Selected Riders from AMA Pro Flat Track Set to Return to ESPN's Summer XGames in Austin, TX June 2-5

In just over two months time, selected riders from AMA Pro Flat Track will again hold stage alongside the stars of extreme sports when they visit the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX for their second outing in the ESPN XGames competition.

This will be the second year alongside the popular competition where the stars of The Rolling Thunder Show put on a great show last year in their inaugural showing that saw Jared Mees lead the majority of the main event only to suffer a mechanical breakdown with less then a half lap to go and Bryan Smith go on to earn the first-ever gold medal in the XGames flat track competition in front of a packed house and with just over 500K people watching live in prime time on ESPN's cable network.

This year the track will have more development before the competition starts up as former 7-Time AMA Grand National Champion Chris Carr has done a total redesign of the facility that will see it's initial testing come next weekend on Saturday, April 9 with the Harley-Davidson Lone Star Half-Mile in round 3 of the season.

In the shot above, the riders in heat #1 roar towards turn one during racing action at the Springfield Mile II at round 12 of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines series on September 6.

(L-R) Stevie Bonsey on the #80 Cliff Racing/Dodge Brothers/Classic Harley-Davidson-sponsored XR750, Jarod Vanderkooi on the #17F Don's Kawasaki/DPC Racing/Floyd Tapp-backed Kawasaki EX650, Doug Lawrence on the #73 Glidden Racing/Dreyer Motorsports/Tucker Rocky-sponsored Kawasaki 740, Jake Johnson on the #5 Harley-Davidson Motor Co/Screamin' Eagle Performance Parts/Arai Helmets-backed factory H-D XR750 and Nichole Mees on the #15 H-D of Wausau/Willie McCoy/Black Hills Harley-Davidson-sponsored XR750 battle to see who will take the point before throwing it into turn one at the Illinois State Fairgrounds mile oval.

Check out the preview below from AMA Pro Flat Track and be ready to see the stars of the Grand National Championship head back to Austin next week for the season's third event of the year and it's first Twins Series race of the season and then be ready for their return to the ESPN XGames competition in early June in front of a live television audience and what will surely be another packed house at the COTA facility.

Harley-Davidson Flat-Track Racing Returns to Summer X Games Austin for Second Year

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Mar. 25, 2016) - AMA Pro Flat Track stars return to the stage for another year at ESPN's Summer X Games in Austin, Texas for the Harley-Davidson Flat-Track Racing event at Circuit of The Americas on June 2 - 5. The X Games will be broadcast live on both ESPN and ABC. "The X Games is an outstanding festival for the world's leading young extreme athletes and we are proud to once again have the AMA Pro Flat Trackers showcase our uniquely American sport," said Michael Lock, CEO of AMA Pro Racing. "The action will be fast and furious and the redesigned track will deliver thrilling racing from start to finish." During last year's Summer X Games, Kawasaki rider No. 42 Bryan Smith secured the inaugural flat track gold medal over top rival and reigning Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines champion No. 1 Jared Mees. "It was great to win the gold last year," Smith said. "It was pretty special. I was the first one and pretty lucky to win it. To be back there again will be cool and I'll hopefully defend my gold medal and be the only guy with two flat track golds. "I'm excited to be able to showcase what we have in flat track and how special it is and I hear the track will be better this year," Smith continued. "In order to prepare, my team and I treat it just like any other AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National, which is what our whole careers and lives are based around." After leading the majority of the 20-lap race, Mees suffered a mechanical issue on the final lap which forced him to leave the track and miss the win, allowing Smith to take home the victory. Mees has something to prove when he returns to the X Games in June, and is guaranteed to be a frontrunner in Austin. "X Games for me was a little bitter," Mees said. "Leading from start to almost finish and coming up a half of a lap short with a pretty comfortable lead was a bitter part of the season for me. It would've been cool to collect the very first ever gold medal, but unfortunately the gold medal is sitting on somebody else's shelf. I'm looking forward to going back because I'm motivated to go to every race and win. All in all I'm excited to be returning." Sammy Halbert, rider of the No. 7 Harley-Davidson, finished second at the X Games while Factory Harley-Davidson rider No. 6 Brad Baker closed out the podium with his third-place result. "Summer X Games was such an amazing experience," Baker said. "It felt so awesome to be able to compete for an X Games medal just like the famous athletes I have grown up watching on TV. I'm really looking forward to this year's event. I came up two places short of gold last year, so I'm really going to be pushing for gold this time. X Games is just an awesome experience whether you are an athlete or a spectator, so I'm pumped for many reasons." The purpose-built dirt track has been redesigned by seven-time Grand National Champion Chris Carr with the goal of providing additional racing lines. "The purpose of the redesign was to create more drama on the race track," Carr said. "The new track should provide more passing opportunities and will set the stage for a great show." Two months prior to the Summer X Games, a full field of the world's best dirt track motorcycle racers will take on the newly re-engineered track at Circuit of the Americas on Saturday, April 9 during the Harley-Davidson Lone Star Half-Mile. Tickets for the April 9 event are now available and can be purchased at www.texasflattrack.com/tickets/. For group sales, contact the Circuit of The Americas Box Office at 1-512-301-6600. For more information about the 2016 Summer X Games, please visit ESPN's website at http://xgames.espn.go.com/xgames/. 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

