PREVIEW: FLAT TRACK NATS ROUND 3 & 4

The Yamaha BLU CRU Aussie Flat Track Nationals (AFTN) moves south this weekend with Round 3 and 4 being hosted by the Albury-Wodonga Motorcycle Club at Diamond Park. This is another new circuit on the Australian Flat Track Championship calendar for 2025, with the opening round at Maryborough showcasing the fairytale comeback of thirty-six year old Tom Armstrong in the premier Pro 450 class.

Inspired by his young son who is learning to ride, Armstrong’s goal was to simply make it through to the top Pro 450 group. But, the 36-year-old former national dirt track champion stunned the field and won both rounds, surprising everyone but the man who tipped him to be a threat – current champion, Tom Herrick. Herrick will stake his claim for the title in Albury coming directly off a confidence-boosting trip to the USA competing in the American Flat Track Singles category where he hit the Top 10 at the Peoria TT.

This weekend sees bumper entries with two groups of Pro 450 and Clubman ready to do battle. The action will feature the flat track layout on Saturday with practice beginning at 2pm, and the final races run under lights before switching to the TT track on Sunday. Joining the Clubman class on the support card at Diamond Park will be the thumping Pro Twins (Saturday flat track only) alongside Junior Lites and Junior 85s.

Series Organiser, Dave Maddock: 
“We’re looking forward to an exciting weekend in Albury, as it’s always a buzz to bring the series to a new region. Maryborough was a thriller. Tom Armstrong lit up the track and I can’t wait to see how Tom Herrick responds after his good run of results in the USA. Along with Tom Drane and Max Whale, it shows our Aussie riders are right up there with the best in the world. This weekend we race under lights for the first time plus we see the first hit out for the Pro Twins, which are always a crowd pleaser. All those things combined actually give the program a bit of an American flavour. With over 90 riders entries are huge this weekend, we’ve had to split not only Pro 450 but also Clubman – it shows just how strong the format is and that the riders are enjoying racing on 19-inch tyres, which is very encouraging for the series.”

Tom Armstrong:
“I’ve had one weekend on the bike since Maryborough. I’m just trying to enjoy it and have fun. I reckon I’m way more nervous though, but that’s to be expected. I’ve got more ambition to win now; winning has given me more drive to train even harder. I’m trying to keep it fun, but that can be hard when you’ve got a target on your back. I’ve never really been in this kind of points situation over a structured series. Most of the things I’ve won in the past were individual meetings held over one day or a weekend, so there is that to manage. I do enjoy the Albury track, the TT track is very tight but being a speedway track I’m hoping I will go okay there!”