AMA Pro Racing Releases 2017 Schedule for American Flat Track Series (formerly know as AMA Pro Flat Track)

AMA Pro Racing, the sanctioning body for the newly rebranded American Flat Track series (formerly known as AMA Pro Flat Track) today released the new schedule for the 2017 season. The release of the schedule this early is the first time in years (and maybe more then a decade) that it has been released in it's entirety before the middle or end of November.

With many returning favorites (Springfield, Lima, Peoria, Rapid City, Sacramento, and Charlotte), some new venues added to the series' ranks (Elbridge, NY, Mechanicsburg, PA, Fort Worth, TX, Perris, CA, Woodstock, GA, and Phoenix, AZ) and some returning sites that have been visited in previous years (Lexington, KY, Calistoga, CA, and Oklahoma City, OK), two newly revamped races have also been added to the circuit (Daytona TT and Sturgis TT) making for an 18-race romp through the season that will kick off in Daytona on March 16 and wrap-up at the Perris Auto Speedway on October 7.

Overall the schedule will visit seven half-mile venues, five mile venues (with Springfield running their usual spring and late summer dates), three TT venues and two short track venues that will showcase the series' new 'Twins-only' platform across the board in all forms of racing.

In the shot above, riders roar off the line during the restart of round 6 of the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines series at the Springfield Mile I on May 29.

(L-R) Eventual 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Champion Bryan Smith on the #42 Crosley Brands/T&T Construction/Howerton Motorsports Kawasaki leads the charge that will eventually see him bag the win after the 25-lap National main held at the Illinois State Fairgrounds mile oval.

Following along off the front row are 2015 AMA Grand National Champion Jared Mees on the #1 Las Vegas H-D/Rogers Racing/Harley-Davidson Motor Company XR750, Brandon Robinson on the #44 Kennedy Racing/Armbruster Racing/J&H Repair Kawasaki, 2016 Saddlemen AMA Pro Flat Track Rookie of the Year JR Addison on the #24F Smith Racing/J&F Construction/Moto Option Kawasaki, Brad Baker on the #6 Harley-Davidson Motor Co/Vance & Hines/Screaming Eagle factory XR750 and Jake Johnson on the #5 Zanotti Racing/Classic H-D/Harley-Davidson Motor Company XR750.

Also seen in this shot are 2016 Canadian Flat Track Champion Doug Lawrence on the #73 Glidden Racing/Dreyer Motorsports/Doug Lawrence Racing Kawasaki (just over JR Addison #24F's right shoulder coming off of the second row) and Kenny Coolbeth on the #2 Zanotti Racing/Harley-Davidson/Gator H-D XR750 (also coming off the second row and seen over Jake Johnson #5's right shoulder.)

It's great to see the schedule released so early for the first time in what seems like ages, which will undoubtedly help not only the teams, sponsors and riders but especially the fans to be able to schedule their travel and vacation plans this far in advance for a change. Bravo to AMA Pro Racing for getting this pulled off so early!

With the long winter months getting ready to set in in and around the Midwest, we can at least look forward to 2017 some 40 days off, and with Daytona set for the middle of March again that means that racing in the greatest two wheeled racing show in the world is now only five months and five days away!

You can check out the full press release and schedule below thanks to AMA Pro Racing and the newly renamed American Flat Track series dates and venues and start making your plans now.

