Bryan Smith Takes First Mile Win of the Season at AMA Pro Flat Track Arizona Mile

The AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines series returned to the Phoenix, AZ. area yesterday for the first time in 30 years and Bryan Smith put his name in the record books again by winning the first mile event of the year aboard the #42 Crosley Brands/T&T Construction/Howerton Motorsports Kawasaki over defending AMA Grand National Champion Jared Mees. Mees moved up to second-place in the championship standings with his 2nd-place effort at the Turf Paradise facility on the #1 Rogers Racing XR750.

Smith ran away in the 25-lap National main to take the win over The Jammer by just over 12.6 seconds, after earlier in the afternoon winning the fastest heat of the day in an 8-lap romp by just under 11 seconds to runner-up Brandon Robinson on the #44 Kennedy Racing XR.

Sammy Halbert continues to lead the series standings after coming home in the 5th-place spot in the main on the #69 BriggsAuto.com XR, while Jake Johnson brought the #5 Zanotti Racing XR750 effort home in 8th-place, which left him in the 3rd-place spot in the championship hunt after the first four rounds.

Smith and Mees were joined on the podium by Cory Texter who took his #65 CT Racing Kawasaki to his first-ever career podium in a stellar effort put in by the Pennsylvania resident.

In the shot above, Smith talks with AMA Pro Flat Track and FansChoice.tv announcer Dani Medin after winning heat race #2 on the #42 Crosley Brands/Howerton Motorsports/Villa-Esparza-sponsored Kawasaki at the Indy Mile during round 7 of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines series on July 11 held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

Also of note from yesterday's round, three racers made their first National main as GNC1/Expert-ranked riders and will be able to lose their letter designations for next year. JR Addison came home in 9th-place on the #24F Smith Racing Kawasaki, Dan Bromley on the #54A Bill Werner Racing Kawasaki fought it hard for an 11th-place finish in his second year riding for the Grand National tuning king, and Ryan Foster took the #23Y Baker Racing Kawasaki to a 13th-place finish. And in the AMA Pro GNC2 class, Dalton Gauthier led nine of twelve laps on the #14A Ron Wood Racing BMW FS800 to take his first win in the series and give the BMW marque it's first-ever win in AMA Pro Flat Track racing.

Full results from yesterday's romp can be found here thanks to AMA Pro Flat Track, and FlatTrakFotos.com's Dave Hoenig will have a photo gallery posted here in the next day or so.

Fans won't have to wait long for the next race as the series heads back to the Sacramento Mile this coming Saturday, May 21 for round 5 of the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines season as Bryan Smith will try to make it two-straight in 2016 and six in-a-row at the Cal Expo-hosted Sacto event.

A full race report is below thanks to AMA Pro Flat Track.

Bryan Smith turns up the heat at the Law Tigers Arizona Mile

Sammy Halbert maintains GNC1 points lead over Jared Mees; Dalton Gauthier gives BMW a breakout victory in GNC2

