Kyle McGrane #99

AMA Youth Competitor Kyle McGrane Jump Starts 2010 Season

Winter Garden, Fl ( November 5, 2009)-- Gap Pennsylvania resident, Kyle McGrane closed his 2009 racing season recently and immediately looked ahead to 2010.

McGrane, age 10 had a great season. He raced locally, and at the nationals as a fierce competitor in several different classes. He also tried some road racing events and continued in supermotard racing to sharpen his skills for his first love, flat track racing.

Jump starting 2010, Kyle has already secured two sponsors; K&N Filters and Maxima Oils.

K&N Filters is highly recognized in the sport and has been instrumental in professional flat track racing. Their filters have been a part of many on the Grand National circuit including Kenny Coolbeth, Mike Hacker, Jared Mees, and Jake Johnson. These top riders depend on K&N for better performance. Now McGrane will have that same edge.

McGrane will continue on his 85cc machine for 2010 and start his season at Daytona during the AMA amateur events.

To follow Kyle, visit his website www.kylemcgrane99.com

It has been awhile since my last update.. So here we go for a big update regarding several races… For starters we went to York PA, a half mile. The trackw as a bit dusty after our first practice. After many practice they did some watering and it got better for when it counted. In the heat I felt strong and had a decent start. 4th off the line but in the first turn because everyone was going for the holeshot I knew I would get pinched out so I decided to let off the gas and then work my way back around. Needless to say I went high and crossed the line in 4^th. By the time of the main, I started on the back row but had a great start back there and worked well in traffic to end the day in 6^th place.

Then it was off to Delaware and my nephew who is 4 years olds first race. I decided to practice in every other session and one practice got to ride side by side with my brother, it was pretty awesome. The heats were combined in the 85cc class, I ran in a bit hard but did finish in 1^st, in the 125cc class I ended up beating several guys and finished 3^rd. The mains I took home two first place finishes.

Then it was off to Millville NY for another Road Race. I was on a bike that PJ Jacobsen made happen. I did a lot better than the first time out and felt as if I was really getting the hang of the sport and the feel of the track. For the final I was offered a different bike to try, it was fun. I qualified 8^th, heat 8^th and finished 6^th.

Now back to where I shine.. Supermoto at Englishtown. I was in the combined class with the sport mini and Novice and premier mini s. In the heat I had a really good start in second and thru the dirt section, the guy out front high sided so I got the 1^st place. In the air cooled class I beat a few guys. In both finals I ran away with the win in the sport mini class and in the aircooled class had a good battle and got another 1^st.

The season is almost over, but we do have some more races until the end and will post the results after the races. Thanks to PJ and his Dad and to my faithful sponsors.

Kyle #99

All of excitement to fill you in with… Racing.. Hospital… Bike Riding… Springfield

First of all My brother and I went to Timonium Maryland for a race. Practice was pretty decent; the track was good I felt ok and ready to compete. The close of the first round was something out of left field. The kid in front of me must have been having a rough outing as he was all over the track, he went into the turn to try and make a pass and he crashed. I was forced to crash also, unfortunately my foot got caught up into his bike near the suspension and it was pinching my foot.. It seemed like forever , but my superman of a brother came to my rescue and freed my food. We brushed off and awaited for the heat.

I had a really good start and finished 3^rd. To the main feeling confident as ever I also had a good start but mid way and on the back stretch I was in 4^th but making a move. The kid that crashed with me before also crashed again slipping me into 3^rd.. I WAS VERY HAPPY!

So Sunday came and I wasn’t feeling well. It was much bigger than a stomach ache I felt pain like a knife thru my stomach. Finally my mom and dad took me to the hospital, My appendix needed to be taken out… So I got operated on on Monday and thank goodness it wasn’t any later… The doctors said it was ready to burst.. And I was more upset that I would be missing some races, not school

We hope to be released before Springfield, the first week in September. In the meantime I have been training on my bike only because I am driving my Dad wild by asking everyday… Ha Ha

Springfield will be here soon and I will update afterwards.. Thanks for your support

Kyle #99

This past Saturday I entered the supermoto race in Virginia. The track was pretty neat during first practice as we jetted down a dragstrip. By second practice they changed things up and our pavement section was now a big parking lot. Very cool to say the least. If I only had the 85cc working right and ready to race I could have won the whole thing. But I had a disadvantage with the 125 4 stroke for this race. I did however finish second.