AMA Pro Racing announces 2017 American Flat Track schedule

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 11, 2016) – AMA Pro Racing is proud to announce an expanded 18-round schedule for the debut season of the newly rebranded American Flat Track series (formerly AMA Pro Flat Track). The 2017 calendar includes improvements to geographic diversity, the mix of track configurations (six Miles, seven Half-Miles, two Short Tracks and three TTs) and boasts the most rounds on a schedule since 2011. American Flat Track has been re-envisioned for 2017. In addition to a rebranding of the series, the class structure and event format have also been modernized. Every event on the 2017 schedule will feature the world’s best flat track motorcycle racers competing on powerful, twin-cylinder motorcycles in the AFT Twins class, while the rising stars of the sport battle it out on spirited single-cylinder machines in AFT Singles. AMA Pro Racing’s subsidiary promotions company AFT Events, which was formed in 2016 to develop the event experience and bring the sport to new markets, has expanded from a single round in 2016 to eight next season. That expansion has allowed for careful consideration in the planning of the calendar, which features an efficient, streamlined flow of events aimed at minimizing costs for participants.   The 2017 season will kick off on March 16 during Bike Week in Daytona Beach, Fla. on a new TT circuit under the bright lights inside Daytona International Speedway. The debut event is moving inside the “World Center of Racing” on a one-of-a-kind .6-mile TT track designed by seven-time Grand National Champion Chris Carr. The DAYTONA TT will mark the dawning of a new era for America’s most historic form of motorcycle racing, and will serve as the first battleground for the great American war between Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycles in 2017. 2017 American Flat Track Schedule   March 16: DAYTONA TT – Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fla. March 25: Georgia Short Track – Dixie Speedway, Woodstock, Ga. April 1: Charlotte Half-Mile – Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, N.C. May 13: Arizona Mile – Turf Paradise, Phoenix, Ariz. May 20: Sacramento Mile – Cal Expo Fairgrounds, Sacramento, Calif. May 27-28: Springfield Mile I* – Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Ill. June 3: Red Mile – The Red Mile, Lexington, Ky. June 17: OKC Mile – Remington Park, Oklahoma City June 24: Lima Half-Mile – Allen County Fairgrounds, Lima, Ohio July 8: Rolling Wheels Half-Mile – Rolling Wheels Raceway Park, Elbridge, N.Y. July 29: Calistoga Half-Mile – Calistoga Speedway, Calistoga, Calif. Aug. 6: Buffalo Chip TT presented by Indian Motorcycle – Buffalo Chip Campgrounds, Sturgis, S.D. Aug. 8: Black Hills Half-Mile – Black Hills Speedway, Rapid City, S.D. Aug. 13: Peoria TT – Peoria Motorcycle Club, Peoria, Ill. Sept. 2-3: Springfield Mile II** – Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Ill. Sept. 9: Williams Grove Half-Mile – Williams Gove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, Pa. Sept. 23: Lone Star Half-Mile – Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, Texas Oct. 7: Perris Short Track – Perris Auto Speedway, Perris, Calif. * AFT Singles will race a TT on May 27 ** AFT Singles will race a Short Track on Sept. 2   Next Up: American Flat Track will kick off the 2017 season during Daytona’s Bike Week on Thursday, March 16 with the all-new DAYTONA TT, built inside the trioval at the “World Center of Racing.” The DAYTONA TT will mark the dawning of a new era for America’s most historic form of motorcycle racing, and will serve as the first battleground for the great American war between Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycles in 2017. T Tickets for the DAYTONA TT are now on sale and can be purchased at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com. How to Watch:   FansChoice.tv is the official home for live streaming coverage of American Flat Track events. The site also provides coverage of IMSA's development and single-make series, and NASCAR's touring and weekly series. Catch all the action at http://www.FansChoice.tv.   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 www.amaproracing.com/flat-track follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook or live stream the on-track action on FansChoice.tv. About AMA Pro Racing: AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.

For additional information contact:     AMA Pro Racing Communications, (386) 492-1014, communications@amaproracing.com

Bryan Smith Goes 3-for-3 at AMA Pro Flat Track Springfield Mile I and Makes it Three In-A-Row On the Season

Round 6 of the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines series again proved the dominance of Howerton Motorsports Kawasaki's Bryan Smith on the mile ovals as Flyin' Bryan took his third win in-a-row on the season (all on mile ovals) and his third-straight win at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Unfortunately, Sunday's race got off to a bad start when Brad Baker on the factory H-D XR750 got into CR Motorsports' Stevie Bonsey at the start of the second go-around heading into turn one. Even worse, Bonsey's bike split the airfence and the haybales, causing Bonsey to go into the fence hard. After being hauled out by the ambulance, Bonsey was and is reported as having suffered a neck fracture that will now cause him to have to wear a halo for the next couple of months, but per postings on Facebook he appears very upbeat and ready to get the healing process completed and return to action. You can keep up with his updates here on FB.

