DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 7, 2020) – As anticipation climbs for the 2020 season of American Flat Track, Coolbeth-Nila Racing makes an announcement sure to turn the tide of the inaugural AFT SuperTwins season. Making his debut on the Indian Motorcycle FTR750, Sammy Halbert will pilot the Coolbeth-Nila machine in 2020.

"We are really excited to get the season started," said Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. of Coolbeth-Nila Racing. "We have made a lot of major improvements to the bikes, and combine that with Sammy's drive to win, and I feel like we will be up front and contending for wins. Our team owner John Wise has put a lot into the program within the last couple of months to make sure that Sammy will be set up to be a major contender in the SuperTwins class."

Arguably one of the most versatile riders on the circuit, Halbert has scored a victory on each of the four types of AFT tracks. With thirteen career premier class victories to his name, Halbert is excited and optimistic about his transition to the multi-championship-winning FTR750.

"I'm honored to have Kenny Coolbeth choose me to ride for him, especially after having raced with him in the AFT series since 2005," said Halbert. "We've had a lot of great battles on the track over the years, which makes it that much more special to combine our efforts and talents to take on the competition. I'm excited to see what I can do on a bike that's already a proven winner. With the full support of this team behind me, and our growing list of partners including Roof Systems of Dallas, Texas, I am looking forward to great things this year.”

Tickets for the first-ever doubleheader - DAYTONA 200 and DAYTONA TT - at the legendary Daytona International Speedway are on sale now. Watch both historic motorcycle racing events during Bike Week at DAYTONA for just $25 when you purchase an advance General Admission ticket online. Get yours at www.americanflattrack.com.

For more information on American Flat Track visit www.americanflattrack.com.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (December 20, 2019) – BriggsAuto.com Racing announced today its intent to compete in the AFT SuperTwins class for the 2020 American Flat Track season. The powerhouse effort will combine the skill and knowledge of seasoned tuner Johnny Goad with the raw talent of premier class pilot Davis Fisher.

"The BriggsAuto.com Racing Team is excited to be back full-time in 2020," said Sarah Irby-Goad of BriggsAuto.com Racing. "We have a long history in the sport that includes the Fisher family. We have witnessed the continued growth of Davis and he has become a strong contender. Combining Davis's talent, with Johnny's knowledge and the support of Russ and Ilene Briggs and Martin Trucking, we feel we have a winning combination for 2020 SuperTwins competition."

Fisher finished ninth in AFT Twins competition in 2019 with best finish of third at both the Sacramento Mile and Williams Grove Half-Mile.

"I couldn't be more excited than I am to join BriggsAuto.com Racing in 2020," said Fisher. "With this opportunity I will be able to focus 100% on being a better racer because I know Johnny Goad will have the bikes ready to win. I'm so grateful for Bob Lanphere's Beaverton Motorcycles and Dick Wall 60 for sticking with me on this opportunity. They will be huge assets to myself and the BriggsAuto.com team in 2020."

Tickets for the first-ever doubleheader - DAYTONA 200 and DAYTONA TT - at the legendary Daytona International Speedway are on sale now. Watch both historic motorcycle racing events during Bike Week at DAYTONA for just $25 when you purchase an advance General Admission ticket online. Get yours at www.americanflattrack.com.

For more information on American Flat Track visit www.americanflattrack.com.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (December 19, 2019) – AMA Pro Racing is deeply saddened by the passing of motorcycle racing legend Dick Klamfoth. 

Born in Columbus, Ohio in 1928, Klamfoth began riding motorcycles at the age of 14. He won the DAYTONA 200 on a Norton in his first outing in 1949, following that up with additional victories on the beach course in 1951 and 1952.

From 1954 to 1961, Klamfoth made his mark on the Grand National Championship, finishing in the top 10 each year and scoring five national Half-Mile wins on his BSA. After retiring from racing, he was inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2017. 

Klamfoth's record of three DAYTONA 200 victories held for nearly 50 years but the "King of the Beach" will be synonymous with America's most historic motorcycle race forever. A perpetual promoter of motorcycle racing, Klamfoth and his wife Bev led the charge to create the Daytona 200 Monument in 2002. Located on the beach near Main Street in Daytona Beach, the monument is dedicated to preserving the history of the legendary beach race that birthed Daytona Bike Week.

After returning to the scene following more than 25 years away and coming within six points of claiming the AFT Singles title in 2019, American Honda is set to increase their involvement and support of RMR for the upcoming season.

“RMR has been a great partner, earning second place in the 2019 AFT Singles championship during our first year of collaboration,” said Brandon Wilson, Manager of Advertising & Motorcycle Sports at American Honda. “For 2020, we’re excited to have Henry Wiles on a CRF450R, and we look forward to him and the team continuing Honda’s proud history in the sport of dirt track racing.”

The addition of Wiles is a monumental development destined to send shockwaves throughout the paddock and the clearest sign possible regarding the seriousness of the RMR/American Honda effort.

