Flat Track Racing

Flat Track

One of the most traditional forms of motorcycle competition in the United States, flat track racing grew from the age when riders would compete on county fair horse tracks groomed to deliver a hard-packed surface.

Riders compete in four different types of events: oval short-track, half-mile, and mile tracks, and TT courses, which feature at least one right turn and a jump. Flat track bikes include both traditional flat trackers (sometimes called “framers” because of their custom-built frames) and DTX bikes, which are converted motocross or off-road motorcycles. Due to the few modifications required of the showroom—generally, wheels, tires and suspension—DTX bikes are the most popular models in the discipline today.

Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award

Each summer, the AMA sanctions the Flat Track Grand Championship and presents the Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award to the most promising rider on the verge of a professional racing career. Competitors who wish to be considered for the Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award should download and complete the Letter of Intent, found here. Then return the completed form to the AMA.

AMA Flat Track Fast Brain Award

The AMA Fast Brain Award is bestowed upon a racer, based upon the racer’s performance at the event, as well as official school transcripts supplied at the time of application. Competitors who wish to be considered for the AMA Flat Track Fast Brain Award should download and complete the Letter of Intent, found here. Then return the completed form to the AMA.

AMA Flat Track Grand Championship

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.

2020 AMA Flat Track Grand Championship Supplemental Regulations (updated July 2020)

• Flat Track Competition Bulletin (updated Dec. 2020)

AMA Vintage Flat Track National Championship Series

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. Class winners are honored at the annual AMA Championship Banquet, which recognizes national champions in all amateur racing disciplines.

2021 AMA Vintage Flat Track National Championship Series Schedule

2020 AMA Vintage Flat Track National Championship Series Points  (updated Nov. 30)

Grassroots Racing

In addition to 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.

Flat Track Rules

AMA-sanctioned events run according to the rules developed and written by AMA Congress, the rules-making body of the AMA composed of AMA organizers.

The AMA Amateur Competition Rulebook is for the exclusive use of AMA-chartered clubs and promoters running AMA-sanctioned events. The rulebook applies to all AMA-sanctioned competition. Supplemental regulations are additions to the rulebook based on the needs of a specific series. All supplemental regulations are approved by the AMA.

Click here for the 2021 AMA Competition Rulebook

• Flat Track Competition Bulletin (updated Dec. 2020)

Hillclimb Rules

• Hillclimb Competition Bulletin (updated May 2020)
• Hillclimb Competition Bulletin (updated Dec. 2020)