After the restart, it was a big duel all the way around for the 25-lap National main, which saw no fewer then six combatants going at it all over, especially heading to the stripe. Smith ended up leading 16 laps, with Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. credited with a lap, Jared Mees with five laps and Baker with three. And those were just at the stripe. Also in the mix for the entire battle were Brandon Robinson on the Kennedy Kawasaki, with Glidden/Dreyer Motorsports' Doug Lawrence doing a great job of hanging just shy of the top-5 at the end.

In the shot above, riders hit the gas on the restart of round 6 of the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines series at the Springfield Mile I on Memorial Day Weekend Sunday, May 29.

(L-R) Eventual winner Bryan Smith on the #42 Crosley Brands/T&T Construction/Howerton Motorsports-sponsored Kawasaki, Jared Mees on the #1 Las Vegas H-D/Rogers Racing/Harley-Davidson Motor Co-backed XR750 (2nd-place finish), Brandon Robinson on the #44 Kennedy Racing/Armbruster Racing/J&H Repair-sponsored Kawasaki (4th-place finish), JR Addison on the #24F Smith Racing/J&F Construction/Moto Option-sponsored Kawasaki (17th-place finish), Brad Baker on the #6 Harley-Davidson Motor Co/Vance & Hines/Screaming Eagle-backed factory XR750 (3rd-place finish) and Jake Johnson on the #5 Zanotti Racing/Classic H-D/Harley-Davidson Motor Co-backed XR750 (11th-place finish) lead the charge off the front row.

Also part of the mix are Doug Lawrence (2nd row, behind Addison) on the #73 Glidden Racing/Dreyer Motorsports/Doug Lawrence Racing-sponsored Kawasaki (6th-place finish) and Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. (just behind team mate Jake Johnson) on the #2 Zanotti Racing/Harley-Davidson/Gator H-D-sponsored XR750 (5th-place finish). 

The top five finishers were separated by only .220 seconds after the 25-lap main, with 6th-place finisher Lawrence on the Indy-based Glidden/Dreyer Kawasaki just .503 seconds behind Coolbeth. Also of note, a big tip of the helmet to Jeremy Higgins on the #82 Higgins Racing Kawasaki for what may have been his career-best mile finish of 7th-place.

A big thumbs up to Ryan Wells for winning his first-ever Twins Series event in the GNC2 class, while local Indy resident and first year Pro rider Kevin Stollings taking home his first-ever podium in a Twins event and leading several laps during the GNC2 main to nearly nip Wells at the stripe only to come up short by .033 seconds. Keep an eye on this Stollings youngster as he has a very bright future ahead of him.

For more on last Sunday's races, check out all of AMA Pro Flat Track's videos and reports below, as the racing at Springfield as usual didn't disappoint.

You can also get the full results here, and Cycle News' Dave Hoenig's report here as well.