Monday was the road race. A little over a mile long with lots of turns. They had actually put two tracks together to make an very awesome road course. The schedule was practice, lunch, a qualifier and we had two mains. I did fairly well getting familiar with the course and learning a thing or two. There were two kid classes and in my class there were 11 others, I finished 9^th and felt that with more seat time and expertise I will continue to do better.

Next race is Beaver Run in PA for the supermoto event.

Thanks

Kyle #99

Two weeks ago I traveled to the double header at Circle Ville. It is a pea gravel track and was pretty excited to throw a leg over and utilize this race to ready for the AMA Grands. This was a track in part of the holeshot series, a qualifier for the Grands so we were all geared up and ready.

The first day in the 65cc mod class I had a decent start. Stayed inline with the front pack then got passed so I finished 3^rd.

Practice for the 85cc mod was a mess, I went over the bars and fell to the ground, you can see pictures on the pictures page, however I still got up after I ate some dirt and carried on. For the heat race I managed to beat one kid .

The main events in the 65 class I got another ok start and stayed with everyone but didn’t get to pass, I ended the day with a 3^rd place and in the 85 class I ended with a 7^th

The second day was a little different, they dug up the track so it was all loose.. A good thing perhaps.

A good start off the line until I was cut off in the 65cc class. Stayed right there for another 3^rd place. In the final did the same, I felt good.

The 85cc class heat one. My dad was mad because He felt I wasn’t doing well off the line so he wasn’t gonna watch. He missed my great start, I showed everyone that I let the clutch go. I progressed in my own race which I felt good about.

Had some good battles, fun and got faster all weekend. Finishing a 3^rd overall in the 65cc class and a 7^th overall in the 85cc class.

We are heading to the AMA Grands in two weeks.. We will let you know how we did. Thanks

Kyle.

Memorial Day weekend:

I went to Canton Ohio a track I am familiar with , liked the track it was a double header. The first day on the 65cc class I rode very well got out early and stayed out front to take the win in the heat. The 80’s wasn’t really great, I went into the first turn and got bombarded with everyone coming down on me finished last and had some work to do. The final was much like the heats, the 65cc class , right off the line into the lead and taking the checkers. The 85cc, my dad thought I should try a different line so I didn’t get squeezed out, I did at first but lost momentum and only finished ahead of one kid. An improvement over the heat race.

The second day I was hoping to improve on the first day and I rode the 85cc bike in the 100 class. I struggled a little bit in that heat and finished ahead of one rider. The 65cc class, same as before, got the holeshot and let it ride to the win. The finals were interesting. Out front with a fast bike and took the win in the 65 class. The 85cc was positioned on the outside which I thought would help, the line worked for me and had a great drive I felt better than day one but still finished last. The 100 class, another outside start, I got a little wide and almost hit the hay bales finished last.

This past weekend we were closer to home at Susquehanna . The track was so rough, loads of bumps. Had a great start in the heat races but very cautious and got a 2^nd in the 65 class, the 85cc class, I struggled a bit but my starts are getting better. My gears were funny and I was over reving so my dad wanted me black flagged because he thought something was wrong with the bike.

This weekend ahead we go to Circleville, Ohio. I am pretty excited. Schools out in a week! Cant wait

Kyle #99

Another busy weekend of racing and I couldn’t be happier!

