Murrieta, California. (April 21, 2018) – Building upon its racing success in the off-road and motocross segments, as well as the continued commitment to American Road Racing at the junior level, KTM Motorsports is pleased to announce its plan to go racing in the 2019 American Flat Track Championship. KTM has appointed former HMC KTM Factory Superbike racer and Brand Ambassador Chris Fillmore as the new Flat Track and Road Racing Team Manager to oversee its racing efforts in the U.S.

American Flat Track is America’s original extreme sport. At its core, it’s a highly competitive, adrenaline-fueled motorsport featuring specialized motorcycles piloted by young world-class athletes. With history dating back to the first two-wheel racers in the 1920s, American Flat Track is widely regarded as the most prestigious and competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing in the world.

John Hinz, President, KTM North America, Inc.: “We have been following the changes happening to the racing in American Flat Track and the excitement it’s produced, so as a READY TO RACE company it was natural for KTM to want to be involved. I am proud to continue a long-standing relationship with Chris Fillmore as the new Team Manager for our Flat Track and Road Racing efforts. Chris has a history with KTM beginning in 2003 when he rode on KTM’s first Super Moto team before leading our RC8R Sport Bike effort in Road Racing, and most recently setting the World record on a 1290 SUPER DUKE R at Pikes Peak. Chris has been working with the MotoAmerica RC Cup racers and is currently heading the Orange Brigade Road Racing Team with two young riders in the MotoAmerica Junior Cup, so we’re confident in his abilities to take on this exciting project.”

For 2019, KTM will field a race team to compete in the AFT Singles Class aboard the championship-proven 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION. The future is poised to bring even more excitement in the AFT Twins class with the upcoming 2019 KTM 790 DUKE.

Chris Fillmore: “It’s pretty exciting to work on this new project to go racing in the American Flat Track Championship. We have the full support of KTM’s global motorsports team with Pit Beirer, Roger DeCoster, Ian Harrison and the Austrian R&D department, which provides a wealth of knowledge and experience behind us. Our goal is to use 2019 as a building year to create our structure and race team in the AFT Singles Class and the 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION is a championship-proven race bike and the perfect platform for KTM to engage with the new American Flat Track series. We’re well aware that KTM’s new 790 DUKE has the perfect power plant to compete in the AFT Twins class and we’re excited to see what the future brings in this new journey.”

The 2018 American Flat Track Championship is underway with the first two rounds complete. KTM-mounted rider Dan Bromley has gotten off to a great start as he currently leads the AFT Single class on a privateer-backed KTM 450 SX-F. For more information on the American Flat Track Championship, please visit www.americanflattrack.com.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL – March 14, 2018 – American Flat Track (AFT) is pleased to announce that Husqvarna Motorcycles will continue as the Official Motorcycle of AFT Singles for the 2018 season.

Underlining its commitment to both the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and its contingent of rising stars, Husqvarna Motorcycles has matched last year’s record-breaking contingency of $88,700 to be made available to this year’s Singles competitors.

“We are delighted to continue to partner with Husqvarna Motorcycles for the 2018 season,” said Michael Lock, CEO of American Flat Track. “The AFT Singles class is the perfect combination of fast-and-furious pro flat track racing and young, talented athletes on production-based bikes. Husqvarna’s commitment to the class in general, and specifically in bringing AFT Singles its first-ever factory-backed rider in Shayna Texter, is a real boost for the sport.”

Husqvarna Motorcycles boasts a proud racing heritage, having garnered more than 70 world titles while competing at the highest levels of off-road racing dating back to the 1930s. A renewed push in recent seasons has seen the marque break new ground in a number of other hotly-contested battlegrounds beyond its traditional stomping grounds of World Motocross, World Enduro, World Supermoto, and Baja 1000 racing.

Over the past few years, Husqvarna Motorcycles has faced down the planet’s best in some of the most challenging series in existence, taking podiums in the FIM Moto3 World Championship and establishing itself a legitimate modern-day AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross superpower.

