With new venues, returning champs and road race stars in the mix, the flat-track championship is set for its biggest year yet
The Aussie Flat Track Nationals (AFTN) series is set to launch its fourth season at Maryborough, Queensland, over 26-27 July and will stick with the successful formula of having the first day of competition on the oval track followed by a switch to the TT course for the second day, with both forming separate rounds.
The series has grown hugely in popularity and standing since its inception and now holds official Australian championship status.
Last year’s premier class Pro 450 champion, Tom Herrick from West Wyalong, is primed to defend his title following a season that included several tense battles with Sunshine Coast star Jarred Brook.
The title fight went down to the final race of the year at Gunnedah, with the winning margin a mere nine points. The pair looks set to do battle once again, but Herrick insists he isn’t focused on any one particular rider.
“I don’t see the situation between Jarred and I as a rivalry as such, I just go out there to do my best in every race,” Herrick said. “There are so many awesome riders in the Pro 450 field, you have to ride that way. I reckon Tom Armstrong will be a dark horse this year; he’s quick.”
Herrick and Brook will be joined at Maryborough by ASBK road racing stars Cam Dunker and John Lytras, among others, with Herrick saying Lytras will also be one to watch. “Queenslanders always do well in their own backyard,” he joked. Brook has a similar outlook regarding Herrick and feels as motivated as ever, but he doesn’t feel any rider will have an advantage at Maryborough. “The club at Maryborough has been around a long time; 100 years or more. It used to be an oil track, but it has only recently reopened on dirt. I’ve raced there three times, but twice it rained right before the event, so it was difficult to get a gauge on the surface. Even if it does rain, I don’t think anybody will have an advantage just because it’s all so new.”
Brook is also aware that the season is likely to produce more spectacular battles between himself and Herrick, adding, “Gunnedah last year, that was some intense racing! I think we were really lucky to have that calibre of rider on the same racetrack at Gunnedah; it was a pretty special weekend from a spectator point of view.”
One thing series organiser Dave Maddock is keen to do this year is to take the racing into new regions, with Wodonga and Griffith (under lights) also on the calendar while the season finale is being held once again in Gunnedah. “We’re very excited to be visiting some new venues this year; we’ve got the Women’s class returning at Maryborough, then we will rotate the support classes around and feature the Twins. Everyone loves seeing the bigger machines battle it out, and all the support classes unearthed some exciting new talent. The lap times of the juniors are very close to the 450s. It’s great action.”
Several Junior 85 riders will return, including Lucy Heaton-New and Hugo Holmes. In Junior Lites there is a blend of old and new, with Lockie Duggan stepping up and Neiko Donovan returning.
Herrick to take on US Singles
Tom Herrick revealed that straight after the opening AFTN round at Maryborough he will step on a plane bound for the US, taking on four rounds of the American Flat Track Singles series. Herrick will link up with the Drane family and then travel with his mechanic, with the first stop being the double-header Sturgis short track events before hitting the Sturgis TT event a few days later. “I’m not sure how I’ll handle the short track. It’s going to be a learning experience, for sure. The big difference is their series doesn’t use a front brake. We use the front brake a lot over here, but I’ve trained without it and I think I’ll be OK. It just takes a bit more commitment!”
His month-long trip will culminate with the Peoria TT in Bartonville, Illinois. “I’m really looking forward to Peoria. I love the TT tracks, so I’m excited for that. A good result at Maryborough is the first priority, though.”
