Preview: Aussie Flat Track Nats

The Aussie Flat Track Nationals (AFTN) is set to launch this coming weekend, October 29 and 30, as Australia’s best flat track racers battle it out for cash and prizes over both TT and Flat Track layouts at Appin, southwest of Sydney. The two-round, two-day inaugural AFTN has been designed to give riders and spectators alike an opportunity to understand what the series is about before heading into a larger scale, multi-state series in 2023.

Each AFTN race day will consist of practice, qualifying and five races per class, varying in length from six to 15 laps. The format has been carefully considered to offer competitors not only great track time, but also a point-score-style tally, where the points earned in each race count for not only the round results but also the overall championship, giving riders the opportunity to chase their championship down if they have a bad race.

CLASSES OF COMPETITION

• Pro 450: 450cc 4-stroke | MX Frame | 19-inch flat track tyre | 16+
• Pro Street: 499cc 4-stroke & above | Street Frame – multi cylinder* Any wheel combination (in line with dirt track rules) | 16+
• Pro Twins: 499cc 4-stroke & above | Street Frame – Twin cylinder* | 19-inch flat track tyre | 16+
• Pro Open: 451cc – 691cc 2 or 4-stroke | MX Frame | Any wheel combination (in line with dirt track rules) | 16+
• Clubman 250: 250cc 2 or 4-stroke | MX Frame | Any wheel combination (in line with dirt track rules) | 16+
• Clubman 450: 251cc – 450cc 2 or 4-stroke | MX Frame | Any wheel combination (in line with dirt track rules) | 16+
• Junior Lites: 150cc 2-stroke or 250cc 4-stroke | MX Frame | 19-inch flat track tyre | 13 – U16 years

The class structure is designed with clear intentions to lift the profile of the discipline and the riders who participate, while also giving those who succeed a path that aligns with similar-style racing in the US and Europe on 19-inch flat track tyres.

PRIZE MONEY

Rise Activation, the promoter of the 2022 AFTN, has confirmed that both competitors and spectators will be in the running to take home a share of over $20,000 in cash and prizes, thanks to the support of the Australian motorcycle industry.

“Leading brands, manufacturers and distributors have joined forces behind the initiative to breathe life into the AFTN and reward our most talented flat track racers,” explained Rise Activations’ Dave Maddock.

“The top five place getters of the Pro 450 class will share in $11,500 in cash and prizes, with the overall inaugural AFTN Pro 450 champion in 2022 (the rider with the highest points tally after 10 races over two days) will take home $8000 in cash and prizes. The top three placegetters in every single AFTN class will share a total prize pool value of between $1550 and $950 per class in cash and prizes, from Pro Twins to Junior 85s,” Maddock went on to say.

It doesn’t end there either, with Maddock confirming that spectators who attend either Saturday and/or Sunday will also be in the running for cash and prizes, plus door prizes will be awarded through the day alongside raffle prizes, also on offer over both days.

For more info or to enter, check out www.AFTN.com.au, and stay tuned to AFTN’s social channels: www.instagram.com/FlatTrackNats and www.facebook.com/FlatTrackNationals