We went to Pagoda, the track for practice was just ok, in the 60cc class I was fixing to get a good start but two kids stalled on the line and they decided to have a restart. I was revived up and ready to get some. I got the holeshot and lead them into the first turn, down the back straight and eventually got passed to place second. By the final I was ready for some hot action. I sat on the line waiting for the green and my bike was rev’d to high, we now realized that we had the wrong gear, but none the less I came off the line in third and started working on getting towards the front where I could battle with the leader. By the next lap I got pushed out because the guy next to me cut me off so I ended in 3^rd.

The next day we went to Englishtown. The dirt section was crazy as it had many ruts in the track, so you really had to find the right rut and hit the jump successfully. The sport mini class I had a good start and pulled in a win at the heat race. Next up was the air cooled class. I had an ok start and got up to 3^rd in the first turn. I was battling hard and aggressive as I wanted a win badly. When I got thru the dirt section, I got passed, maybe I was concentrating too much on the rut situation and lost my focus for one second, I quickly regained my focus and watched as he was not gunning it throughout the track, so I found a way to go underneath for the win.

Back to the final in the sport mini class. I had a good start and was going for it. We had a great battle going until after going over the jump and fell into a rut. After pulling my bike back up and trying to get it started I felt the win out of my reach . I had to push it down the hill and finally it started but I ended in third.

Air cool class main event I was looking to get a win, but I was going fast just not fast enough because I wanted to take it a little easier and not do what I already had done. I settled for a second .

Next weekend we are off to a double header at Canton Ohio and if we have time we will hopefully make York race on Monday.

Thanks for your support

Kyle #99

OVRP-- Dirt and Pavement Loads of Fun

Saturday we went to OVRP, Oakland Valley Raceway Park and we didn’t attend alone; Geogie Price came with us to get some experience on the dirt and pavement track.

Early in practice, the dirt section was very dusty and I experienced some stalling with both the 80 and 100cc machines. We didn’t worry too much about it because we had some time before the heats.

In the 85 cc class, I got the holeshot and by the 1^st turn had a commendable lead. I was holding the gas wide open and set sail to take the win. However the 100cc class was interesting, start wasn’t so hot and a crash happened on either side of me, while we were trying to get away from it, I lost my line and was passed by two. Finished 4^th.

After some much needed water on the track, it played out a little nerve racking. There was a lot of water and it was slick.

The 85 cc main I got the holeshot again and ran away with the win. I was looking for a better finish in the 100cc and I was focused. I had a decent start this time, there were no crashes but some stalling on the bikes, one crashed trying to catch me I placed 2^nd.

Our next race is Birdsboro, PA and Englishtown NJ. We are taking this weekend off for Mother’s Day.. Happy Mother’s Day -- MOM!!

Fifteen year old in the 85cc class?

This past weekend I headed up to Batavia, NY where the supermotard race was happening. I was pretty excited that my Dad let me take the practice day to get seat time and concentrate on the lines of the track and focus on my abilities then figure out my struggles. After putting in 3 gallons of gas in my 85cc that day as well as my hands were full of blisters, I was satisfied to gun it at race day.

Day two race day has arrived. The heat race was actually combined with the premier mini class, that class was the 150cc. So it was somewhat good that we could ride with them, but let’s face it that class quickly moved ahead of us, as they should. In my 85cc class there was a 15 year old “kid” racing against me. I worked on the pavement and situated a good lead in front while he passed my over and over on the dirt side. He was a seasoned motocross racer who had the strong ability to take the doubles, I on the other hand simple ride over them, until I am more comfortable. I was getting bummed out because of the age difference, but continued to give it my all. I finished second.

Now for the main. Again same deal with the premier class, I wasn’t even focusing staying with them, but trying to work on the dirt section better to get around this one kid. I had the holeshot in both the heat and now the main and I was going strong for awhile, I was passing and dicing it up with Mr 15 year old until he put the hammer down and got by me for good, but I stayed in second and that is where I finished.

Next weekend is a weekend off, the following weekend will be OVRP in NY as vwell as Piston Poppers the local TT track near my house. I am super excited.

Kyle McGrane #99

This past weekend I entered in the supermoto event in Englishtown NJ. I was pretty happy to be back at the track and I feel I did a really good job considering my starts were not really good.