PHOENIX, Ariz. (May 14, 2016) - Bryan Smith turned up the heat in the Valley of the Sun on Saturday by winning AMA Pro Flat Track's inaugural Law Tigers Arizona Mile in stunning fashion. The "Mile Specialist" lived up to his nickname, topping defending Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines champion No. 1 Jared Mees by 12.646 seconds in front of a standing room only crowd at Turf Paradise. With temperatures soaring above 100 degrees, Smith, mounted on his No. 42 Crosley/Howerton Motorsports Kawasaki Ninja 650, showed that heat wasn't a factor for him. The Michigan native set a blistering pace all day, winning his heat race by a remarkable 10.942 seconds to start from pole position in the main, and then leading every lap of the main in flawless succession. "It was pretty interesting, it might've looked easy but it was an absolute handful out there," Smith said. "As soon as you thought you had everything together you'd catch a rut, your front-end would tuck and you'd about crash. No matter how easy it looked it was work every lap. My hat's off to the entire team. This is the best bike I've ever had and we stepped our game up this year in every department." Like Smith, defending series champ Mees showed speed early to take the win in his heat race by 7.457 seconds. However, the Harley-Davidson-mounted rider was unable to keep Smith's pace in the night's main event. Bryan Smith took the next generation #42 Crosley/Howerton Motorsports Kawasaki to the win yesterday in the first mile event of the season at Turf Paradise in Phoenix, AZ. Photo courtesy of AMA Pro Flat Track by Dave Hoenig. "The biggest thing was that I was charging so hard so early in the beginning to get to him, that I was missing lines and missing my points," said Mees. "Finally it was just like I needed to settle in and maintain where I was and bring home second. We have Sacramento and Springfield coming up and I feel pretty confident that we will be able to give him a run." After bolting to the front at the start of the race, No. 65 Cory Texter settled into a rhythm behind Smith and Mees to earn the first GNC1 podium finish of his career. "I had no clue," said Texter. "I was just rolling around and picking off guys. I thought I got fourth or fifth so I was pretty excited when I came around and they were pointing at me; I had to look behind and make sure they were pointing at me. To say it is a dream come true is an understatement." No. 17 Henry Wiles finished fourth after a long battle with series points leader No. 69 Sammy Halbert, who finished an eventual fifth. Halbert heads to next weekend's Sacramento Mile with 73 points, followed by Mees with 68 points and third-place No. 5 Jake Johnson with 63 points. In the GNC2 class, BMW-mounted Dalton Gauthier surged from the second-to-last starting position to take home the first professional flat track victory for BMW in the 62-year history of the sport. The win propelled him to a 19-point lead in the GNC2 point standings. "I knew I needed a good start and I just wanted to finish in the top ten," said Gauthier. "I needed to get out of the draft and I did that. The bike was working awesome and that's what I wanted going into Sacramento." Kawasaki-mounted No. 99A Kyle McGrane maintained a consistent position throughout the 12-lap Main to take second place and No. 94B Ryan Wells finished third. Next weekend, the series heads to California for the Sacramento Mile at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds. For tickets and information, please visit http://www.sactomile.com. 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

Ramspur Winery Santa Rosa Mile to be Season-Ending Event for AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship on September 25

Another piece of the puzzle in the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship schedule came together late yesterday with the announcement that the people behind Ramspur Winery and SDI Insulation will be promoting the return of the Santa Rosa Mile in what will be the season-finale for the 2016 season on Sunday, September 25.

Located at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, CA., the event will see the stars of The Rolling Thunder Show return to the track last raced at during the 2012 & 2013 seasons, as well as adding another top notch west coast and California event to the series schedule. The event weekend will also include Amateur and Pro-Am short track racing on the two days prior to the National race season finale, to make it one big weekend of fun and racing.

In the shot above, riders line up for heat race #3 during the running of the Indy Mile in round 7 of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines series at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on July 11.

(L-R) Kayl Kolkman on the #98 JetTuning/Dream Scape Engraving/KSU-sponsored Kawasaki EX650, Doug Lawrence on the #73 Glidden Racing/Dreyer Motorsports/Tucker Rocky-backed Kawasaki, Jake Shoemaker on the #55 Bonneville Performance/Castrol/Triumph-sponsored Triumph Bonneville, Briar Bauman on the #14 USC/Hart Racing/Stevens Racing-backed Kawasaki, Johnny Lewis on the #10 Lloyd Brothers Motorsports/Ducati.net/Vintage Motorcycles-sponsored Ducati 1100 and Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. on the #2 Zanotti Racing/H-D Motor Co/Gator H-D-sponsored XR750 take their place on the front row prior to the drop of the go flag.

Also seen in this shot in the back, right is Jay Maloney on the #12 MRT/Avila/Speed & Strength-sponsored Kawasaki EX650.

This is great news for the riders, teams, sponsors and fans of The Rolling Thunder Show, the greatest racing series on two wheels in the world. With this race now over 3 1/2 months out it gives everyone on board plenty of time to book their plans and reservations in order to make things come together at a wonderful venue that has always been well received by everyone involved.

Thanks to AMA Pro Flat Track for this wonderful news that you can check out below in their full press release. And don't forget, this coming Thursday, March 10 and Friday, March 11 the season gets off to a roaring start with the Daytona Short Track doubleheader.

