American Aboard, California's Kenny Ingalls, on Track for World Speedway Domination

California's Kenny Ingalls is spending part of 2012 in England, racing for the Workington Comets.
California's Kenny Ingalls is spending part of 2012 in England, racing for the Workington Comets.
Some motorcycle prodigies possess too much talent to be contained by a single continent or even one particular discipline. Before 25-year-old Kenny Ingalls left the states for a career racing speedway in England and Europe, he had already claimed two AMA Pro Hillclimb No.1 plates and was considered one of the top five Speedway riders in the country. He also inked a number of overall wins at local motocross Pro-Am events near his Foresthill, California home.
In May Ingalls got his extreme swerve-on, scoring two wins and a second place before being injured.
In May Ingalls got his extreme swerve-on, scoring two wins and a second place before being injured.


Kenny's two-wheeled aptitude surfaced early, "He started riding at age three and racing MX the following year,"said his dad Kevin. "I have been his engine builder, tuner, and manager for Ingalls Racing for the 22 years of racing Kenny has done." Not unexpectedly, Kenny says his dad is his biggest influence.

"When Kenny turned five we got him a TY80 Yamaha so we could start riding trials competition together. After a couple years he was racing MX on a KX65. By the age of eleven, Kenny was on a KX 80 competing in MX and Hillclimb. Before we bought Kenny a 125cc bike he was filmed for the Crusty Demons of Dirt video, jumping and doing some tricks. The 125 didn't last too long, but he continued to compete in MX and Hillcimbs. By the age of 17, Kenny was competing on a 250F and winning some of the local Pro AM MX races. He also started racing Speedway and won the Division II championship. By the age of 18, Kenny was one of the top pro multi-competitive motorcycle racers racing MX, Speedway, and Hillclimb.

Kenny says his favorite rider is Greg Hancock, which explains why his favorite race to date was finishing third overall at Costa Mesa Speedway at the 2009 National, right behind World Champion Greg Hancock and National Champion Billy Janniero. He also won his second 0-700cc Pro AMA Hillclimb Championship that same year, on the CR500 Honda he rebuilt and modified for hillcimbs for his high school senior project.

Kenny had a busy month of May, starting out by scoring at the top of the club he races for in England, the Workington Comets. At his fourth race of that month, Kenny was taken out in his fourth heat. He had already scored two wins and a second at that point. Kenny spent the last part of May doing lots of therapy on the shoulder he injured during the collision.

The K&N sponsored rider had the opportunity to display is skill with the Elite club the Wolverhampon Wolves in Poland.
The K&N sponsored rider had the opportunity to display is skill with the Elite club the Wolverhampon Wolves in Poland.
In June, coming back from the injury and racing for his Premier team, the Workington Comets, Kenny was offered two guest rides for the Elite club the Wolverhampon Wolves. Kenny converted those rides into a contract for a spot on the team for the rest of the year. A couple days after he signed with the Wolves, he left for Poland to race with the USA World Cup Speedway team. After practicing with the team, it was determined that Kenny would not be replacing Greg Hancock on the team after all, as Hancock determined he was fit to race.

Kenny flew back to England on July 8th and was scheduled to race for the Comets against the Leicester Lions Premier League club. Unfortunately, the race was cancelled because of rain after the 7th heat. "Kenny's next races will be this Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the Comets Premier League, and Monday for the Wolves Elite League. Kenny has been back for only one race this month with his shoulder still not 100 percent,"reported Kevin. "Hopefully it will be better as this month goes on."

Kenny will be back in the US in October after the Speedway season ends in Europe. "Hopefully he will be back in time for the USA versus the World Speedway races at Fast Fridays Motorcycle Speedway in Auburn, California,"adds Kevin.

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