Kawasaki's Bryan Smith wins third consecutive Mile in 2016 at Springfield Mile I

Video Highlights and Photos from the 2016 Springfield Mile: VIDEO: GNC1 Main Finish VIDEO: GNC1 Main Highlights VIDEO: GNC2 Main Highlights PHOTO: 2016 Springfield Mile Photos SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (May 29, 2016) - Bryan Smith proved his dominance at the Springfield Mile I on Sunday, taking home his third consecutive Mile victory of the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track season. This Mile win didn't come as easily, as the Michigan native had to fight to the finish with a pack of riders every lap, topping second place finisher No. 1 Jared Mees by a margin of 0.119 of a second at the conclusion of the race. Smith, who pilots the third-generation No. 42 Crosley/Howerton Kawasaki Ninja 650, wrestled tirelessly with Harley-Davidson-mounted riders, Mees, eventual third place finisher No. 6 Brad Baker and No. 2 Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. and was officially scored with leading 16 of the 25-lap Main Event. The win was also Smith's third consecutive Springfield Mile victory, having won both of last year's contests at the historic venue. "It feels pretty awesome," Smith said. "To have three Miles back-to-back and win them all. I don't care what kind of track it is, it's awesome. But to win the Miles that I love, obviously to have three in a row at a historic venue like Springfield, is great. There's not just one thing that was going through my mind through the last lap. There was a million thoughts of what to do, what not to do, go fast, not too fast, spin the tires, just a million thoughts. I was able to get just enough of a draft off of turn four in that last lap and just barely squeak by Jared." Three-time and reigning Grand National Champion Mees expressed his desire to win the coming races over the "Mile Specialist" but shared his appreciation for the bar-to-bar racing that went down during Sunday's race. "It's definitely getting old finishing second on the Miles to the same guy," Mees said. "But hats off to those guys. They're working hard and that thing is fast. It's hard to get it before the finish line but the team is working really hard and we're trying to find more and more power and reliability. I felt like we had a little bit more than last year but you know, it is Mile racing at its best and a close finish is normal at the Springfield Mile." Baker officially led three laps during the Main by using the all-important draft to push past his competitors. The Washington native took home the final spot on the podium. "It feels really good," Baker said. "I've had the speed the last three races or so but it feels good to be here on the podium. It was a really fun race and the end of the race was an all-out battle." Baker's Factory Harley-Davidson teammate No. 67 Davis Fisher had a lot to prove with the competition debut of the next generation Harley-Davidson XG750R, and the rising star did not disappoint. Fisher experienced a mechanical issue in his Heat race but earned his Main Event starting spot thanks to a photo finish in his Semi race for the final transfer position. After picking off riders throughout the Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines Main Event, Fisher earned the new machine its first Top 10 result with his eighth place finish. "Davis is doing a great job of developing the new bike and moving forward with it but we know the XR is proven and capable of winning," Baker continued. "Now we know the XG is capable of getting into the top 10 and now we have to see if it is capable of getting on the podium and winning. Until it gets to that point, I'm going to keep on the old, faithful XR750 that's been around for 44 years and then eventually going to be jumping onto that thing when it's ready. I want that bike to get better because if it gets better than the XR that means I'll have a weapon to try to get on the top spot or the box on these Miles instead of always nipping at the heels of the Kawasaki." Smith now leads the Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines point standings by 16 points over No. 69 Sammy Halbert, 110-94. In the GNC2 class, No. 94B Ryan Wells was unrelenting as he duked it out for his first Mile win of the 2016 season with second place finisher No. 99J Kevin Stollings and third place No. 23F Jeffery Lowery. "It's my first Mile (win) and it's awesome," Wells said. "Especially at the Springfield Mile, the biggest Mile you could win, and for it to be a typical Springfield Mile ending, winning by half of a tire, it's cool. I would have liked to win by more but it's awesome. I wish I wouldn't have seen a red flag with two laps to go but it all worked out and I'm happy. I knew I had a fast bike but I was drafting Stollings earlier in the race, and the kid's real small and lightweight, so I knew if anybody could get by me before the line it would be him. I came out of turn four and I heard somebody; I peeked down underneath my handlebars and I saw the red bike and I knew it was him. I got as small as I could and was watching our front wheels go across the line and I was pretty pumped about it." Wells now leads the GNC2 point standings by 18 points over No. 14A Dalton Gauthier, 103-85. Award Updates Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines: Harley-Davidson Pole Award: No. 42 Bryan Smith McElroy Packaging Lucky 13 Award Winner: No. 1 Jared Mees MotoBatt Hard Charger Award Winner: No. 67 Davis Fisher Öhlins Fastest Lap Award Winner: No. 73 Doug Lawrence Sunoco "Go The Distance" Award Leader: No. 65 Cory Texter (197.5 miles completed) GNC2: Larry and Judy McElroy Rookie of the Race Award Winner: No. 99J Kevin Stollings Westside Truck Parts "Just off the Box" Award Winners: No. 27U Jamison Minor (4th), No. 16S Tristan Avery (5th) Sunoco "Go The Distance" Award Leader: No. Dylan Morin (136.75 miles completed) How to Watch: FansChoice.tv is the official home for live streaming coverage of AMA Pro Flat Track events. The site also provides coverage of IMSA's development and single-make series, and NASCAR's touring and weekly series. Catch all the action at http://www.FansChoice.tv. About AMA Pro Flat Track: AMA Pro 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 AMA Pro Flat Track, please visit www.amaproracing.com/ft/, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook or live stream the on-track action on FansChoice.tv. About AMA Pro Racing: AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.