Ramspur Winery Santa Rosa Mile Announced as 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Season Finale September 25

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Mar. 4, 2016) - AMA Pro Racing is pleased to announce that the Ramspur Winery Santa Rosa Mile will serve as the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track season finale. The Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, Calif. will play host to the top dirt track motorcycle racing talent in the world on Sunday, September 25 where the next Grand National Champion will be crowned. The promotion team of Terry Otton, of Ramspur Winery and Steve DeLorenzi, of SDI Insulation, Inc., has secured the entire Sonoma County Fairgrounds for last weekend in September to present a trifecta of racing. On Friday, September 23 and Saturday, September 24, the Chris Beck Arena will feature evening Amateur and Pro-Am Short Track competition. On Sunday, AMA Pro Flat Track action will take over the grounds and the battle for the championship will begin. "We are thrilled and honored to bring back such a prestigious race," said Otton. "Steve and I are excited to be returning this picturesque mile, three-day event to the schedule with a fresh approach and high expectations. Our team is committed to top level event production, improving our fan experience and providing the best racing possible. It will contain more excitement for the fans, more opportunities for the riders and more exposure for the industry. We, in collaboration with AMA Pro Racing, intend to set the bar with this finale, in order to showcase and initiate the evolution and broadening of the sport for 2017." "To be able to stage our finale in Santa Rosa is absolutely ideal," said Michael Lock, CEO of AMA Pro Racing. "We are delighted to be able to bring the curtain down on the season at a classic Mile venue and in the heart of the bay area, where there are thousands of passionate flat track race fans." The mile race will bring a new level of excitement to fans and riders alike, as the promoters plan to deliver a variety of family-friendly entertainment over the course of the weekend. More information on the Ramspur Winery Santa Rosa Mile will be available in the coming weeks. Next Up: The 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track season will once again kick off with a doubleheader at the DAYTONA Flat Track during Daytona's Bike Week festivities. The twin short track races will take place at the "World Center of Racing" on Thursday and Friday, March 10 & 11. For additional information and to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Events/2016/DAYTONA-Flat-Track/DAYTONA-Flat-Track.aspx. 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

AMA Pro Flat Track Bonuses to Be Had in Newly-Announced Triumph Motorcycles Racing Partners Purchase Program

Triumph Motorcycles announced this week a new contingency program aimed at anyone that races the British marques in selected racing series for the 2016 season. AMA Pro Flat Track alone pays $5K for a win, $3K for 2nd-place and $2K for a 3rd-place finish in a main event. Some of the other series that Triumph will also be paying contingencies include road racing series MotoAmerica, CCS and WERA.

In the shot above, Jake Shoemaker's #55 Bonneville Performance/Castrol/Triumph-sponsored Triumph Bonnevilles sit in the team's pit area prior to the running of the legendary Indy Mile during round 7 of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines series at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on July 11.

With the Latus Motorsports team pulling out of the AMA Pro Flat Track series for the 2016 season and Brandon Robinson hooking up with the Kennedy Racing team for this season, this will leave the Bonneville Performance Triumph team again as the lone representative of the British bikes, unless someone else should come along with this new racing contingency program. The release didn't say anything about whether the BP team will be able to take advantage of this new payout system, but would be a nice bonus for them if it were especially with as many years as the Bill Gately-headed team has spent in putting these awesome machines on the track.

Check out the full release below to see all of the info involved with this just-released contingency program from Triumph Motorcycles.

Triumph Motorcycles reveals 2016 Racing Partners Purchase Program and performance bonus fund

