BRIAR BAUMAN & JD BEACH: US FLAT-TRACK SHOW IS HERE!
Both Americans in 2017 Superprestigio to excel on Barcelona short-track
Tight battle and thrilling flat-track show is assured by both Briar Bauman and JD Beach on December 16th at Palau Sant Jordi arena. In fact, both Americans are short-track specialists. Provided that in previous runs of the Superprestigio Brad Baker and Jared Mees had to spend some time to adapt themselves to the 200m-long and tricky Barcelona short-track, Bauman and Beach are to feel more than comfortable from lap 1 in practice.
Briar Bauman (22 years old) is one of the youngest riders to win a race in GNC1. He was just 17 when claimed his maiden victory in 2013 at Daytona’s… short track. He had already clinched his first podium finish on the previous season, when he was also awarded the Rookie of the Year trophy. In the 2017 season the rider from Salinas (California) has won two races and finished sixth in the American Flat Track Championship overall. Now he is focused on winning Superprestigio invitational…
“I can’t wait to Barcelona event! I have raced some indoor races, but none with 9,000 spectators! Having that many fans in an arena will be a huge difference. Moreover, being this a tie-breaker event and the fact of performing for my country brings a lot of pressure. Jared Mees is helping me out with this race, letting me know some tips on the tires and what to expect from the event. Unfortunately I don’t have a set of the 17-inch wheels so I am riding my motocross bike, which is also fine. I am most concerned with the wheel size because I have never been on that size before. It will be different, but I am just excited to try something new”.
JD Beach (26 years old) is one of few riders able to be real fast both on a road racer and on a flat-track bike. Unlike Bauman, he’s already been to Europe and Spain, as he won the European-based Rookies Cup series in 2008. After winning the 2010 East Coast Supersport he got an invite for the 2011 Moto2 US Grand Prix race to replace a sit-out rider due to injury. From the same state as Brad Baker –they know each other since they were kids-, JD Beach raced in AMA Superbike before making his way back to MotoAmerica Supersport to clinch the 2015 title and two consecutive runner-up spots in 2016 and 2017.
“Brad Baker has been helping me every step of the way with this…and he has some great knowledge! I won’t tell you what he’s told me because I don’t want the secrets out, (smiles). Brad got me a set of 17 inches wheels to use and I actually have a track in our backyard that is pretty close to the size of Barcelona’s short track. I train a lot on it, so I’m hoping I’ll feel right at home. If it comes down to Briar and I racing in the superfinal, the fans will be in for a treat. We both have a different riding style and aren’t scared to show a wheel! Everything will be new for me in Barcelona, but I’m looking forward to the challenge and trying to prepare myself as best as possible”.