For additional information contact: AMA Pro Racing Communications, (386) 492-1014, communications@amaproracing.com

FansChoice.tv coverage from Round Six at the Springfield Mile I is now available for VOD viewing

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (May 30, 2016) - AMA Pro Flat Track has completed Round 6 at the Springfield Mile I on May 29 where Kawasaki-mounted No. 42 Bryan Smith secured his third Mile win of the season over three-time Grand National Champion No. 1 Jared Mees, while Factory Harley-Davidson rider No.6 Brad Baker came in third. Also, be sure to watch No. 67 Davis Fisher pilot the new generation Harley-Davidson XG750R into a top 10 finish in the GNC1 Main Event. VOD coverage of Round 6 for both the Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines and GNC2 classes is now available in high-definition on FansChoice.tv and can be accessed by following the links below. 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Springfield Mile I: 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track GNC1 Main 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track GNC2 Main   2016 AMA Pro Flat Track GNC1 and GNC2 Semis 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track GNC1 and GNC2 Heats 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Pre-Race Show Other videos from AMA Pro Flat Track can be viewed using the following links: FansChoice.tv: http://www.fanschoice.tv/ama-pro Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AMAProFlatTrackSeries/videos YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AMAProVids/videos Photos by: Brian J. Nelson How to Watch: FansChoice.tv is the official home for live streaming coverage of AMA Pro Flat Track events. The site also provides coverage of IMSA's development and single-make series, and NASCAR's touring and weekly series. Catch all the action at http://www.FansChoice.tv. About AMA Pro Flat Track: AMA Pro 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 AMA Pro Flat Track, please visit www.amaproracing.com/ft/, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook or live stream the on-track action on FansChoice.tv. About AMA Pro Racing: AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.

For additional information contact: AMA Pro Racing Communications, (386) 492-1014, communications@amaproracing.com

Brandon Robinson's Savannah & Volusia Steve Nace All-Star Racing & AMA Pro Flat Track Daytona Race Report

Brandon Robinson left rounds 1 & 2 of the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines series in Daytona with a firm hold on 3rd-place in the overall championship standings after wrapping up a solid 2-6 finish in both races at the Daytona Beach stadium season opener.

With Thursday night's winner Sammy Halbert leading the standings with 40 points and Friday night's winner Jake Johnson close behind in 2nd-place with 37 points, BRob44 is in good company another five points back with the next event in Austin, TX. in just three short weeks on Saturday, April 9.

In the shot above, Robinson puts his #44 TJ Burnett Farms/John Y Racing/Armbruster Racing-sponsored Honda CRF450R through it's paces during qualifying for the Peoria TT during round 10 of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines series in Thunder Valley on August 16.

Robinson was also rewarded with a fine effort in both rounds of the Steve Nace AMA All-Star National Flat Track Series in Savannah, GA. and Barberville, FL. to kick off his new season with his new team, Jerry Kennedy Racing. BRob44 will be racing XR750s and Kawasakis this season after spending last year riding for the Latus Motorsports Triumph team, getting him back on more familiar equipment in the Kawasakis with which he won the double on back in 2013 while riding for the TJ Burnett Farms Kawasaki squad. He also will have the benefit of reteaming with one of the finest tuners in the business in Brent Armbruster, so their second year together should prove very rewarding.

Check out BRob's official race report below and keep an eye out for the Pennsylvania resident this year as he should be a force to be reckoned with in the fight for the championship. Congrats to Brandon and the team for a great start to the season and the best of luck for this year as the season progresses!



Press release courtesy of Brandon 'BRob44' Robinson


BRob44 Daytona Race Report


Oxford, PA. -- March 18, 2016

Hey everyone!

Well another Daytona Bike Week has come & gone. Seems like every year it goes by faster & faster, but as always it was a blast!