Husqvarna Motorcycles has now set its sights on doing the same in AFT Singles with its race-proven FC 450.

“Husqvarna Motorcycles is proud to be the ‘Official Motorcycle of the AFT Singles Class’ for the second year running,” said Husqvarna Marketing Manager Jenna Parker. “We are excited by the developments in the American Flat Track championship series, and look forward to seeing the sport continue to cultivate enthusiasm for motorcycling.”

Husqvarna Motorcycles will put $4,650 up for grabs for Husqvarna FC 450-mounted riders in all 18 rounds of the 2018 AFT Singles season. Additionally, a $5000 bonus pool is available to riders who finish in the championship top three aboard Husqvarna equipment.

AFT Singles riders competing on a 2017 or newer Husqvarna FC 450 can follow the company’s outlined Contingency Program to be eligible for the following per-race contingency payout:

• 1st – $1,500
• 2nd – $1,000
• 3rd – $750
• 4th – $500
• 5th – $250
• 6th – $200
• 7th – $150
• 8th – $100
• 9th – $100
• 10th – $100

American Flat Track will kick off its highly-anticipated 2018 season with the Bigger, Better, and Faster Harley-Davidson TT presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys at DAYTONA under the lights inside the fabled trioval at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday, March 15, 2018. Tickets start at just $30 and are available for purchase now at DaytonaInternationalSpeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.

How to Watch:

NBCSN and FansChoice.tv are the official homes for coverage of American Flat Track. For the 2018 season, NBCSN’s coverage of AFT moves to highly-coveted, weekend afternoon programming slots within two weeks of each event. The complete schedule for AFT on NBCSN can be viewed at http://www.americanflattrack.com/events-nbcsn/. FansChoice.tv remains a cornerstone of AFT’s digital strategy, providing live streaming coverage of every event on AFT’s live page while previous events and exclusive features are available on AFT’s VOD page.

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 30, 2018)–Dave and Rhonda Waters have announced their team for the 2018 American Flat Track season, and it’s not only chock full of youth, enthusiasm and skill, it’s co-ed, as well.

AFT Singles competitor Wyatt Anderson, who podiumed three times in 2017 and ended up seventh overall in the title chase, will move to the AFT Twins presented by Vance & Hines class in 2018, running two different machines as he shoots for Rookie of the Year honors–Yamaha’s FZ-07, and also KTM’s 990 Super Duke.

In AFT Singles, the Waters have signed Sandriana Shipman–an up-and-coming racer who shows plenty of promise–to ride the team’s KTM singles.

“This is all very exciting for us,” said team principal Dave Waters. “We were impressed with Wyatt’s results at the end of the 2017 season. We went to Daytona with no expectations and [Wyatt] fell just shy of the win. The experience and maturity he gained throughout the 2017 season showed our team how badly he wanted to [win], so we purchased a pair of Yamaha FZ-07s to add to the fleet. Rhonda and I discussed the restrictions and the gradual phase out of the over-850cc engines and decided the time was now.”

“I couldn’t be happier to join forces with Waters Autobody Racing again in 2018,” said 21-year-old Anderson. “When they gave me the opportunity to ride for them at Daytona [in 2017] it led to the greatest season of my professional career. I’m excited to ride the AFT Twins class in 2018, and I have a couple of options in the Yamaha FZ-07 and KTM Super Duke. The drastic differences in the two bikes ensures that we will have a suitable bike for all 18 rounds of the 2018 American Flat Track season.”

Shipman, 23, is a young racer the Waters are plenty excited to have aboard.

“We see some great things in Sandriana,” Dave Waters said. “She didn’t have a lot of support last year, but she showed a bunch of skill and determination, especially when she borrowed Sammy [Halbert’s] back-up bike and made the Main at Calistoga. We like giving up-and-coming riders a shot. And with Wyatt moving to AFT Twins, and our 450s just sitting there, we felt this would be a great opportunity to give Sandriana one.”

“I really wanted to help Sandriana out when I saw the dedication and drive she showed after last year’s season,” said Rhonda Waters. “It reminded me of when I was younger and trying to race every weekend, and all the people who rallied behind me to make it happen. It is my time to pay it forward. It’s exciting for us!”

