Agajanian To Grand Marshal Pomona Half Mile

Cycle News Staff | October 10, 2012

The following is from the promoters of this weekend’s Pomona Half Mile…

One of America’s best known racing personalities, JC Agajanian Jr., has been named Grand Marshal for the upcoming Law Tigers AMA Pro Flat Track Finals at the Fairplex in Pomona, California, Saturday, October 13th.

With a long history of affiliation in the promotions of AMA Motorcycle racing at Pomona and at Ascot Park, the Agajanian dynasty makes JC an excellent choice. Synonymous with motorcycle and auto racing, Indy 500 wins, the Turkey Night Grand Prix and most notably the owners and promoters of famous Ascot Park in Gardena, the Agajanians have had their hand in almost every significant motorsports event in the Southern California area at one time or another. Ascot Park, which opened in 1957 and closed in 1990, held a number of AMA Championship Races throughout the years. The Pomona ½ Mile, host of this year’s championship race, has hosted flat track races dating back to 1949.

“When Chris Morgan called saying they wanted to salute Ascot and my dad JC Agajanian, I was excited,” says JC. “Aggie was a pioneer in motorcycle racing. He was a promoter with generosity and class. His Friday night AMA Flat Track races at Ascot regularly had more rider talent then many of the national championships. Aggie paid a large amount of prize money which elevated motorcycle racing from what the public saw as a bunch of hooligans, to a high class sport on par with any of its four wheel counter parts. JC Agajanian will forever be remembered as the ‘Dean’ of American racing. I gladly accepted the position of Grand Marshal on behalf of my family. We will salute all Aggie has done for our great sport.”

“JC and Ascot are American racing promotion icons and we are proud to be associated with their long and storied traditions in both the motorcycle and automobile racing dynasties. Ascot was a special place that many of us in Southern California hold dear to our hearts and all that ever walked in those gates have fond memories of the amazing events promoted there by the Agajanian Family. We are proud to carry this tradition on with the Law Tigers AMA Pro Flat Track Finals at the Pomona Half-Mile and are honored that JC accepted our invitation to be Grand Marshal at this year’s event October 13th” said Flat Track Finals co-promoter Chris Morgan.

The Law Tigers AMA Pro Flat Track Finals October 13th presented locally by Glendale Harley-Davidson and Pomona Valley Harley-Davidson, is the final round of the 16 race AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship presented by Motorcycle-Superstore.com and Lucas Oil, and is the only Southern California stop on the tour. Harley-Davidson riders Jared Mees and Sammy Halbert are a close first and second in the championship and the Law Tigers AMA Pro Flat Track Finals will decide the champion.

As a special bonus, numerous events are included free to all fans in attendance, including the rider paddock area being open to all spectators at 5:30 pm to meet the riders and see the racing bikes. A special Motorcycle Racing Legends Autograph Meet & Greet, featuring some of the sport’s biggest stars including Eddie Mulder, Sammy Tanner, Tom Horton, Sunny Nutter, Jody Nicholas, Don Emde, Terry Dorsch, Nick Theroux, Rob Morrison, Ronnie Jones, Eddie Wirth, Jim Filice, Ralph White and more is scheduled to begin at 5:45 pm. In addition Southern California’s own “Rockabilly” band “The Loveless” will be the musical talent at the event beginning their set at 4:30 p.m in a special concert appearance along with motorcycle vendors and bike displays.

Spectator gates at Fairplex in Pomona open at 4 p.m. with racing starting at 7:00 p.m. Tickets and information are available online at www.flattrackfinals.com or by calling the Flat Track Finals ticket line at 888-718-4253.