I left a week earlier than normal this year to go meet up with my tuner, Brent Armbruster, up in Michigan to help get everything finished up & loaded. First stop on the Kennedy Racing trip was Savannah, and boy do I love Savannah! It is my absolute favorite track so it's always good to do some testing & kick off the new season there.

On to race day, had a hard fought battle in the Singles main with Mees & Baker, which saw each of us take turns at the lead. Ended up with a very close 3rd in that one.  Felt like I let the Singles win slip through my fingers so I went out for the Twins main with a plan for some redemption.  

Got a great start & took the lead coming off turn two where I never looked back! Ended up winning the Twins main by darn near a straightaway! It was a huge confidence booster & a perfect way to start off the new season with my new team. Let's just say the guys were pretty stoked!  

The next event we planned on was the All-Star National at Barberville. A bunch of guys tend to skip this race because of how the track has been in the past, but Steve Nace did a great job with the track prep and gave us a good track to race on. 

For some reason all day I was just a tick off & felt like I was struggling. It was one of those days where every time I got a good start the race would get red flagged, then on the restart well, yup you guessed it, I would suck it up & have to work my way from behind. Anyways I ended up with a 4th in the Singles class & a solid 3rd in the Twins. Not a bad day, but not what I was looking for.

We had a day off before we did a little bit of testing on the Singles to prepare for Daytona where we actually bounced around to a couple different tracks. It was kinda nice to get a bunch of laps in & try some new things. The next day Brent cleaned up all the bikes & well I took advantage of the warm weather and goofed off on my Jamis bicycle for a while!  
All the preparation & hard work was about to be put to the test at the first National of the year, the Daytona short track! Unlike most riders on the circuit, I absolutely love Daytona. I love how challenging this track is & the fact that I got my first Grand National win there don't hurt either!  

Qualifying on day one went pretty good where we ended up 5th overall. I ended up 2nd in my heat to Johnny Lewis. Brent made a couple small changes to the bike as the track was starting to get really rough. We made the right changes for sure as I was able to move my way up to 2nd pretty quick in the opening laps of the main. From there I played a game of cat & mouse with Sammy Halbert, where I just never got close enough to do anything with him. With a couple laps to go I just settled in and brought the Kennedy Racing/Armbruster Racing/TJ Burnett Farms Honda 450 home in 2nd-place!  It was a great feeling getting back on the box, feels like its been forever!  

 

Brandon Robinson is shown on the podium
after his 2nd-place finish at the AMA Pro Flat
Track Grand National Championship round 1 at
the Daytona Short Track. Photo courtesy of
Brandon Robinson by Jerry Kennedy.

The cool thing about Daytona is we get the chance to do it all over again the next day. Day two in qualifying didn't go quite as smooth. Felt a tad off all day as the track was a bit different than normal. I ended up going down in the last session, which happened to be the faster session so I ended up a dismal 21st overall. I wasn't too worried as I knew we were a lot better than that & when it comes to racing I seem to always step it up a bit.  

I was on the second row for my heat race, but with an aggressive first couple laps I was able to work my way up to a 3rd-place finish & a direct transfer to the main. In the main I got probably the most gnarly start of my life where I was like 4th getting into turn one from the second row! Not sure how in the world I pulled that one off haha, but I sure liked it. 

Unfortunately I wasn't able to capitalize on that great start & I faded just a tad to an eventual 6th-place finish. I was pretty disappointed with myself as that is the worst I've finished in Daytona in the past four years. The track was definitely different though, something we have never seen where you could ride much higher than the normal bottom feeder line.  It was pretty greasy, but everyone has the same track so no excuses.  

 

Overall we had a great bike week & leaving Daytona 3rd overall in the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship isn't a bad way to start the year!  

 

Big thanks to my crew; Jerry, Brent, Lee, & TJ, all of our sponsors, fans, & my family for coming out to support me!  I appreciate it all, until next time, see y'all in Texas!  

Thanks, B!