Shipman has been a regular fixture at New York-area club races since her father Ron decided to take her to an indoor race at the Thunderdome in Middleton, NY. From that day forward she’s been hooked on dirt track, and has typically ridden whatever machinery has been at her disposal. With the help of friends P.J. and Keith Jacobsen, she threw together a vintage bike and raced her way to a vintage national championship in 2016. And last year she scored her first National points after making the AFT Singles main at Calistoga.

“I’m extremely grateful to have the opportunity to show what I can do on a well-established team like Waters Autobody Racing,” says Shipman. “I owe a huge thanks to my friends, family and supporters who’ve helped me get to this point in my career, and I’m going to continue working hard to make them proud.”

Just one more piece of the off-season AFT puzzle that’s gonna make the 2018 season roil with action and intrigue.

About American Flat Track:

American Flat Track is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on American Flat Track, please visit http://www.americanflattrack.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check us out on Instagram, live stream the events at FansChoice.tv and catch all the American Flat Track racing action on NBCSN.

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Milwaukee, Wisconsin (January 25, 2018–The Harley-Davidson Factory Flat Track Racing Team will combine veteran savvy with youthful potential in a three-rider effort contesting the 2018 American Flat Track (AFT) Twin series. Returning rider Brandon Robinson will be joined by seasoned pro Sammy Halbert and rising star Jared Vanderkooi on the Harley-Davidson Factory squad for the coming season.

The team was announced to the Harley-Davidson dealer network during meetings held today in Nashville.

The Harley-Davidson Factory Flat Track Team will engage in flat track battles aboard all-new Harley-Davidson XG750R competition motorcycles on the 19-race AFT Twins series and at the Harley-Davidson Flat Track Racing event at ESPN’s X Games Minneapolis. The racing season opens during Daytona Bike Week at the March 15 AFT Daytona TT on a new, enlarged course constructed inside Daytona International Speedway.

“American Flat Track has new energy behind the sport and fans responded. They’re heading to the track to see the action live and tuning in from around the globe to the catch the racing broadcasts,” said Scott Beck, Harley-Davidson Director of Marketing. “Harley-Davidson made an investment to help build AFT and we are excited to see this growth in a truly all-American motorsport.”

Entering its 65th consecutive season, American Flat Track is the most historic form of American motorcycle racing. Preparing for what promises to be one of the most competitive flat-track seasons ever, Harley-Davidson and its Factory Team partner, Vance & Hines Motorsports, devoted this off-season to extracting more performance from the team’s Harley XG750R race bikes.

The XG750R flat tracker used by the Factory Team is powered by a race-modified, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 750cc Revolution X V-Twin engine, an engine originally engineered for the Harley-Davidson Street® 750, a motorcycle built for maximum urban maneuverability with rebellious Dark Custom attitude. The race-modified Revolution X engine and a racing frame for the XG750R were developed in collaboration with Vance & Hines Motorsports. The XG750R flat tracker motorcycle is not a production model.

The Revolution X engine was designed and engineered at the Willie G. Davidson Product Development Center in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. The 750cc XG Revolution X V-Twin engine is for sale through Harley-Davidson dealers today and can be modified for racing use by aspiring dealers and privateers.

Sammy Halbert (National #69)
Sammy Halbert brings his veteran experience to the Harley-Davidson Factory Flat Track Racing Team in 2018. Since his first pro season in 2006, Halbert has won 13 times in Grand National competition. Always a tenacious competitor, he placed third in the Twins championship chase in 2015, scored four wins and finished second in the championship in 2012. He had four wins and a third-place finish, in 2011. Halbert was named AMA “Ricky Graham Rookie of the Year” in 2006 and won his first Grand National race at the 2007 Castle Rock TT. Racing for Estenson Logistics in 2017, Halbert placed fourth in AFT Twins points with five podium results and 14 top-10 finishes. Halbert is 30 years old and lives in Graham, Wash.