"It’s an honor to have American Honda back with RMR in an even larger capacity in 2020," said Richie Morris, owner of Richie Morris Racing. "I’m so excited that this partnership includes the recruitment of Henry Wiles. In my opinion, Henry is one of the best flat track pros to ever swing a leg over a 450; RMR is proud to have him. We’re certain that he’s the right man to bring home the championship in 2020."

“King Henry” is arguably one of the most accomplished Singles riders in the history of the sport. The Winn, Michigan, native was crowned GNC1 Singles Champion in 2009 and 2010, and boasts 26 career premier-class victories aboard four-stroke singles, including a string of 14 straight at the legendary Peoria TT.

In fact, from 2009 to 2016 (the final year singles were included in the premier category), he won half (19 of 38) of the races he started on single-cylinder equipment.

Wiles is AFT’s all-time winningest TT rider with 19 victories in the discipline and stands equal with Chris Carr at the top of the order in Short Track wins at nine. He ranks 11th in career American Flat Track wins at 30, having also demonstrated the ability to take the checkered flag first aboard twin-cylinder machinery and at Half-Mile venues. That versatility was well demonstrated in 2018, when he finished as the AFT Twins championship runner-up with six podiums and 13 top-fives.

Regarding his impending move into the AFT Singles class, Wiles said, “Richie gave me a call and was talking about going and winning a 450 championship. It’s absolutely exciting to be associated with American Honda, and I’m walking on to a good team that already has some things sorted out. That’s going to be good for me… and I think it’s going to be bad for everybody else. Richie was very up front with me about what the goal is. They’ve got everything in place, and Richie has won championships before. He’s a team owner who knows how to put the right people in place to do just that.”

Wiles will team with returning RMR rider Cole Zabala, who registered five top-10 finishes in AFT Singles action a year ago with RMR.

"Cole is truly a good kid," Morris said. "He’s not afraid of hard work and I admire that. He learned much last season and is important to one of our associate sponsors, Tucker Powersports. It’s going to be fun to watch him learn from Henry and become the future of American Flat Track."

Zabala said, “I’m really excited to continue the relationship with RMR and American Honda. Last year was a huge improvement in my program, and I’m stoked for this upcoming season!”

Returning for his second year with Estenson Racing, 2020 will be JD Beach’s first full-season in American Flat Track. With multiple road race titles on his resume, the Owensboro, Kentucky, resident has his sights set on a SuperTwins crown. He pulled double duty with the team in 2019, competing in the premier classes of both AFT and MotoAmerica. The dirt track/road racer made history with his first AFT Grand National win at the Super TT in Arizona, which was also the first victory for a Yamaha Twin since 1981. Beach then backed it up the following weekend at Virginia International Raceway with his first MotoAmerica Superbike win, becoming the first rider to top the podium during the same season in the premier class of both disciplines since Nicky Hayden in 2002. He ended the year in AFT with two wins and three podiums.

Kolby Carlile made the transition to the Twins ranks last season, competing both in the new AFT Production Twins class and AFT Twins. He had a solid rookie year in spite of injury and made a late-season charge for the Production Twins title, ultimately ending the year third in the Production championship with two wins and six podiums. The “Flying Tomato” also showed strength in the premier class on the TTs, making all four Main Events. Carlile now looks forward to stepping up to the SuperTwins full-time in his fourth season with the Estenson Racing squad.

The newest member of the team, Mikey Rush, jumped straight into the premier class of AFT in 2009 and scored his first win in 2013 at the Daytona Short Track. After some tough years in the privateer ranks, he made the move to the AFT Singles class and had a standout season in 2019, finishing second in the championship with four wins and seven podiums. The Californian now looks to bring home the title in 2020 aboard the Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F.

Returning with the team is 2019 AFT Singles Rookie of the Year, Dallas Daniels. The 16-year-old turned heads last season with a dominant debut win at the Peoria TT. He then went on to back it up with two more podiums to finish the year just outside the top 10, despite only turning pro mid-season. Daniels looks to build on his progress in his first full-year of AFT competition.

Keith McCarty – Yamaha Racing Division Manager

“We’re very excited to expand our partnership with the Estenson Racing team for 2020.  Last year, Tim Estenson really stepped it up in a big way with his new tractor-trailer that set the standard in the pits that Yamaha is accustomed to. In addition, he assembled a great group of riders that accomplished some milestone events for Estenson Racing and Yamaha with a couple of AFT Twins wins and several podium finishes. The team also had success in the Production Twins and singles class.

For 2020, with the help of Tommy Hayden, Tim has refined his crew and assembled a solid team of winning riders with improvements to their equipment that should greatly increase their chances for championships. With a great rider line-up and Tim’s enthusiasm for perfection, I’m sure good things will happen for the Estenson Racing Yamaha Team.”

Tim Estenson – Estenson Racing Team Owner

“My roots in racing, in motorcycling in general, have been with the Yamaha brand, so I’m really happy to have Yamaha USA’s increased support for our American Flat Track effort. Last season, we were able to accomplish my dream of returning a Yamaha Twin to the top of box for the first time in nearly forty years with JD Beach’s win in Arizona. Going into the new season, along with the support we are receiving from Yamaha, we’ve made some key additions to our staff and technical program. We’ve had some success early on with our young team and I look forward to building on that in 2020 to fight for the championship.