Brandon Lee Robinson

15 Wood Valley Ln.

Oxford, PA 19363

484-888-9485

 

Twitter: @BRob44

Instagram: @BRob44

Facebook: Brandon Robinson

 

 

 

 

Tickets Now On Sale for COTA Round on April 9 & Just-Added Central New York Raceway Park Round on August 20 Completes 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Schedule

SMI Promotions, the promoters of round 3 of the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship season in Austin, TX has announced that tickets are now on sale for the COTA round of the series scheduled for Saturday, April 9. This will be the first points-paying event at the new facility after The Rolling Thunder Show's initial appearance at the facility in early June '15 as part of the ESPN XGames. The new track will also be designed by 7-Time AMA Grand National Champion Chris Carr.

And AMA Pro Flat Track has completed the 2016 schedule with the addition of a new facility in Central New York State. Central New York Raceway Park has been added to the schedule for round 12 of the season on Saturday, August 20, located in the Syracuse, NY area. The new track is touted as a 'new state-of-the-art' facility due to it's new and innovative surface.

In the shot above, racers roar off the line during one of the restarts during round 5 of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines series at the Allen County Fairground on June 28.

(L-R) Brad Baker on the #6 Harley-Davidson Motor Co/Screaming Eagle Performance Products/Arai Helmets-sponsored factory XR750, Brandon Robinson on the #44 Latus Motorsports/Castrol/Triumph America-sponsored Triumph Bonneville, Henry Wiles on the #17 Zanotti Racing/Motion Pro/Bell Helmets-backed XR750, Sammy Halbert on the #7 Briggs Auto/Martin Trucking/Lucas Oil-sponsored XR750 and Jared Mees on the #1 Las Vegas H-D/Rogers Racing/Harley-Davidson Motor Co-sponsored XR750 fight through the spray during the running of the Lima Half-Mile.

Also seen fighting for position in this shot are Jake Shoemaker on the #55 Bonneville Performance/Castrol/Triumph-sponsored Triumph Bonneville (partially hidden over Halbert's right shoulder), Johnny Lewis on the #10 Lloyd Brothers Motorsports/Ducati.net/Vintage Motorcycles-backed Ducati 1100 (just over Mees' helmet) and Steve Bonsey on the #80 Dodge Brothers Racing/Classic Harley-Davidson/Alpinestars-sponsored XR750.

With the new signing of the NY facility, this makes 14 rounds for the 2016 season.

You can read all about where and how to get your tickets for the COTA round next month and the NY track addition in August below thanks to AMA Pro Flat Track's official press releases.

Tickets now on sale for AMA Pro Flat Track COTA Half-Mile during the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Mar. 10, 2016) - The world's best dirt track racers will take to their twin-cylinder motorcycles for the first time in 2016 when AMA Pro Flat Track debuts at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) on Saturday, April 9, during the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas race weekend. Both the Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines and GNC2 classes will compete on a brand new and purpose-built half-mile track designed by seven-time Grand National Champion Chris Carr. The AMA Pro Flat Track races will be run less than a quarter of a mile away from the main entrance to COTA's road racing circuit where both MotoGP and MotoAmerica will be competing over the weekend. Both the GNC1 and GNC2 classes will be showcased, introducing a new and exciting type of motorcycle racing to Red Bull Grand Prix fans after road racing qualifying concludes on Saturday afternoon. "My team has been working tirelessly alongside AMA Pro Racing to bring this event to the fans," said Steve McLaughlin, Team SMI promoter. "Together, we have been able to bring all of the moving pieces together to create a unique experience for the motorcycle racing world and we're already receiving a lot of crossover support from the road racing paddock." A full field of top GNC1 riders will be hoping to make history in Texas by becoming the first main event winner on the re-engineered COTA Half-Mile circuit. The list includes three-time and reigning GNC1 Champion Jared Mees, perennial title contender and X Games gold medalist Bryan Smith, ageless veteran Kenny Coolbeth, Jr., Saddlemen Rookie of The Year contender Davis Fisher and his Factory Harley-Davidson teammate Brad Baker, Jake Johnson, Sammy Halbert and many more. In keeping with the Red Bull Grand Prix weekend's international flavor, motorcycles from three different continents will be represented in the AMA Pro Flat Track entries, including Harley-Davidson, Triumph, Ducati, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and more. Tickets for the inaugural event, with seating limited to the first 4,000 fans on a first come, first served basis, are now available. Pricing ranges from $55 for adults down to free admission for children 12 and under. A variety of ticket packages and special discounts will be available, and more information can be found at www.texasflattrack.com/tickets/. For tickets and additional information on the event, please contact Team SMI toll free at 1-844-722-6453. For group sales, contact the Circuit of The Americas Box Office at 1-512-301-6600. For more information, please visit the event website at www.texasflattrack.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/texasflattrack/ and follow the Twitter account at @TexasFlatTrack. How to Watch:   FansChoice.tv is the official home for live streaming coverage of AMA Pro Flat Track events. The site also provides coverage of IMSA's development and single-make series, and NASCAR's touring and weekly series. Catch all the action at http://www.FansChoice.tv. About AMA Pro Flat Track:   AMA Pro 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 AMA Pro Flat Track, please visit www.amaproracing.com/ft/, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook or live stream the on-track action on FansChoice.tv.  About AMA Pro Racing: AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.