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

AMA Pro Flat Track Adds Oklahoma City Mile Round to Still-Tentative 2016 Schedule

As we start to get into the new year, AMA Pro Flat Track announced last week that they have added the Oklahoma City Mile to the still-tentative schedule for the 2016 season, slated to run on Saturday, June 18, marking the return to the OK State for the first time since the 1999 season.

The powers that be out of Daytona Beach continue to make changes to their hierarchy and their forward-looking model in terms of The Rolling Thunder Show. New CEO Michael Lock just last week was on former AMA Pro Flat Track announcer Barry Boone's radio show last week and spoke about a lot of the current changes and the current outlook on the series as it tries to position itself for moving forward. You can hear that show here and get an idea of what the series head man has in mind for the greatest racing show on two wheels in the world.

Probably the biggest missing item though as the series awaits its first events of the season just at two months away (Daytona Short Track doubleheader on March 10-11) is the release of a full season and set schedule. 

We do know the main part of the schedule and the returning players for the upcoming season. Besides the doubleheader round at Daytona in March, we do know that both Springfield Mile races will return (May 29, September 4), Lima will be running the final Saturday in June as it has for the last three and-a-half decades (June 25), the Peoria TT (August 14), the Sacto Mile (May 21), the Black Hills Half-Mile (August 9) and the return of the Charlotte Half-Mile (August 27). 

The tentative schedule that was originally announced at the end of November during the AMA Pro Flat Track season-finale banquet can be found here:

So with adding in the date for the XGames round, a new round in mid-May in Scottsdale, AZ., the recently announced COTA round in early-April, and the currently TBA rounds in Calistoga and Las Vegas, we at least have a very good idea of what to expect for the season ahead. And as last heard and being discussed, the sanctioning body in Daytona was still working on adding another round in central Indiana (and no, still not Indy nor Terre Haute). 

In the shot above, riders get ready for the lights to go green for the start of the Lima Half-Mile on Sunday, June 28, 2015.

(L-R) Brad Baker on the #6 Harley-Davidson Motor Co/Screaming Eagle Performance Parts/Arai Helmets-sponsored factory XR750, Brandon Robinson on the #44 Latus Motorsports/Castrol/Triumph America-backed Triumph Bonneville, Henry Wiles on the #17 Zanotti Racing/Motion Pro/Bell Helmets-sponsored XR750, Sammy Halbert on the #7 Briggs Auto/Scott Powersports/Martin Trucking-sponsored XR750, Jared Mees on the #1 Las Vegas H-D/Rogers Racing/Harley-Davidson Motor Co-backed XR750 and Bryan Smith on the #42 Crosley Brands/Howerton Motorsports/Villa-Esparza-backed Kawasaki EX650 make up the first row of 18 men to make the National main at the Allen County Fairgrounds.

Also seen in this shot from the second row include Jake Shoemaker on the #55 Bonneville Performance/Triumph/Castrol-sponsored Triumph Bonneville, Wyatt Maguire on the #16 Kirkland Racing/Racing Unlimited/Steve Pruczinski-sponsored XR750, Steve Bonsey on the #80 Dodge Brothers/Classic Harley-Davidson/Alpinestars-backed XR750, Dustin Crow on the #61 Greg Crow Racing/Gary O/Glen's Autobody-backed XR750, Chad Cose on the #49 Myers Motorsports/ERT/Rod Lake-sponsored Kawasaki, and Briar Bauman on the #14 USC/Hart Racing/Stevens Racing-sponsored Kawasaki.