Brandon Robinson (National #44)
Brandon Robinson returns for his second season with the Harley-Davidson Factory Flat Track Racing Team. In 2017, Robinson delivered consistent results with nine top-10 finishes and ended the season in seventh place in AFT Twins. Robinson had a break-out season in 2013 with seven top-five finishes and three victories, including a sweep of both Twins races on the Springfield Mile. In 2016, Robinson earned his fourth career victory with a win on the Lima half-mile, notched two additional podium results and finished third in GNC1 points. In 2008, Robinson was the AMA Basic Twins class champion. Robinson is 27 years old and lives in Oxford, Pa.

Jarod Vanderkooi (National #20)
Jarod Vanderkooi (VAN-der-koy) has been a rising star on the AFT circuit since winning the 2015 “GNC1 Rookie of the Year” Award after scoring four top-10 finishes and placing 12th in the points. The 2014 GNC2 Twins champion, Vanderkooi won his first pro event on the Springfield Mile, his first of two victories at Springfield that season. In 2016, he finished 10th in the standings and scored three top-five finishes. Vanderkooi posted eight top-10 results and finished the 2017 AFT Twins season in ninth place as a member of the Richie Morris Racing Team. Vanderkooi is 20 years old and lives in Mount Gilead, Ohio.

The Harley-Davidson Flat Track Racing Team is proudly partnered with Vance & Hines Motorsports.

About Harley-Davidson Motor Company:
Since 1903, Harley-Davidson Motor Company has fulfilled dreams of personal freedom with cruiser, touring and custom motorcycles, riding experiences and events, and a complete line of Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts, accessories, general merchandise, riding gear and apparel. For more information, visit www.h-d.com.

About American Flat Track:
American Flat Track is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on American Flat Track, please visit http://www.americanflattrack.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check us out on Instagram, live stream the events at FansChoice.tv and catch all the American Flat Track racing action on NBCSN.

The post 2018 Harley-Davidson Factory Flat Track Team Announced appeared first on Dirt Bikes.

After Harley-Davidson made the decision to phase out its legendary XR750R race program in favor of developing the new production-based XG750R, Coolbeth and teammate Jake Johnson, also a multi-time series champion, struggled mightily aboard their Vance & Hines-tuned Harley factory race bikes, with both men posting lackluster results during a season in which Johnson managed one podium finish in 18 races. Coolbeth also suffered a serious crash, due to an engine failure, and was lucky to avoid serious injury. Both men have since departed the Harley team, with Johnson landing aboard the Estenson Racing Yamaha team, and now Coolbeth finding a ride aboard a privateer Indian Scout FTR750.

There’s no denying that the Indian Scout FTR750 is currently the hot ticket in the sport of professional flat track racing, having scored wins in 14 of the 18 races that made of the American Flat Track Series last year, and claiming 37 of 54 available podium positions. Now Coolbeth will get the chance to see for himself, having teamed with tuner Dave Atherton, the father of former Harleu-Davidson factory rider Kevin Atherton, to take on the 2018 American Flat Track Twins class. The following is from American Flat Track:

In the racing world, racers gravitate toward machinery that proves itself in the crucible of competition. So it’s no surprise to hear that as many as six American Flat Track privateer competitors in 2018 are planning to ride Indian’s dominant Scout FTR750.

Three-time Grand National Champion Kenny Coolbeth is one of those privateers. “After seeing the Scout FTR750’s capabilities last year,” he says, “I couldn’t be more excited to be riding one this season. I’ve been training hard this offseason, and I’m looking forward to giving the Indian factory team some competition now that we’re all on the same bike.”

That factory team he speaks of – comprised of Jared Mees, Brad Baker and Bryan Smith – accounted for 37 of the available 54 podium spots in 2017 (with six podium sweeps), and won 14 of the 18 races aboard FTR race bikes. Mees stormed to the AFT Twins championship with 10 wins, with Smith winning four others. It was nothing less than a dream season for Indian Motorcycle and its re-envisioned Wrecking Crew.