Sent on behalf of Triumph Motorcycles ATLANTA (March 3, 2016) - Triumph Motorcycles America is pleased to announce the return of the Triumph Racing Partners Purchase Program, offering teams and riders the ability to purchase motorcycles and parts at a reduced price for participation in any national amateur or professionally sanctioned race series. The Triumph Racing Partners Purchase Program offers model year 2015 or prior Triumph Daytona 675s for $7,500 and Triumph Daytona 675Rs for $10,000. Triumph parts can also be purchased at a reduced cost of 50% off retail pricing. In addition to the Triumph Daytona 675s, other model year 2015 and prior Triumph motorcycles used for racing can be purchased for 25% off MSRP. All motorcycles must be purchased from Triumph warehouse stock while supplies last.   Additionally, Triumph is excited to offer a Performance Bonus Fund for the top performing Triumph racers. Racers accepted into the Triumph Racing Partners Purchase Program and competing in MotoAmerica, AMA Pro Flat Track, AMA, WERA, CCS, ASRA, AHRMA (excluding Thruxton Cup) and other national amateur race series will be eligible to receive the following contingency bonuses. Road Racing Bonuses   MotoAmerica Amateur National Series 1st $10,000 1st $125 2nd $3,000 2nd $75 3rd $1,500 3rd $50 Pole Position $1,000     Race Start $400       AMA Pro Flat Track Bonuses   1st $5,000 2nd $3,000 3rd $2,000 Main Top 5 Finish $500 Dash for Cash Qualifier $500 Dash for Cash Win $1,000 Fast Qualifier $500 Heat Race Win $500   Also, Triumph is announcing a "Race for Free" opportunity. All competitors eligible for the Triumph Racing Partners Purchase Program, and competing in any Amateur National Road Racing series, will receive reimbursement of their race entries with the purchase of a new model year 2015 or prior Triumph Daytona 675 and 675R used in competition during the 2016 season.   Triumph will also be extending its support to the growing Thruxton Cup series, with at least $25,000 in annual support anticipated. Complete details will be announced soon, but it will include a hospitality lounge at all event, a championship prize fund, legendary road racers participating at select events, amongst other features for Thruxton Cup competitors.   To be considered for Triumph's Racing Partner Purchase Program and Performance Bonus Fund, please apply through the below link. Triumph and identity requirements, as well as other stipulations to participate, are outlined on the online application form. Racing Partners Purchase Program Application About Triumph   Triumph Motorcycles is the British premium, lifestyle brand, which produces a wide range of distinctive, cool, and authentic Modern Classic, Adventure, Sport, Cruiser and Touring motorcycles. Also the oldest continually produced motorcycle brand, the first Triumph was manufactured in 1902. The company's global headquarters are located in Hinckley, Leicestershire, England, solely owned by Bloor Holdings Ltd. Triumph Motorcycles America Ltd., its North American subsidiary, is based in Atlanta, Ga., and is home to the motorcycle industry's first 24/7 Customer Support team.   To see the full range of Triumph motorcycles, visit www.TriumphMotorcycles.com.   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TriumphNorthAmerica   Twitter: https://twitter.com/triumphamerica   Instagram: https://instagram.com/triumphamerica   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TriumphNorthAmerica

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

Weirbach Racing Teams Up with Briar Bauman for 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship GNC1 Season

Great news out of the Hawkeye State of Iowa comes the announcement that Weirbach Racing, the winner's of the 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Pro Singles Championship, have partnered up with 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track Saddlemen Rookie of the Year Briar Bauman for the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship GNC1 season.

Bauman, who burst onto the scene in the GNC1/Expert ranks during the 2012 season with a 12th-place finish on the season and earning Rookie of the Year honors, had an excellent season last year while riding for the USC/Hart Racing Kawasaki team finishing in the 5th-place spot with five top-5 finishes, including a win at the season-finale in Las Vegas, and ten top-10 finishes on the year.

The Weirbach Racing team worked with rider Mikey Martin in the GNC1 Twins Series last year earning a best-ever finish for both of 4th-place at the Indy Mile in just their second year overall of campaigning their new, potent line up of Kawasaki parallel twins along with two other top-10s on the season.

In the shot above, the Weirbach Racing team takes a short break before action hits the track during round 7 of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship GNC1 Harley-Davidson presented by Vance & Hines Series at the Indy Mile on July 11.

Team owners Richard (forefront, right) and son Ted (background, right) and rider Mikey Martin (blue shirt and hat, background left of center) can be seen in their pit alongside the team's #91 Weirbach Racing/Racing Unlimited/Spectro-sponsored Kawasakis.

The coming year should prove very fruitful for both the Weirbach team and new signee Bauman, giving Bauman his third-straight full season aboard a Team Green Kawasaki (Werner-Springsteen Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing 2014, USC/Hart Racing 2015) and the Weirbach team's third-straight season as well campaigning their potent Kawasaki mounts in the GNC1 Twins Series.

In the shot above, Bauman can be seen alongside his #14 USC/Hart Racing/Stevens Racing-backed Kawasaki in the team's pit area at the Lima Half-Mile during round 5 of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship GNC1 Harley-Davidson presented by Vance & Hines series on June 28. Team owner James Hart is shown to Bauman's left in the red hat looking over the team's equipment prior to the first round of qualifying at the Allen County Fairgrounds.