“I’m really happy to have JD back on board with us and especially full time this year in American Flat Track. I also look forward to seeing Kolby step up full-time in the SuperTwins class. He brought us our first championship and it has been great to see him progress in the sport with our team. On the AFT Singles side, Dallas had a great rookie season in 2019 and I look forward to his continued growth in the sport. I’m also really excited to have a championship contender like Mikey Rush join our team. He has a great story and has showed a lot of character and perseverance over the years as a privateer in the sport.”

JD Beach – Estenson Racing SuperTwins Team:

“I’m really looking forward to being back with the Estenson Racing crew. I think we kind of got started on our back foot last season. We were hoping for more, but we still managed a few wins, and within the Twins team a few podiums. I think the changes to the team and the new personnel are going to help a lot. We’re all putting in a lot of work this winter to come out next season swinging. I’m definitely looking forward to it.”

Kolby Carlile – Estenson Racing SuperTwins Team:

“2020 is going to be an awesome year for me. I learned a lot last year racing the Twin in the Production Twins class and winning a few rounds. This year I’ll be racing in the new AFT SuperTwins class full-time on the Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07. The guys I’ll be racing against week in and week out are the fastest guys in the world and I feel like I’ve always benefited from racing the best there is. The team also has some new members that are going to be huge additions in the development of the bike.

“Going into the new year, I’ve been taking a few months away from racing to allow me to focus on getting my knee in better condition. The races are a bit longer this year for me, and the intensity is up from what I have raced before, so being in top physical condition is important. I have an awesome teammate in JD Beach. I’ve grown up learning from him and I don’t plan on stopping now. I look forward to doing my best to improve the bike, the team, and myself in 2020.”

Mikey Rush – Estenson Racing AFT Singles Team:

“I’m really excited to have this opportunity with Estenson Racing. Tim is a great guy and their whole program is very professional. I’m looking forward to working with them next season and am ready to go racing and fight for the AFT Singles Championship.”

Dallas Daniels – Estenson Racing AFT Singles Team:

“I’m super excited to start my first full year in American Flat Track with Estenson Racing. I’ve been training hard and preparing for 2020. I’m really looking forward to getting things started in Daytona. I can’t wait for the season.”

American Flat Track will kick off its highly-anticipated 2020 season with the first-ever Saturday of Speed featuring the DAYTONA 200 and DAYTONA TT Doubleheader at Daytona International Speedway. It all kicks off at the peak of Daytona Bike Week on Saturday, March 14, 2020. Tickets start at just $35 online and are available for purchase now at www.americanflattrack.com.

For more information on American Flat Track visit www.americanflattrack.com.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (December 10, 2019) – American Flat Track and Dunlop Motorcycle Tires announced today another multi-year renewal to the long-term partnership between America's Original Extreme Sport and the premier manufacturer of motorcycle tires in North America.

Continuing on as the Official Tire of American Flat Track, Dunlop also announced the development of the first new flat track tire in 40 years - the DT4. The new spec tire for the series, all riders in all three AFT classes will be competing on the DT4 in 2020.

"We are delighted to continue our association with Dunlop," said Michael Lock, CEO of American Flat Track. "Their R&D and manufacturing here in the USA is an important advantage for us and has resulted in a brand new tire for our sport. Better durability, more rider confidence and a superior performance envelope give the promise of even better racing in AFT in 2020."

The DT3 has long been the benchmark for professional and amateur flat track racing alike, but the  DT4 will feature all new tread patterns for both front and rear tires. The DT4 is also engineered to be used without tubes. The DT4 will be made available in all current DT3 tire compounds, allowing racers to match tire setup to specific track conditions on race day. 

In coordination with Dunlop, American Flat Track held off-season testing sessions during which riders were invited to test the new DT4. 

"I did some testing early on with the new compounds," said multi-time champion and member of the Indian Motorcycle Wrecking Crew Jared Mees. "I liked what I felt...they felt good, really consistent."

“We cannot be more excited to be extending our partnership with AFT," said Mike Buckley, Senior VP of Sales/Marketing of Dunlop Motorcycle Tires. "The sport is poised to reach new levels and we hope that America’s Original Extreme Sport will attract many new riders to our industry. To be bringing a new product for the first time in over 40 years, one fully designed by the same R&D unit that has brought legendary tires like our Q4 and Q3+ ranges, is particularly gratifying. We believe AFT competitors will appreciate these new tires and we look forward to working with AFT and the competitors to continue to innovate in the area of tire development in the future”

American Flat Track will roar into its 2020 season with its first-ever doubleheader - DAYTONA 200 and DAYTONA TT - at the legendary Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, March 14.  Get discounted advance tickets now at www.americanflattrack.com.

For more information on American Flat Track visit www.americanflattrack.com.