Five other privateers have confirmed they’ll be riding FTRs during 2018, including 2017 fifth-place finisher Jeffery Carver, Jr. (Roof Systems of Dallas, TX), Chad Cose (Indian Motorcycle of Oklahoma City), and Jay Maloney (Indian Motorcycle of Springfield, MA). Additionally, flat track TT master Henry Wiles and two-time Grand National Champion Jake Johnson (Estensen Racing) will ride Scouts intermittently this season. Another privateer may join their ranks in 2018, as well.

Coolbeth (right) joins longtime Twins tuner Dave Atherton (left), with help from John Wise and Lance Fox. In early testing KC felt “very comfortable” on the FTR. “They did their homework,” he says.

“We’re extremely excited to see so many talented riders turn to the Scout FTR750 this season,” said Gary Gray, Vice President – Racing, Service & Technology for Indian Motorcycle. “We’re committed to supporting not only our factory team, but the privateers, as we have an aggressive contingency program in place that will reward these riders with performance incentives.”

Indeed it does. Indian Motorcycle Racing has committed more than $350,000 in contingency incentives, including $25,000 for a Championship, $5,000 for first-place wins, $4,000 for second-place, $3,000 for third-place finishes, and payouts for up to 10th-place finishers.

Multi-time champ Coolbeth is especially keen to be aboard an FTR this season, as his 2017 season a factory rider with the Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson team did not turn out as he’d hoped. Coolbeth will team with legendary flat track tuner Dave Atherton for the entire 2018 season, with backing from sponsor John Wise.

“We’re all pretty excited,” added Coolbeth. “I got the opportunity to hook up with Dave [Atherton] and John [Wise]. Everyone’s got the passion for this and it’s starting to come together; it’s been lots of work, doing everything from scratch, but we have it going now and it’s feeling good. We’ll have three FTRs for the season, two supplied by John [Wise] and a third from Lance Fox, who runs Columbia Avionics.

“Yesterday’s testing went really well,” Coolbeth told us the morning of January 21st as he prepared for day two of his very first ride on the bike. “The FTR is really, really good right out of the box, and I feel very comfortable on it. That’s a good sign. You can tell the factory did its homework. The engine is positively electric. There’s power everywhere, and it’s very easy to use. I’m really looking forward to these next few days of testing. We all have very high expectations this year.”
American Flat Track Indian Scout FTR750

Coolbeth’s 2017 season in AFT Twins wasn’t what he – or Harley-Davidson – envisioned.

Coolbeth admits to second-guessing himself a lot during 2017. “I thought maybe I’d lost it,” he says of his efforts last year. “But over the off-season I rode a lot, and sort of proved to myself that I was still plenty fast, and that it wasn’t me in 2017. I’m feeling rejuvenated so far this year, and after riding this bike, I’m more excited than ever. I’m gonna ride as hard as I can, and have fun with it. The proof will come.”

And it all starts in less than 53 days with the Harley-Davidson TT presented by Russ Brown at Daytona. We can’t wait. And we know you can’t either.

Get your tickets for the Bigger, Better and Faster Harley-Davidson TT at DAYTONA on March 15, 2018, at Daytona International Speedway. Tickets start at just $29, and are on sale now via the Speedway’s website at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Events/2018/DAYTONA-TT/DAYTONA-TT.aspx or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. There’s pit-lane trackside seating this year, plus a Fan Zone with plenty of cool attractions, so don’t wait!

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 19, 2017) – On the heels of record-breaking contingency postings from Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycle (two of the biggest in flat track history), American Flat Track is nearing the $2 million mark in rider contingency, with generous postings from long-time series partners and supporters of the sport: Dunlop Motorcycle Tires, Sunoco, Arai Helmet, S&S Cycle, Husqvarna Motorcycles, American Honda, Yamaha Motor Corp., Kawasaki Motor Corp. – and more coming soon.

