arrowhead Brass Sturgis TT presented by Rick Ware Racing & The CAT Rental Store, Round 13 of the 2024 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing.

While inclement weather pushed the planned proceedings back several hours, the event proved every bit the spectacle that was promised once the world’s elite dirt trackers finally locked handlebars on the unique hybrid racetrack laid out in the Streets of Downtown Sturgis, South Dakota.

And while the combination of pavement turns, dirt jumps and switchbacks put the talents of even the greatest Mission AFT SuperTwins riders to the test, world-class dirt tracker/roadracer Beach looked to be in his natural environment.

Beach powered into the lead from pole and immediately threatened to sap all tension right from the race’s opening lap. However, despite Beach’s best efforts, reigning Grand National Champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Rogers Racing/SDI Racing/Indian Motorcycle FTR750) managed to inject the Main Event with an abundance of drama soon after.

The nine-time series king sank down the order at the light due to a poor launch, getting clipped and nearly taken out by Sammy Halbert (No. 69 OnlyFans/Martin Trucking Yamaha MT-07) as he was swallowed up by the pack. Trapped down in eighth early, Mees threw in a hard overtake on Brandon Price (No. 92 Memphis Shades/Sody Ent/OTBR Yamaha MT-07) entering the dirt section. That attempt resulted in contact, which knocked his opponent over and brought a stop to the race.

But the red flag only temporarily delayed Beach’s escape to victory. Peoria TT winner Briar Bauman (No. 3 Rick Ware Racing/KTM/Parts Plus KTM 790 Duke) got away well in second following the restart and hounded Beach for a time, but in time, the Estenson Racing substitute rider systemically eked away, one and two tenths per circulation, before finally working his way to a 1.715-second margin of victory.

The triumph was Beach’s second in the week, backing up his Tuesday night win at the Black Hills Half-Mile. It also increased his career TT wins total to nine, equal to Steve Eklund for third all-time and now training only Henry Wiles and Chris Carr. It also saw him set the new standard for wins at the most…