For additional information contact:   AMA Pro Racing Communications, (386) 492-1014, communications@amaproracing.com

2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Schedule Finalized With Central New York Raceway Park Confirmed As Round 12

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Mar. 9, 2016) - AMA Pro Racing announced today the finalization of the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track schedule and confirmed that Central New York Raceway Park (CNYRP), the ground-breaking facility in central New York, will host Round 12 of the series on Saturday, August 20. The debut event at the all-new facility will feature both the Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines and GNC2 classes in action and completes the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track 14 round schedule. The innovative new circuit in Central Square, N.Y, which is located just North of Syracuse in Oswego County, will have a state-of-the-art racing surface comprised of a substance called "SYNDI," which is a synthetic wax additive that has been combined with clay in order to create a dustless surface to benefit racers and fans alike. This unique application has been designed to save time on race day preparation and will also greatly diminish the length of weather delays with a quicker drying time.    "Bringing Pro Flat Track back to upstate New York is a great opportunity for our sport," said Michael Lock, CEO of AMA Pro Racing. "We are grateful for the support of our loyal fans in the Northeast and eastern Canada and we are excited to be able to test and debut the new racing surface at CNYRP's impressive new facility." Glenn Donnelly, President of CNYRP, expressed his excitement of the newly established relationship with AMA Pro Racing and the innovative surface of the venue's flat track. "The AMA Pro Flat Track series has a long history in Central New York," Donnelly said. "Now, with the demolition of the Syracuse Mile track, we are glad that we could work on bringing AMA Pro to our brand new facility. We look to build on the tradition and make the event a success for years to come." A test at CNYRP on a to-be-announced date in July will provide riders and teams with their first chance to try out the new surface while building some pre-event excitement for the following month's race. "We are pleased with the results from SYNDI," Donnelly said. "With just about 50% application, we created a better track for competition. We will continue to develop the product and believe that when it is fully applied at CNYRP, we will have a dynamite surface for the AMA Pro Flat Track competitors and spectators." For more information about Central New York Raceway Park, please visit http://www.centralnyracewaypark.com/. 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Schedule: March 10: DAYTONA Flat Track I - Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fla. March11: 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, TBD: Official Series Test - Central New York Raceway Park, Central Square, N.Y. 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: Central New York Raceway Park - Central Square, N.Y. September 4: Springfield Mile II - Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Ill. September 25: Santa Rosa Mile - Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa, Calif. How to Watch:   FansChoice.tv is the official home for live streaming coverage of AMA Pro Flat Track events. The site also provides coverage of IMSA's development and single-make series, and NASCAR's touring and weekly series. Catch all the action at http://www.FansChoice.tv. About AMA Pro Flat Track:   AMA Pro 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 AMA Pro Flat Track, please visit www.amaproracing.com/ft/, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook or live stream the on-track action on FansChoice.tv.  About AMA Pro Racing: AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.

For additional information contact:   AMA Pro Racing Communications, (386) 492-1014, communications@amaproracing.com