Shawn Baer on the #32 SBR/Straight Arrow Trucking/Shawn Baer Racing-sponsored KTM LC8 950 and Kyle Johnson on the #77 Parkinson Brothers Racing/Hot Rod Harley-Davidson/Pro 1 Industries-backed Kawasaki make up the final row of riders visible just prior to the start of the 25-lap main event.

So in essence, we do have a schedule in place, and what appears to be almost complete for the upcoming season, which will help most everyone to be able to make their plans for this year's slate of racing, other then a couple of TBAs on dates towards the end of the season and the aforementioned possible central Indiana round. Once the 'official' schedule is brought forth we will have it here for everyone to compare notes on.

In the meantime, check out the press release below thanks to AMA Pro Flat Track concerning the OK City race in June and start marking your calendars!

Oklahoma City Mile Added to 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track Schedule

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 7, 2016) - AMA Pro Racing and event promoter BrassMonkey Promotions LLC have partnered to put Oklahoma City back on the map of professional dirt track racing. The Oklahoma City Mile has been added to the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track schedule on Saturday, June 18 at the newly renovated Remington Park.   "There's a lot of excitement because there hasn't been anything like this here in over 15 years," said Shawn Brassfield, promoter of the Oklahoma City Mile. "Since the speedway at the fairgrounds was torn down, fans have been missing the sport and are excited about the return of racing."   AMA Pro Flat Track last visited Oklahoma City in 1999, when 7-time Grand National Champion Chris Carr took home a Half-Mile victory. The 2016 event will mark the first Mile event held in the Sooner State, but the racing action is only part of the story. The off-track entertainment will inundate fans with an abundance of family-friendly activities for the Father's Day weekend.   "Our aim is to create an event that's not just for the hardcore race fan, but a great family-friendly outing for Father's Day as well," said Brassfield.   BrassMonkey's vision for the Oklahoma City Mile is to make it an entertainment experience. They plan to give the 50-million-dollar venue an atmosphere that resembles a carnival by transforming the infield into a "fun zone," with face painting for children and over-the-top entertainment for adults.   For more information, please visit the Oklahoma City Mile website at http://okcmile.com/. To purchase tickets for the event, please visit http://www.stubwire.com/events/okcmile/2016/.   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 thepremier 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 to Add COTA Half-Mile Race Alongside MotoGP Weekend on Saturday, April 9, 2016

AMA Pro Racing announced late yesterday that the Circuit of the Americas facility, located in Austin, TX., will play host to a new points-paying race early next year that will run alongside the COTA MotoGP Weekend and the MotoAmerica Road Racing series that is scheduled over the April 8-10, 2016 weekend.

COTA established itself as a very worthy host for the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship during the 2015 season while playing host to the first-ever ESPN XGames competition featuring the stars of The Rolling Thunder Show in early June. Dan Johnsen, former AMA Pro Flat Track manager and his team did a wonderful job of prepping the facility with a limited time schedule after the area had been inundated with torrential rain storms just days before the event was set to roll off.

Less then one week before the event was held, the facility had been under over 6-8" of water yet DJ and his team were able to groom a track that, albeit extremely rough, was able to host the inaugural race in the ESPN Flat Track XGames. The race eventually was viewed by nearly 500K fans on live tv on ESPN in a special 3-hour hosting in prime time on the largest sports cable television network for it's initial airing.

In the shot above, riders roar off the line during heat race #2 at round 7 of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines series at the Indy Mile on July 11.

(L-R) Bryan Smith on the #42 Crosley Brands/Howerton Motorsports/Villa-Esparza Kawasaki -sponsored EX650, Steve Bonsey on the #80 Cliff Racing/Dodge Brothers/Classic Harley-Davidson-backed XR750, Shaun Baer on the #32 SBR/Straight Arrow Trucking/Baer Racing-sponsored KTM LC8 950, Sammy Halbert on the #7 Briggs Auto/Scott Powersports/Martin Trucking-backed Kawasaki 740, and Nichole Mees on the #15 Black Hill's Harley-Davidson/Jerry Kennedy/Mr. Sign Yonkers NY-sponsored XR750 make up the riders towards the front getting an advantage heading off the line.

