The Springfield Mile should be fantastic as always with the Harley Davidsons trying to keep the Crosley Kawasaki of Bryan Smith in view. How the little 700cc Parallel Twin keeps the honkin Harleys at bay is beyond me. After all it is from a not particularly performance oriented motorcycle from the Japanese manufacturers product line up yet, it has the dirt track dominating H.D.s quivering in their steel shoed boots. What a story, Harley Racing Tuner Supreme, Bill Werner retires from the Motor Company as Flat Track winningest Tuner and then goes to war with the Orange and Black and turns a budget bike motor into a giant slayer. He wanted other folks to get on board with the little twin and they did with Howerton Racing and Crosley taking the ball and running with it. It helps that Bryan Smith who rode Werner's Kawi to its first Grand National victory has the bit between his teeth and is running with it. Smith paid his dues with development blow ups and DNFs for weird reasons but now is reaping the benefits of his perseverance. Can anyone keep up with him at the Indy 500 of Flat Track, The Springfield Mile.
The Springfield Mile has history. In1950 The Mile was held on the new Clark County Fairgrounds track. Harleys didn't dominate in this era and Indian Motocycles were dominant. In fact they won all three classes. Bill Tuman won the Expert Class by beating Chet Dykgraaf Harley mounted and Indian rider Reg Mull third on another Indian Scout. Indian won the Amateur with #96p Charles Carey and #81F Warren Dean won the Novice on another Indian Scout. The race was held under very cloudy weather typical of the weather this time of year. Lets hope the 2016 Springfield mile doesn't get rained out.