With the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship GNC1 season just 33 days away with the opening rounds at the Daytona Short Track, and what is considered the unofficial kick off to the season at the Oglethorpe Speedway in Pooler, GA. on March 4, the Weirbach Racing team and rider Bauman don't have much time left to get the final items put together for the season ahead. But from the looks of their new mount in the press release shot, it looks as if they have a pretty good start already!

You can check out the team's official press release below, and from one Iowan to another couple of great guys out of the Hawkeye State, we wish the boys from Ottumwa and Californian Bauman the best of luck in the upcoming season!


Press release courtesy of Weirbach Racing, the Ottumwa, Iowa-based winner's of the
2011 AMA Pro Flat Track Pro Singles Championship

Briar Bauman to campaign 2016 with Weirbach Racing

February 2 2016, Ottumwa, Iowa­ -- Weirbach Racing is pleased to announce
the sponsorship support of Briar Bauman for 2016, in AMA Pro Flat Track's
premier GNC 1 division.

21-year-old Bauman has accomplished much in his young career with series
wins at Daytona short track in 2014 and most recently at the 2015 season
finale in Las Vegas. The Vegas win secured Briar 5th position in the
overall series point standings for 2015. Briar also secured a respectable
6th-place finish at the inaugural Harley-Davidson XGames flat track event
last year in Austin,Texas.

Weirbach Racing's Racing Unlimited/Spectro/Barnett-sponsored
Kawasaki EX650-based GNC1 Twins bike
is shown adorned with the team's new
livery and National #14 of new rider Briar
Bauman for the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track
Grand National Championship GNC1 season. Photo courtesy of Richard Weirbach's Facebook page.





Briar's take on the upcoming season,  "I am really excited to join Weirbach
Racing for the 2016 season. I believe we are capable of great things. Goals
for 2016 are to win a Twins National and finish in the top-3 for the series."

Briar is no stranger to the podium on a 750, with 3rd-place finishes last
year at Lima and Sturgis and in 2013 at Pomona and has set his sights on
reaching the top step aboard a twin cylinder bike.

Weirbach Racing's established stable of Kawasaki twins have been developed
and refined over the last 3 seasons with proven results. Partnering with
Racing Unlimited's Alan Rodenborn has been key to the performance and
dependability of the team's Kawasaki power plants.

Ted Weirbach commented, "We are proud and excited to sponsor
Briar. He is a great young talent with solid character and a desire to win. He
has proven that he has what it takes to run up front on all types of tracks.
I can't wait to see what we can accomplish together."

The team is busy building and preparing and testing motorcycles over the
winter months, aimed at a successful 2016 season. Dick Weirbach stated,
"We believe that things are coming together at the right time and it is special
 to have a rider of Briar's caliber controlling the throttle. I am looking forward
 to a great year."

About Weirbach Racing:

Weirbach Racing is run, owned and operated by Ted Weirbach and his father
Dick Weirbach.  Dick is a veteran of the flat track scene for better than 35
years.  He ran as a novice in the late 60's and owned a Bultaco motorcycle
shop for eight years.

Weirbach Racing was founded in 2000. In 2009, the inaugural year of the
AMA Pro Singles Championship, Weirbach Racing's James "the Rocket"
Rispoli took 2nd-place overall and in 2011 Mikey Martin won the Pro
Singles Championship. Other notables to ride for Dick & Ted are Henry
Wiles, Sammy Halbert, Aaron King, Jesse Janisch, Davey Durelle and
Rob Pearson. 

Check their web site for more information: http://www.weirbachracing.com

About Racing Unlimited Kawasaki/Victory/Polaris:

The multi-line dealership is soon to celebrate it's 25th year in business.
The store is one of the Midwest's largest 'Kawasaki Team Green' dealers,
and is also a Race Tech Suspension Center.

For more information see: http://www.racingunlimited.com

AMA Pro Flat Track Releases Mostly-Complete 2016 AMA Grand National Championship Season Schedule

AMA Pro Flat Track released their 2016 schedule late last night, and other then a couple of minor changes and TBAs to it the racing season ahead is mostly what had been talked about and shown forth from late last fall.

