AMA Pro Flat Track Kicks-Off 2016 Season at Daytona
AMA Pro Flat Track slides sideways into the 2016 season on March 10th with the first of 15 events at Daytona International Speedway.
For those unfamiliar with America’s original extreme sport — flat track racing dates back to the 1920s — riders battle it out in close proximity on mile and half-mile courses, drifting through turns and reaching speeds over 130 mph.
Of course, when the nature of flat track racing is toeing the line between grip and drift, a small mistake can result in a big crash:
According to veteran racer Henry Wiles, who rides the #17 Zanotti Racing entry, he’s had thoughts of “don’t crash, don’t crash” and “it’s going to hurt” run through his head plenty of times, but overall, “it’s definitely a fun feeling dancing on that fine line.”
Riders go through a lot of trial and error as they fine tune their techniques and master the tracks, and when you add side-by-side drifting along with the variety of motorcycle manufacturers — American, Japanese and European — there’s never a dull moment for fans.
While other motorsports struggle to maintain a narrow performance gap between its competitors (read: things get boring after the opening laps), Pro Flat Track has been immune to this issue thanks to the many initiatives of the series’ governing body. “AMA Pro Racing’s job is to evolve the business of racing without harming the on-track action,” says Michael Lock, CEO of AMA Pro Racing.
Don’t believe it’s possible? See for yourself with highlights from 2015:
Like all forms of racing, Pro Flat Track is best enjoyed in person. Check below for the full 2016 season schedule, and find a race near you.
March 10: DAYTONA Flat Track I – Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fla.
March 11: DAYTONA Flat Track II – Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fla.
April 9: Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas
May 14: Arizona Mile – Turf Paradise, Phoenix, Ariz.
May 21: Sacramento Mile – Cal Expo Fair, Sacramento, Calif.
May 29: Springfield Mile I – Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Ill.
June 18: Oklahoma City Mile – Remington Park, Oklahoma City, Okla.
June 25: Lima Half-Mile – Allen County Fairgrounds, Lima, Ohio
July 30: Charlotte Half-Mile – Charlotte Motor Speedway, Charlotte, N.C.
August 9: Sturgis Half-Mile – Black Hills Speedway, Rapid City, S.D.
August 14: Peoria TT – Peoria Motorcycle Club, Peoria, Ill.
August 20: TBA, New York State
September 4: Springfield Mile II – Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Ill.
September 17: TBA, Southern California
Early October: TBA, Northern California
Can’t make it to the track? Watch via live stream at FansChoice.tv!
Visit AMA Pro Racing’s official website to see rider profiles and learn more about flat track racing.
Images courtesy AMA Pro Racing.
