Originally slated to be hosted by the Taree Motorcycle Club on the well-known Old Bar oil circuit, the final two rounds of the Aussie Flat Track Nationals (AFTN) will now head to Gunnedah’s Balcary Park oil track this weekend.
The Aussie Flat Track Nationals (AFTN) is Australia’s premier national Flat Track race series, with 6 rounds over 3 weekends up and down the east coast of Australia. Each venue offers different track surfaces and configurations to challenge the 85 riders that have travelled from all over Australia. Australia’s best flat track racers will battle out the final two rounds of the new six-round series after the Taree club confirmed the venue would not be ready for competition in time.
This weekend is Rounds 5 and 6, the last of the season. Saturday will see competitors practice, qualify and compete in 4 Flat Track (oval configuration) races through the day. Sunday will see competitors practice, qualify and compete in 4 TT (configuration that includes left and rght turns and a jump) races through the day. Round winners will be awarded each day, with the series winners also awarded on Sunday afternoon.
All competitors are racing for a share in over $35,000 in cash and prizes. Gunnedah local Daniel Wicks is second (48 point deficit) in the premiere Pro 450 Class to Mick Kirkness (Rutherford, NSW). There are 450 points across 8 races on offer this weekend, so 48 points is a close gap.
The 2023 AFTN venues and clubs were strategically chosen both on their location up and down the east coast of Australia, and the varying surface types they offered to allow the series to showcase the best rider’s skill sets across a range of variables.
“Heading to Old Bar was an excuse of sorts really. We love the track, and we have great memories, along with a lot of other people, of the Troy Bayliss Classic there, so by taking the AFTN there it was added motivation for the club to push towards their goal of re-opening the track for racing after an extended period of inactivity,” said AFTN series organiser Dave Maddock.
“The club, and in particular President, Craig Nelson, have been fantastic in keeping us updated, but it became clear that although positive steps have been made, it would be difficult to guarantee the circuit would be ready in time for our final rounds on November 11 and 12.”
“We then approached the Gunnedah Motorcycle Club who quickly confirmed their interest and ability to host the AFTN, we agreed to terms and entries are now open,” he said.
With four rounds, sixteen races and some two hundred and forty laps per competitor ridden in the series so far, racers will have another eight races and 225 points on offer per class to secure their final series position on Gunnedah Motorcycle Clubs impressive Barclay Park facility, included the freshly updated TT circuit for Sunday’s final round of the season. With in excess of $30,000 in cash and prizes on offer, including diamond earrings for our Women’s Open winner and Pro 450 gold and diamond championship ring from Bunda Fine Jewels.
Series Leaderboards
Pro 450
- 387 Michael KIRKNESS 765
- 176 Daniel WICKS 717
- 29 Billy VAN EERDE 659
- 14 Thomas HERRICK 602
- 178 Dale BORLASE 513
- 25 Cyshan WEALE 509
- 314 Rowan TEGART 489
- 42 Jordan DALL 462
- 33 Reid BATTYE 414
- 598 Rory MCQUALTER 391
Junior Lites
- 555 Lachlan RUSSELL 795
- 87 Cooper ARCHIBALD 760
- 296 Thoren OPENSHAW 725
- 174 Bodie PAIGE 656
- 7 James WOOD 607
- 06 Hugh HOPE-HODGETTS 566
- Cameron DUNKER 413
- Blake FAIREY 404
- Jayden HOLDER 294
- William SECOMB 256
Junior 85
- 23 Jed FYFFE 863
- 2 Lenny DUGGAN 753
- 10 Lockie DUGGAN 720
- 22 Charlie NICHOLS 552
- 552 Jake PAIGE 524
- 11 William WIGGINS 500
- 12 Logan TURNER 496
- 26 Jye FRENCH 428
- 50 Aiden DIPPELSMANN 384
- 851 Levi LAYTON 359
Clubman Open
- 87 Lee HUNTER 765
- 5 Darren WEBB 760
- 261 Jason GRIFFIN 669
- 28 Neil GIRDLER 649
- 36 Darryl MALLAM 546
- 78 Rhys SANDOW 520
- 69 Luke TURNER 454
- 27 Molly FAIREY 436
- Shane GALE 394
- Rory HUTCHINSON 359
Pro Twins
- 49 Kristian O’DONNELL 160
- 43 Joel ELLIOTT 140
- 650 Miles ROE 132
- 66 Jamie PORTELLI 120
- 23 David SCULLARD 118
- 454 Justin STEELE 117
- 93 David BUTLER 110
- 24 Murray PEDLEY 98
- 72 Shane RICHARDS 96
- 737 Rocco NARDI 96
For more, check the AFTN website or Facebook Page.
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