As had been put forth and discussed, both Daytona Short Track rounds, the Springfield Mile races, the Peoria TT, Charlotte Half-Mile, the Sacto Mile, Lima Half-Mile and Sturgis Half-Mile all return to this year's upcoming season schedule.

Listed as TBA include what were previously 'tentative' rounds to wrap up the season in California (Calistoga Half-Mile) and the season ending round in Las Vegas (now listed as TBA in Northern California).

Although this is the latest we have seen the schedule being released (in what seems like ever), new AMA Pro Racing CEO Michael Lock discussed this with Barry Boone on his 'Talking Motorcycles' radio show a couple of weeks ago and made a big point of saying that going forward they want to have the schedule in place by mid-late summer, which would be a much better scenario for especially all of the teams wanting to go after sponsors for their respective budgets for the next season. That in itself would be a major move forward for the sanctioning body that is famous for releasing their schedule very late in the year (in the past five-six seasons previous schedules had been released from late November to early-mid December).

In the shot above, riders roar off the line in heat race #1 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds during the legendary Indy Mile, round 7 of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines season on July 11.

(L-R) Brad Baker on the #6 Harley-Davidson Motor Co/Screaming Eagle Performance Products/Arai Helmets-sponsored factory H-D XR750, Jared Mees on the #1 Las Vegas H-D/Rogers Racing/Harley-Davidson Motor Co-backed XR750, Henry Wiles on the #17 Zanotti Racing/Motion Pro/Bell Helmets-sponsored XR750, Brandon Robinson on the #44 Latus Motorsports/Castrol/Triumph America-sponsored Triumph Bonneville and Mikey Martin on the #91 Weirbach Racing/Racing Unlimited/Barnett-sponsored Kawasaki EX650 get the jump after the green light to lead the charge towards Indy's turn one.

With the release of the schedule, fans can now start 'officially' making their plans to attend the races of their choice for the season ahead, with the Daytona Short Track season opening doubleheader just 47 days away.

You can check out the full schedule below in the press release thanks to AMA Pro Flat Track.

AMA Pro Racing announces 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track schedule

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 22, 2016) - AMA Pro Racing is proud to announce an all-star lineup of events for AMA Pro Flat Track's 2016 schedule. The 15-round calendar combines events steeped in the rich history of the Grand National Championship with some new cities and new circuits. At the start of 2016, defending Grand National Champion Jared Mees finds himself in a familiar place as he leads the charge in AMA Pro Flat Track's premier division, Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines. He'll be joined by some fresh competition this year, as defending GNC2 champ Davis Fisher has ascended the ranks to challenge the veterans. The 2016 season will begin during the Bike Week festivities in Daytona Beach with a quarter-mile kickoff at the DAYTONA Flat Track on March 10 and 11, and will wrap up in early October with a yet-to-be-announced two-race swing through California. On April 9, AMA Pro Flat Track heads to Austin, Texas to make its debut at the world-class Circuit of the Americas, racing alongside the stars of MotoGP and MotoAmerica as part of the Grand Prix of the Americas weekend. Next up is the first of the new events on the calendar, the Arizona Mile at Turf Paradise in Phoenix, Ariz. on May 14. Mile racing fans will be happy to know that the historic Sacramento Mile will take place on May 21 and the legendary Springfield Mile returns to the calendar on the familiar dates of Memorial Day (May 29) and Labor Day (September 4). Remington Park will play host to the Oklahoma City Mile on June 18, marking the first mile for the Sooner State. Wrapping up the summer, the series will visit a trio of Half-Mile circuits, Lima Half-Mile (June 25), Charlotte Half-Mile (July 30) and Sturgis Half-Mile (August 9), before Henry Wiles gets his shot at making it 12 consecutive wins at the Peoria TT on August 14. The final new event on the schedule will be held in New York State on August 20. Details about the remaining dates and any additional events will be released as soon as they are available. 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Schedule: 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 Next Up: The 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track season will once again kick off with a doubleheader at the DAYTONA Flat Track during Daytona's Bike Week festivities. The twin short track races will take place at the "World Center of Racing" on Thursday and Friday, March 10 & 11.   For additional information and to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Events/2016/DAYTONA-Flat-Track/DAYTONA-Flat-Track.aspx. 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 http://www.amaproracing.com/ft/, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook or live stream the on-track action on FansChoice.tv. 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