Also seen in this shot are Mick Kirkness on the #87 Waters Autobody.KTM/GE Capital-sponsored KTM LC8 (partially hidden behind Baer #32), Chad Cose on the #49 Myers Motorsports/ERT/Rod Lake-backed Kawasaki 740 (partially hidden behind Halbert #7), Colt Chebultz on the #67 Estenson Logistics/H-D of Salina, KS/T&R Racing-sponsored XR750, Jake Mataya on the #29 McGrane Racing/Scott Powersports/GO-Moto-backed Kawasaki 740 (partially hidden behind Mees #15), and Duke Erickson on the #21 21st Street Body Shop/Fredericktown Yamaha/Black Hill's H-D-sponsored XR750.

Although the full 2016 schedule for the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship has yet to be released by the powers that be in Daytona Beach, the addition of this round in Austin, TX. will be a very welcome site to all of those involved, and that schedule should be forthcoming sometime in the next week or so. We do already know that Daytona will kick off the season next year in March, that both Springfields are set to return, as are Lima and Peoria, and Charlotte. We also know that Indy and DuQuoin are gone and it sounds like Hagerstown has been dropped as well. There has also been some buzz that there is another event awaiting finalization somewhere in central Indiana, but nothing solid has been confirmed as of yet as to where or when (and NO, it's not Terre Haute thankfully!)

The Austin/COTA round will also be promoted by Team SMI, the same group of great people behind the Sacto Mile, Charlotte Half-Mile and the season-ending Las Vegas Short Track and Superprestigio of the Americas, so you know it will be a first-class effort all around.

Check out the full press release below thanks to AMA Pro Racing and make your plans now to head to COTA in Austin, TX. over the April 8-10 weekend to see the greatest racing on two wheels in the world alongside the stars of MotoGP and MotoAmerica.

Circuit of the Americas to play host to AMA Pro Flat Track in 2016

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.  (Dec. 11, 2015) - AMA Pro Racing and Team SMI announced today that Circuit of the Americas will play host to AMA Pro Flat Track in 2016. The world's premier dirt track motorcycle racing series will make its inaugural visit to the purpose-built Grand Prix facility on April 9, 2016, running in conjunction with the Grand Prix of the Americas.   "I'm delighted that we are able to bring AMA Pro Flat Track racing to COTA, to complete the ultimate festive weekend of motorcycle sport," said Michael Lock, CEO of AMA Pro Racing. "Today's MotoGP stars are fascinated with our unique brand of racing and the growing Superprestigio events in Las Vegas and Barcelona are testament to the wide appeal and recent interest in Pro Flat Track racing."   Circuit of the Americas is no stranger to dirt track racing. The sport debuted at the Summer X Games in 2015, and many of AMA Pro Flat Track's top riders were there to put on a show for the ages. After a grueling battle, Kawasaki-mounted Bryan Smith took a dramatic victory.   "We're excited to be part of what will be the greatest ever two-wheel racing competition," said Bobby Epstein, Chairman of the Circuit of the Americas. "With MotoGP, MotoAmerica and AMA Pro Flat Track running on the same weekend - at the same venue - it will be unbeatable entertainment."   Additional details about the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track round at Circuit of the Americas will be released by event promoter Team SMI in the coming months. 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

NBC Sports Set to Broadcast Season Ending Superprestigio of the Americas Race from Vegas on Tape Delay, Sunday, November 29

Great news came down the pipeline last week when it was announced that NBC Sports Network will be broadcasting the season ending Superprestigio of the Americas race in Las Vegas on a tape-delayed basis on Sunday, November 29. The event that pits American AMA Pro Flat Track riders against a diverse field of National and International motorcycle racing stars will be held inside the tight confines of the Orleans Arena this coming Saturday, November 21 in Las Vegas.

You can check here to see where to find NBC Sports Network on your local cable or satellite provider.

In the shot above, riders in the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines series get ready to do battle in round 9 of the season at the Peoria TT on August 16.