The current dollar availability breakdowns look like this:

Harley-Davidson: $562,500

Indian Motorcycle: $358,000

Kawasaki Motors Corp.: $356,100

Yamaha Motor Corp.: $211,500

Husqvarna Motorcycles: $88,700

S&S Cycle: $80,500

American Honda: $68,160

Dunlop Motorcycle Tires: $54,000

Arai Helmet: $45,800

Sunoco: $15,500

TOTAL: $1,840,760

These companies – and others who will post in the coming weeks – realize the benefits that come with series support and contingency postings. They include high-visibility brand exposure through AFT’s NBCSN broadcasts, FansChoice.tv live stream coverage, enthusiast media coverage, AFT web and social postings, and fan exposure at AFT events themselves.

By supporting the AFT series and its rider-athletes through such generous contingency offerings, the plans generate additional enthusiasm for flat track racing, and keep the teams’ excitement levels high – a big plus for fans and viewers.

Companies interested in generating exposure to the brand-loyal following of American Flat Track through association with the best dirt track racers in the world can find out more about the 2018 AFT contingency program at the following URL:

• 2018 American Flat Track Contingency Award Program

For a complete, up-to-date listing of the 2018 AFT contingency postings, riders and teams are invited to check back regularly at the following URL:

• 2018 American Flat Track Contingency List

Stay tuned for additional postings in the coming days and weeks as we move toward AFT’s Bigger, Faster and Better DAYTONA TT opener on March 15, 2018, at Daytona International Speedway. Tickets start at just $29, and are on sale now via Daytona International Speedway’s website at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Events/2018/DAYTONA-TT/DAYTONA-TT.aspx or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.

About American Flat Track:
American Flat Track is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on American Flat Track, please visit http://www.americanflattrack.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check us out on Instagram, live stream the events at FansChoice.tv and catch all the American Flat Track racing action on NBCSN.

The post American Flat Track Announces 2018 Contingency appeared first on Dirt Bikes.

The deal makes Vance & Hines once again the Presenting Sponsor of the AFT Twins class for 2018 and 2019. It also names Vance & Hines the Official Exhaust Partner and Official Performance Partner of American Flat Track for those two years.

“There’s never been a better time to be involved in Flat Track racing,” said Terry Vance, Chairman of Vance & Hines. “The sport continues to grow and the youth today are buying 750cc twin cylinder motorcycles….and that’s right where Vance & Hines wants to be. This is the best two-wheel racing in the country, and we’re proud to return as the Presenting Sponsor of the AFT Twins class for two more years.”

Vance & Hines has certainly been around the block when it comes to motorcycle racing. While amassing numerous drag racing championships together, Vance and longtime partner Byron Hines – both AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers – built V&H into a leading aftermarket company, and then immersed themselves successfully in other forms of motorcycle racing, including AMA Superbike, modern-day drag racing and, more recently, professional flat track.

“Vance & Hines are a strong supporter of the AFT series,” said American Flat Track CEO Michael Lock. “We are delighted to partner with them for the next two years, on a number of fronts.”

Next up for the stars of American Flat Track is the Bigger, Faster and Better DAYTONA TT on March 15, 2018, at Daytona International Speedway. Tickets start at just $29, and are on sale now via Daytona International Speedway’s website at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Events/2018/DAYTONA-TT/DAYTONA-TT.aspx or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.

For more information about Vance & Hines, please visit http://www.vanceandhines.com

About American Flat Track
American Flat Track is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on American Flat Track, please visit http://www.americanflattrack.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check us out on Instagram, live stream the events at FansChoice.tv and catch all the American Flat Track racing action on NBCSN.

The post Vance & Hines Signs Agreement with American Flat Track appeared first on Dirt Bikes.

BARCELONA, Spain (Dec. 16, 2017)–It was another night of action-packed Superprestigio racing on the short track at the Palau Sant Jordi, and when it was all said and done, it was American J.D. Beach standing atop the victory podium. Standing alongside were fellow American Flat Track racers Briar Bauman and Ferran Cardus, finishing second and third, respectively, rounding out what was a riveting and dominant performance by the trio.

