The 18-rider field launches off the line in the 2011 edition of the Peoria TT National. Robert Pearson (No. 27) catches a bit of a wheelie as the power of his Yamaha kicks in. Henry Wiles (No. 17) moved up to take the lead coming out of the first turn and went on to win his seventh straight Peoria TT. Jared Mees (No. 9) was second and Sammy Halbert ((No. 7) third. Wiles won in spite of having reconstructive knee surgery earlier this season. He’ll have the chance to tie Chris Carr’s Peoria TT record of eight-straight wins next year.

The 18-rider field launches off the line in the 2011 edition of the Peoria TT National. (Larry Lawrence photo)