VOL. 53 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 27, 2016 P27
they compete for their chance
to make it to the prestigious AFT
Twins ranks.
There are also changes to
event format which promise an
action-packed program of rac-
ing. The traditional format will
move to a tournament style for-
mat, where the fastest 48 riders
from timed qualifying advance
to the heats. From there, the
race program will consist of four
six-lap heats with nine of the 12
riders transferring to one of the
two semis. What was tradition-
ally a last chance effort to make
the main, the new semi format
is a knockout round where 18
riders duke it out for the nine
spots that transfer them to the
18-rider main. The main events
themselves see little changes,
with the premiere AFT Twins
class keeping its traditional
25-lap main and the support
AFT Singles class sees a slight
increase from 12 to 15 laps.
Adding to the excitement in
2017, the American Flat Track se-
ries will also be the battleground
for one of the oldest rivalries
in motorcycle racing – Harley-
Davidson and Indian Motorcycle.
The American Flat Track series
in its entirety will continue its
growth by introducing new global
manufacturers to the sport and
will see elevated support from
current and new partners.
In keeping with the goals to
streamline and modernize the
series, AMA Pro Racing has
worked diligently with the Advi-
sory Group to rewrite and en-
hance the rulebook for the 2017
season. The driving force behind
the updated rulebook is to focus
on the safety and performance
of the overall racing experience.
The list of partners and the 2017
rulebook will be available at later
dates.
Earlier in the 2016 season,
AMA Pro Racing announced
the formation of subsidiary
company AFT Events and the
brand-new apparel line American
Flat Tracker. These companies
have served as a springboard for
the launch of the American Flat
Track series and will continue to
innovate in new ways to elevate
the level of the entire event ex-
perience for fans, teams and the
overall sport of professional Flat
Track. CN
AFT TT RACING ADDED TO DAYTONA BIKE WEEK
A
n exciting change is happening to one of
Daytona International Speedway's (DIS) most
popular Bike Week events. DIS announced that
American Flat Track (AFT) will debut its 2017
season inside the "World Center of Racing" on a
one-of-a-kind 0.6-mile TT course. The Daytona TT,
scheduled on the evening of Thursday, March 16,
will feature twin-cylinder motorcycles in the AFT
Twins class, while single-cylinder machines will
battle it out in AFT Singles. With a racing schedule
that includes the Daytona Supercross By Honda,
Ricky Carmichael Amateur Supercross, the all-
new Daytona TT and the famed Daytona 200, DIS
will play host to the festival of motorcycle racing in
2017.
The TT moniker indicates turns in both direc-
tions and a jump has been incorporated into the
track design for the Daytona TT. To showcase the
high speed and intensity of the sport, the track
design will feature a fast, sweeping left hand turn
alongside the front stretch of the famed circuit.
"Staging the Daytona TT inside the motorsports
stadium will expose a new group of guests to the
many amenities available following the recently
completed $400 million front-stretch renovation
project," DIS Track President Chip Wile said. "It's
also going to be a great opportunity for racers in
American Flat Track to compete inside the Speed-
way battling for a coveted Daytona trophy as part
of Bike Week."
Tickets to the Daytona TT go on sale Tuesday,
September 27 at 9 a.m. and can be purchased
at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by
calling 1-800-PITSHOP. CN
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY
DAVE
HOENIG