It was a tough beginning to the day for Beach, as the No. 95 Ausio/Grau Racing Yamaha YZ450F rider had wheel and shock problems, requiring him to run a different set-up to what he’d ridden during his previous days in Spain. So it was all hands on deck from his team, fellow Americans and new friends in Spain. Beach not only rebounded from his rough beginning but absolutely shined in the finals, grabbing the Open Final win and then going on to take in dramatic fashion exactly what he flew to Barcelona for – the Superprestigio Final win for America.

“It was a crazy day for sure!” said Beach post-race. “After practice, we found that my front wheel was broken, so we started changing things… Everyone, and especially Briar’s team, has been such a help. Coming in, I didn’t expect this. I struggled yesterday, and qualifying wasn’t so good. But it worked out. Everyone helped. I’m at a loss for words, really. Gotta thank Brad Baker! He couldn’t make it this year, and I was the first guy he called. I was honored to take his spot. I’m pumped that Briar and I went 1-2. He wanted a different order, I’m sure, but it worked out. Hopefully, we can go on to Paris next year and fight again!”

Beach’s fellow American had to rebound to make it a Team USA One-Two. The No. 14 Zanotti Kawasaki KX450F rider came together with Cardus at the start but fought his way back to pass the Spanish Flat Track National Champion in the end and take second. It wasn’t exactly the result Bauman was hoping for, but he was happy to bring home a top result for the U.S. and enjoyed his first time overseas for his debut Superprestigio race.

“It was a little wild in that main event,” said Bauman afterward. “I had a pretty good start but got shuffled back to fifth or sixth early. It was very tight, and I had to make some aggressive moves; I think I got into just about everyone on the track at some point. Unfortunately, that’s how we grow up riding in America; you gotta muscle your way around sometimes. J.D. had my number for the Open finals. In the Super Final, my tire came in, and I was able to get second.”

As for Cardus, he was happy to put his No. 77 Team Grau Suzuki RM-Z450 on the podium and to continue his flat track racing education against two very tough short track riders from American Flat Track’s premier class.

“I’m quite happy, and I have enjoyed learning from all these great U.S. riders, from Brad (Baker), and JD, and Briar,” Cardus said. “I’m hoping to improve even more to do even better in the future, here in Spain and in the U.S. also. I’m working to come to the U.S. in 2018 and hopefully take part in all of the AFT championship events. Thanks again to Brad Baker and my Suzuki Team Grau for all the support.”

On the outside looking in was former Moto 2 World Champion/reigning MotoAmerica Superbike Toni Elias. The No. 24 Yoshimura Suzuki rider took top honors in the Superprestigio Class and got off to a great start, but fell victim to some good ol’ fashioned American-style short track racing, ultimately getting shuffled back to fourth. Completing the top five was Italian Fabio Di Giannantonio, a solid effort for the Moto3 rider on the No. 21 Zaeta.

Next up for the stars of American Flat Track is the Bigger, Faster and Better DAYTONA TT on March 15, 2018, at Daytona International Speedway. Tickets start at just $29, and are on sale now via Daytona International Speedway’s website at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Events/2018/DAYTONA-TT/DAYTONA-TT.aspx or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.

The post J.D. Beach Wins 2017 Superprestigio Flat Track in Spain appeared first on Dirt Bikes.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec 12, 2017)–Thanks to a thorough track redesign made possible by utilizing the NASCAR pit road at Daytona International Speedway as part of the racing surface, the 2018 Daytona TT race track will be bigger, better and significantly faster when American Flat Track launches the 2018 season on March 15, 2018.

By extending the track design from the tri-oval and taking over pitlane, seven-time Grand National Champion Chris Carr and his design team gained over 40 feet of width and were able to double the radiuses of the two book-end corners. The result will be faster cornering speeds, more passing opportunities for competitors, and more excitement for fans than the 2017 Daytona TT.

The higher cornering speeds will obviously result in faster straightaway speeds, which means negotiating the 6-foot-high jump incorporated into the second straightaway will be pivotal to the success of the racers that night. Carr’s redesign of the jump section will make it the largest jump the competitors will face all season long.