(L-R) Shayna Texter stands outside of Briar Bauman and tuner/team owner James Hart of the #14 Rod Lake Racing/Drew-Massa Transportation/Arai-sponsored Honda CRF450R, team owner Babe DeMay stands behind rider Dominic Collindres on the #66Y Babe DeMay Racing/Memphis Shades/Yamaha-backed YZ450F, Thomas Englehart holds the bike he helped prepare for rider Chad Cose on the #49 ERT/Rod Lake/Nazzissi Racing-sponsored Honda, AMA Pro Flat Track's Dani Medin interviews Peoria TT record holder Henry Wiles (partially hidden by cameraman) on the #17 Zanotti Racing/Motion Pro/Bell Helmets-backed Honda, while Rogers Racing's tuners Sammy Sweet and multiple championship-winning tuner Kenny Tolbert ready the #1 Montgomeryville Cycle Center/Rogers Racing/SDI-sponsored Honda for their rider and defending AMA Grand National Champion Jared Mees while he makes some final adjustments before the start of the National main event in Thunder Valley.

Also seen on the second row, outside left is Stevie Bonsey on the #80 Cernics Suzuki/Yoshimura/Cliff Racing-backed Suzuki RMZ450.

The Superprestigio of the Americas race this coming Saturday, November 21 promises to be a great event that will no doubt cap off the wonderful season of racing we have seen this year. You can check out the full press release below thanks to SMI and be ready to take in all the action online this Saturday and watching the tape-delayed event in two weeks time. It's guaranteed to be a barn burner full of fun bar banging and tire smoking swapping of places throughout the evening.


Press release courtesy of SMI Promotions, the promoters of the AMA Pro Flat Track Season Finale and the Superprestigio of the Americas

NBC SPORTS NETWORK TO BROADCAST SUPERPRESTIGIO OF THE AMERICAS SUNDAY, NOV. 29 AT 9 P.M. ET

LAS VEGAS (Nov. 10, 2015) – NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) will televise the 2015 Superprestigio of the Americas presented by Yamaha motorcycle race on Sunday, November 29, at 9 p.m. ET /6 p.m. PT.

The Superprestigio of the Americas, held at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, will bring together motorcycle racers from different disciplines to race together on the same track that will host the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Final the night before in this exciting season-ending doubleheader. Top flat track riders such as defending AMA Pro Grand National Champion Jared Mees and former champs Jake Johnson, Kenny Coolbeth, Jr., Brad Baker and X Games Gold Medalist Bryan Smith will race against road racing champs such as former MotoAmerica/AMA Superbike Champion Josh Hayes and former AMA Supersport Champion Roger Hayden, current MotoAmerica champs Joe Roberts and Jake Gagne as well as more riders to be announced.

“We’re thrilled to be able to showcase the Superprestigio of the Americas to a national audience on NBCSN ,” said SMI President Steve McLaughlin. “It’s a great opportunity to expose a national audience to the excitement of flat track racing. It also provides our riders, their sponsors and the supporters of our event an immense reach to an audience of more than 85 million households on NBCSN.”

The Friday and Saturday night races at the Orleans Arena will be the centerpiece of a full weekend of exiting activities in Las Vegas, including the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Awards Banquet scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 22 at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

NBCSN’s telecast of the Superprestigio of the Americas is being made possible by sponsorship from Yamaha Motor Corp.,USA, Thom Duma Fine Jewelers, Geico, Saddlemen, Ascot Motorsports, Evans Oil Coolers, Las Vegas Harley-Davidson and Mitas Tires.

NBC Sports Group is the television “home of motorsports” in the U.S., with comprehensive coverage of the NASCAR Sprint Cup and XFINITY Series, the Verizon IndyCar Series and Formula One. NBC Sports Group’s motorsports portfolio also includes the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, Red Bull Global RallyCross and the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series (GNCC), presented by Maxxis.

The Superprestigio of the Americas (SOTA’15) will bring together leading motorcycle racers from various motorcycle-racing disciplines from around the world to compete head to head with the stars of AMA Pro Flat Track on a specially-designed indoor short track at the Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Nov. 21, 2015. The special race is part of the big Las Vegas doubleheader weekend with the AMA Pro Flat Track finale taking place the night before (Nov. 20, 2015) on the same track. #VegasFT

For additional information go to www.superprestigio.com or call toll free 1-844-722-6453.

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Larry Lawrence
c. (317) 332-3899
SMI Media Rep
Sacramento Mile - May 30
Charlotte Half Mile - Aug 29
Las Vegas Finals - Nov 20
lawrencemedia@hotmail.com