AFTN HITS GRIFFITH FOR ROUND 5

The intensity will ramp up a notch this Saturday, October 11 as the Yamaha BLU CRU Aussie Flat Track Nationals visits Griffith for the first time for a blockbuster day and night event. This special round will see competition on the TT course at The Pines Speedway, where local Tom Armstrong will seek to defend his championship points lead.

Armstrong has been a revelation this season in the Pro 450 class, taking control of the series after a long hiatus from the sport. He currently leads regular stars Tom Herrick, Daniel Wicks and rookie Cooper Archibald. Thrown into the mix will be the return of two-time champion Michael Kirkness.

Kirkness, a multiple Australian champion with international flat track experience, is known for his fast starts and aggressive, exciting style. In the evening the action will switch to the flat track, a semi-oil surface that will test the skills of riders under lights.

That night will also feature the crowning of the inaugural AFTN Pro Women champion. The title will conclude the class, who are set to battle it out over five gruelling races to decide its winner. The main contenders are all Queenslanders with Latiya Allen holding the top spot after the opening Maryborough rounds, fending off Brittaney O’Brien by a mere nine points.

Both have different strengths, with Allen incredibly quick on the granite flat track at Maryborough but had never raced on a TT style circuit, whereas O’Brien was able to dominate over the jumps and turns. With five races available for points at the Griffith decider, consistency will be key – something Matilda Heaton-New has displayed in her run to third place with a string of podiums. Emma Scott and Katarna Robinson are also capable of mounting a challenge, and the weekend is set to provide an interesting trial with its semi-oil surface that’s sure to test out riders.

Clubman Open, Junior Lites and Junior 85s will be on hand to do battle as well as the thumping Pro Twin class, returning for Griffith on the flat track only. 

Pro Women points leader, Latiya Allen: 
“I’m very nervous for Griffith but also excited. This will be my first time racing at The Pines so it will be a whole new world. I’m feeling confident but Brittaney was really strong on the second day at Maryborough, so it’s going to be a good battle. My strength lays more on the flat track layout, but it’s all a massive learning curve for me because I’ve never raced on 19s before.

AFTN is an intense program, there is plenty of time on track and you need a lot of stamina to hold on to the bike for that amount of time. It’s an exciting time to be racing, I started when I was 14 but the AFTN rounds at Maryborough were my first race meetings back in seven years! While a lot of us girls don’t mind battling with the men, many are too nervous so to have a dedicated Pro Women class is incredible. It’s so positive to get out there and ride with other women who just want to get out there and give it a go – they might not be aiming for a title but they just want to race. The Pro Women class will only grow the sport, it’s a great starting point to build confidence and ability.”

Series Organiser, Dave Maddock: 
“Visiting Griffith for the first time is another massive milestone for the Yamaha Blu Cru Aussie Flat Track Nationals series, another new track for 2025 and a brand new format! Not only will we see our first ever Pro Women champion crowned, the schedule of racing will be an added test to the riders that they haven’t experienced before, having to race both the TT and flat track layouts on the one day. It will be physically and mentally demanding, and I’m really keen to see if Tom Armstrong can continue his run of form.

The addition of two-time champion Mick Kirkness will be very interesting for the series, plus we have the added spectacle of racing under lights. The club have prepared a fantastic surface for racing and as always we thank them for their efforts, every club that has taken on the task of hosting an AFTN round has risen to the occasion, it really makes the decision to take national level racing to the regions very rewarding and we can’t wait to see how things unfold at Griffith on Saturday night.”