With the resumption of the epic battles between Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycle in 2017, with several other marques working to dethrone these two recent manufacturer champions, and with the hotly contested AFT Singles championship series set to begin anew, the Bigger, Better and Faster 2018 Daytona TT–which happens Thursday, March 15, 2018–is guaranteed to be the most exhilarating race held during Bike Week at Daytona.

The 2018 American Flat Track season will kick off with the 2018 Daytona TT on Thursday, March 15. Tickets start at just $29 and are on sale now. Get yours today by visiting Daytona International Speedway’s website at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Events/2018/DAYTONA-TT/DAYTONA-TT.aspx or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 20, 2017)–American Flat Track has announced its 18-race calendar for the 2018 season, which begins with the DAYTONA TT at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday, March 15, 2018, and finishes up just a stone’s throw from downtown New York City with the Meadowlands Mile at the famed Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on October 6.

America’s original extreme sport enters its 66th consecutive year of competition in 2018, and the championship will once again launch during DAYTONA Bike Week, but this time on a bigger, better and faster Daytona TT circuit built inside the legendary tri-oval at the World Center of Racing. Seven-time Grand National Champion Chris Carr has redesigned the track to better showcase the speed and ferocity of pro flat track competition.

Comprised of eight Mile races, five Half-Miles, three TTs, and two Short Track events, the 2018 series features two new venues–the mile track at New Jersey’s Meadowlands Sports Complex and the Short Track at Weedsport Speedway in Weedsport, New York–and one location returning to the calendar, the mile track at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minnesota. Both the Canterbury Park and Meadowlands facilities are high-end horse-racing parks with modern amenities, while Weedsport Speedway, situated between Rochester and Syracuse, New York, recently received significant upgrades and is now hailed as one of the country’s finest dirt speedways.

American Flat Track enters its second year of broadcast coverage on NBCSN and fifth year of live streaming coverage on FansChoice.tv. The American Flat Track series concluded 2017 with record-breaking TV and live streaming numbers that resulted in the largest viewing audience in the storied history of the sport. An enhanced broadcast package, featuring improved coverage and exciting new broadcast airdates, is planned for the 2018 American Flat Track schedule and will be announced in the coming months.

Tickets for the 2018 running of the DAYTONA TT are now on sale and going fast. To reserve your seats at the World Center of Racing for the biggest spectacle of DAYTONA Bike Week, visit Daytona International Speedway’s website http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP.

 

2018 American Flat Track Schedule

1. March 15: DAYTONA TT – Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida
2. April 7: Atlanta Short Track – Dixie Speedway, Woodstock, Georgia
3. April 28: Texas Half-Mile – Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, Texas
4. May 5: Calistoga Half-Mile – Calistoga Speedway, Calistoga, California
5. May 12: Arizona Mile – Turf Paradise, Phoenix, Arizona
6. May 19: Sacramento Mile – Cal Expo, Sacramento, California
7. May 27: Springfield Mile I – Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Illinois
8. June 2: Red Mile – Red Mile, Lexington, Kentucky
9. June 16: OKC Mile – Remington Park, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
10. June 30: Lima Half-Mile – Allen County Fairgrounds, Lima, Ohio
11. July 7: Weedsport Short Track – Weedsport Speedway, Weedsport, New York
12. August 5: Buffalo Chip TT – Buffalo Chip, Sturgis, South Dakota
13. August 7: Black Hills Half-Mile – Rapid City Speedway, Rapid City, South Dakota
14. August 18: Peoria TT – Peoria Motorcycle Club, Peoria, Illinois
15. September 2: Springfield Mile II – Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Illinois
16. September 8: Williams Grove Half-Mile – Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
17. September 29: Canterbury Park Mile – Canterbury Park, Shakopee, Minnesota
18. October 6: Meadowlands Mile – Meadowlands, East Rutherford, New Jersey

About American Flat Track:
American Flat Track is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on American Flat Track, please visit http://www.americanflattrack.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check us out on Instagram, live stream the events at FansChoice.tv and catch all the American Flat Track racing action on NBCSN.

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