The sport mini class on my 80cc I was traveling in fourth because as I said, my start was not so good. I wasn’t really comfortable in 4^th and started to make my moves to pass and then I was planted in second at the end of the heat. Felt good as the start of the main. Thought second was good in the heat I started concentrating on a win. Got off the line again in 4^th then made some quick passes to second and the leader was close in sight, I started reeling him in and was neck and neck until I was suffering a wheel hop really bad. I found some control and I took the lead and won at the checkers!

In the air cooled class they had combined this class with the Premier mini class but we were on the back pack. The heat was decent and I finished 3^rd. To the main I was doing really good sailed into 3^rd no problem, the guy in front of me looked as if he was having problems so I thought I may end with a second. But he saved it and I finished third. It was a really good day of racing.

I need to make a decision whether to race at Batavia which is a supermoto race or to go to a local track Lampeter for a flat track race. I am still undecided. The season is on and I am ready

Thanks for your support

Kyle #99

Rode at Trailways one of my favorite local tracks in Pennsylvania!! The track was prepared to my liking and a lot of competitors showed up to shine. The 65cc class was strong, got off the line ok but not perfect. I could see everyone ahead of me and at times felt as if I was following the leader. I finished 4^th in the heat and knew I needed some work to be for the main. At the start of the main I was focused and ready for a great finish. However when I was dicing it up someone who was trying to pass me but was sending me up high into the wall. This happened a few times and I was pretty much with no other line to choose from. I knew I could do a lot better but the realty is that I was either going to hold my line with a good chance of being placed into the wall. So I picked a new line and finished 4^th.

In the 80cc class. My Dad was telling me that I had to ride faster. He played a trick on me and told me they were only taking the top three to the main. So I had my head down and twisted the grip full power and away I went. I had a great run in the main and finished 9^th.

April 5^th is the next race for me in Englishtown for the supermoto races. I really enjoy racing there and I am looking for a great outcome.

By the way, I am going to try something new this year and compete in the stock mini class in the Grand Prix, that is road racing. I am pretty excited that PJ Jacobsen is going to help me with a bike and set up for the program. PJ, Is the youngest ever American to compete at the MOTOGP level. He also supports the number of 99, same as me. Thank you to PJ.

Til next time..

Kyle#99

Kickin’ The Dirt in Daytona

I entered three days of racing in Daytona as part of the AMA Winter National Dirt Track Series. It was great to see some of my racing friends, but I bit disappointed with the lack of racers in my classes. Not sure it was because of the economy or if many in my age group have decided to switch away from the sport to something else. None the less I had a great time and did pretty good in both my classes.

Saturday we started the series at the same track where the pros would ride during the week. We actually got to race on it before them and I was happy to offer my advice to the Grand National level riders shall they need a little help.. Ha Ha. The track was ok, it had some deep holes in every turn so we had to buckle down and try to miss them as best we could. Practice in the 65 DTX class deemed something interesting, The bike went this way then that way and I just hung on in fear of high siding it. During the heat and the main we had decent starts and pulled away from the rest to finish on top. The 65 mod class my practice was much better, yes the holes were there, but it was much smoother and my Kenny Mohler suspension worked like a charm. In both the heat and Main I also won.

Sunday the DTX class wasn’t available. Someone showed up too late to register, so I ended up riding the mod class with the 85cc riders. I held my own and stood my ground. It was good experience for me but they beat me by a straightaway.

Monday we were at the Ocala TT Race. It was a nice track, I liked it a lot. I went again with the 85cc class, got off the line ok and stayed with them, as laps wind down I was like 4 bike lengths away. The DTX class I did well and stretched my lead to a ½ track I was pretty happy.

I ended my experience with two number one plates overall for the DTX and Mod classes and to celebrate my victories, went go kart racing on Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday I hung out with the pros all day, trying to find out some secrets, or maybe they wanted mine?

Two weeks to the district 6 race at Trailways.. I will be there and I am ready!!

Thanks

Kyle #99