Flat track racers mid race

Flat Track

Sometimes called “America’s Original Extreme Sport,” flat track motorcycle racing has been thrilling participants and spectators alike since the beginning of motorcycling more than a century ago.

One of the most traditional forms of motorcycle competition in the United States, flat track racing — also referred to as dirt track racing — got started in an age when racers would compete on horse-racing tracks that were specially groomed to create a hard-packed dirt surface that was appropriate for racing motorcycles. Modern flat track racers compete in four different events: short-track oval, half-mile oval, and one-mile oval formats, as well as TT courses that feature at least one right turn and a jump.  

Professional flat track racing is one of the most competitive and exciting forms of motorcycle racing today, with world-class riders racing just inches apart on highly specialized motorcycles capable of reaching speeds as high as 140 mph — with no front brakes. The premier classes use purpose-built flat track bikes — sometimes called “framers” because of their custom-built frames — while novices often start out on lightly modified motocross or off-road motorcycles that have been converted for flat track use with different wheels, tires, and suspension components.  

In addition to AFT and the AMA Flat Track Grand Championship, the AMA sanctions numerous local flat track events all over the country. Riders converge on these tracks, many of which have been operating for decades, to battle for bragging rights, trophies and pro-am purses. 

Championship and Premier Events

Claim: Injured motorcyclists are uninsured and disproportionately rely upon the public to pay for their injuries.

Response: Motorcyclists are just as likely to be privately insured as any other road user.

A medical center study1 reported that injured motorcyclists in the trauma center relied on public funds a lower percentage of the time than did automobile drivers to pay their hospital bills during the same time period.

A university study2 reported that automobile drivers and motorcyclists have their medical costs covered by insurance at a nearly identical rate.

Conclusion: Injured motorcyclists are less likely than the general population to use public funds to pay for injuries sustained in crashes, and no more likely to be uninsured than other vehicle operators.

Since 1975, the AMA Flat Track Grand Championship has pitted top amateur flat trackers against each other in friendly competition. As the premier amateur flat track event in the United States, the AMA Flat Track Grand Championship is unmatched in terms of history and prestige.

Riders at the AMA Flat Track Grand Championship traditionally compete in all types of flat track races, with the overall class winners crowned national champions.

As with most AMA amateur national championships, and in recognition of the range of participants in amateur competition, the event includes multiple classes to provide ample opportunity for amateur racers to compete. Age, displacement and bike-configuration classes are featured.

2026 AMA Flat Track Grand Championship: July 5th-10th, 2026. Du Quoin, Illinois. Du Quoin State Fairgrounds.

2025 AMA Flat Track Grand Championship Classes & Schedule (PDF)

The AMA Vintage Flat Track National Championship Series recognizes national champions in period-correct classes that reflect the storied history of AMA flat-track competition. 

2026 AMA Vintage Flat Track National Championship Series Schedule

OrganizerEvent TitleTrackLocation DateContact Information
Echo Valley RidersRound 1 – Short Track – Triple Header Marion County SpeedwayOcala, FLFeb. 28(518) 727-0311
sflach@camppinnacle.org
Echo Valley RidersRound 2 – Short Track – Triple Header Marion County SpeedwayOcala, FLMarch 1(518) 727-0311
sflach@camppinnacle.org
Echo Valley RidersRound 3 – Short Track – Triple Header Marion County SpeedwayOcala, FLMarch 2(518) 727-0311
sflach@camppinnacle.org
Baer RacingRound 4 – 1/2 MileGratz FairgroundsGratz, PAMarch 28(717) 503-8030
candybaer@comcast.net
baermotorsports.com
Baer RacingRound 5 – Short Track McGrew Bid MotoplexYork Haven, PAMay 2(717) 503-8030
candybaer@comcast.net
baermotorsports.com
Echo Valley RidersRound 6 – Short Track Accord SpeedwayAccord, NYMay 9(518) 727-0311
sflach@camppinnacle.org
accordspeedway.com
Echo Valley RidersRound 7 – Short Track Accord SpeedwayAccord, NYMay 9(518) 727-0311
sflach@camppinnacle.org
accordspeedway.com
Mid Carolina SpeedwayRound 8 – Short Track Mid Carolina SpeedwayNeeses, SCJune 6(843) 343-0750
Mid Carolina SpeedwayRound 9 – Short Track Mid Carolina SpeedwayNeeses, SCJune 7(843) 343-0750
Square Deal RidersRound 10 – Short Track Square Deal Riders Track Port Crane, NYJune 12(607) 725-3069
williamsracing12@yahoo.com
squaredealriders.com
Square Deal RidersRound 11 – Short Track Square Deal Riders Track Port Crane, NYJune 13(607) 725-3069
williamsracing12@yahoo.com
squaredealriders.com
SOS Racing PromotionsRound 12 – Half MileVT State FairgroundsRutland, VTJune 20(978) 798-2889
sosracingpromotions@gmail.com
American Motorcyclist AssociationRound 13 – Half-MileAshland County FairgroundsAshland, OhioJuly 25(614) 856-1900
ksaillant@ama-cycle.org
americanmotorcyclist.com
Baer RacingRound 14- 4/10 MileHunterstown Speedway Gettysburg, PAAug. 1(717) 503-8030
candybaer@comcast.net
baermotorsports.com
SOS Racing PromotionsRound 15 – Half MileTBDNHTBA(978) 798-2889
sosracingpromotions@gmail.com
Old Goats Racing Round 16 – 3/8 Mile North Alabama SpeedwayTuscumbia, ALSept. 19(256) 714-0552
SEFTRound 17 – Short Track Possum Kingdom SpeedwayBelton, SCSept. 26(252) 567-2452

AMA-Sanctioned Events