Flat Track Racer Dominic Colindres and the Weirbach Racing Team at 2012 Santa Rosa Mile

22 Jan 2013

Despite having limited experience on cushioned tracks, Dominic Colindres pulled off an impressive 5th place finish at Santa Rosa Mile

The thunder of AMA Flat Track racing returned to the cushioned mile track at Sonoma County Fairgrounds after a 42 year absence for the showcase event - the Santa Rosa Mile. Knowledgeable flat track fans hungry to witness riders in a full tuck racing at 130mph down the straight, and on the edge between control and chaos in the cramped corners, greeted the riders with encouraging cheers and loud applause.

“This race was the closest race to my house out of all the races in this season,” said Dominic Colindres. “I felt a little uncomfortable heading into this event because it was a cushion and I'm still a little off pace on cushions. It was also a mile with tight corners, which I don't have much experience on. I would be heading into this event fifth in points and hopefully go into fourth in the overall points.”

2012 was a breakout year for Colindres as he finished 4th overall in the AMA Pro Singles class

Colindres rides the No. 66Y Weirbach Racing Honda CRF450R in the AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com Pro Singles class, and he did indeed finish off his 2012 season fourth overall in the Pro Singles championship. Last year was in fact a breakout season for the Terra Nova High School Class of 2012 graduate from Pacifica, California. Colindres had 11 AMA Pro Singles main event starts and finished in the top-10 in all but one of those starts. He also collected seven top-5 finishes, with his best performance of the year coming at Peoria, where he recorded his single win of the season. Based on his overall performance Colindres will once again campaign for Weirbach Racing in 2013, and he clearly has to be considered a serious contender for the title this year.

During the first couple of qualifying sessions at Sonoma Colindres’ bike was a little off for gearing and the team made changes every time he got off the track. “I ended up qualifying ninth the first session and fifth the next,” said Colindres. This put him in the front row for the heat race.

In the main event at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Colindres exploded off the line to grab the holeshot

“We made another change right before the heat and I felt like we were ready for another heat win. I got a little tangled with some riders off the start and ended up fourth into the first turn. After lap two I moved into first and stayed there for the rest of the heat. I felt very good and felt that I could have a shot at winning the main. We didn't make any more changes after the heat.”

For the main Colindres had the option to make the second choice on the front row. “I picked the outside next to (Stephan) Vanderkuur,” said the K&N sponsored rider. “I got the holeshot, but was passed down the back straight. Vanderkuur was on rails and he quickly pulled away. I was in a good four rider battle the whole race with Shoemaker, Spencer, and Anderson. I was having trouble hooking up down low so I moved to the outside and started following Spencer. I ended up a close fifth.”

“I feel good with my result because I see that I'm getting way better on cushions and miles,” added Colindres. “I'm also learning how to adapt to new tracks a lot faster which is key to doing well at a national.”

For more write ups on K&N sporsored flat track racers read; 2012 AMA Grand National Champion, First-Ever AMA Pro GNC Flat Track Win and Passion in Flat Track Racing

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.

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