American Flat Track is pleased to announce its list of teams and riders for the inaugural year of AFT SuperTwins competition.

The most recent evolution in its revitalization of the sport of professional flat track, the AFT SuperTwins class represents a unity of the elite teams and most-skilled athletes who compete at every round of AFT competition.

At every event eighteen of the top riders in the sport will grid up for the AFT SuperTwins Main Event, allowing fans to closely follow their favorite athletes week after week. 

The list of teams selected for competition in the 2020 AFT SuperTwins class is as follows:

1. BriggsAuto.com Racing - Davis Fisher - #67 Indian FTR750
2. Coolbeth-Nila Racing - Sammy Halbert - #69 Indian FTR750
3. Estenson Racing - JD Beach - #95 Yamaha MT-07 DT
4. Estenson Racing - Kolby Carlile - #36 Yamaha MT-07 DT
5. Harley-Davidson / Vance & Hines - Dalton Gauthier - #79 Harley-Davidson XG750R
6. Harley-Davidson / Vance & Hines - Jarod Vanderkooi - #20 Harley-Davidson XG750R
7. HCRR Racing / Ben Evans Racing - Jay Maloney - #12 Indian FTR750
8. HCRR Racing / Ben Evans Racing - Brandon Robinson - #44 Indian FTR750
9. Indian Motorcycle - Briar Bauman - #1 Indian FTR750 
10. Indian Motorcycle - Bronson Bauman - #37 Indian FTR750
11. Indian Motorcycle / Rogers Racing - Jared Mees - #9 Indian FTR750
12. RJ Performance Racing - Robert Pearson - #27 Indian FTR750
13. Roof Systems of Dallas, Texas - Dan Bromley - #62 Indian FTR750
14. Roof Systems of Dallas, Texas -  Brandon Price - #92 Indian FTR750
15. Vance & Hines / Howerton Motorsports - Bryan Smith - #4 Harley-Davidson XG750R

The following teams have been approved as Wildcard Teams for 2020 competition. A limited number of entries remain. For more information on entering as a Wildcard Team, visit www.amaproracing.com.

      16. Happy Trail Racing - Jeffrey Carver, Jr. - #23 Indian FTR750

      17. Larry Pegram Racing - Larry Pegram - #72 Indian FTR750

      18. Rackley Keeran Racing - Andrew Luker - #11 Indian FTR750

Tickets for the debut of AFT SuperTwins competition and the first-ever Bike Week Saturday of Speed 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 $35 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.

To get the latest American Flat Track clothing and merchandise visit www.americanflattracker.com.

Latus Motors Racing is set to return to the American Flat Track scene in a major way with the announcement the team has signed James “The Rocket” Rispoli to contest the 2020 AFT Production Twins championship aboard a Harley-Davidson XG750R.

The development represents a dream pairing of a versatile rider with a versatile team who have independently enjoyed monumental success across multiple disciplines of two-wheeled sport.

28-year-old Rispoli is coming off an impressive 2019 season in which he seamlessly returned to his dirt track roots following a decade chasing roadracing wins and championships on both sides of the Atlantic.

Last season, Rispoli scored four podiums in AFT Production Twins action, ultimately finishing sixth in the championship, despite missing the opening round of the title fight. The performance served as a strong reminder of the fan favorite’s natural flat track skills, which he’d previously leveraged to take second overall in the 2009 AFT Singles standings.

Gladstone, Oregon-based Latus Motors Racing has a long association with American Flat Track racing. In the mid-2000s, Latus Motors garnered numerous race wins and top-three championship finishes while serving as the title sponsor for the 2000 Grand National Champion Joe Kopp. Subsequently, Latus and Kopp formed an inhouse Triumph-based effort that finished on the podium in the premier class of American Flat Track racing as recently as 2015.

Like Rispoli, Latus Motors Racing branched out into other forms of motorcycle sport to remarkable results. The team established itself a serious contender on multiple makes and in multiple series, including taking a dramatic triumph in the prestigious DAYTONA 200 in 2011.

Team owner George Latus, said, “I was involved in flat track for a lot of years, and more recently we were heavily involved in roadracing. We kind of put a hold on things for a couple of years, but we saw the direction American Flat Track was going, and it’s moving forward in a very positive way. We were looking to get back into it and recognized the potential of the Harley-Davidson XG750R and the Production Twins class as the perfect way to do that.

“I’ve raced against James for many years. He’s got a great attitude, and he’s a terrific competitor. I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with him.”

Team Manager Kopp said, “One of the big benefits James brings to our program is the electronics knowledge he gained last year helping Vance & Hines to tune the bikes. The way the sport is going, you have to some comfort playing with that stuff, and he’s definitely on top of that more than just about any rider that I know out there. That’s going to be huge.

“We’re excited. We’re going to come out swinging, and I think we’re going to surprise some people for sure with the Harley out there.”

Rispoli said, “I couldn't be happier with the opportunity to race the XG750R for Latus Motors Racing. My relationship with Mr. Latus goes back a decade when we first discussed the possibility of me riding for his road race team. I've raced against his teams for a long time, so I'm very familiar with exactly how well prepared his team is and how serious they are about winning. I'm also thrilled to be working with Joe. I have a huge amount of respect for him, and I was extremely excited when he gave me a call and told me he was looking forward to working with me too.

“Last year's experience riding and developing the XG750R makes me confident we can fight for wins and the title the 2020. I've reunited with personal trainer Richie Perperian -- who helped me win two AMA Pro SuperSport championships -- to make sure I take maximum advantage of this awesome opportunity. We're already off and rolling.”

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 $35 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.

To get the latest American Flat Track clothing and merchandise visit www.americanflattracker.com.

The Summit Racing Equipment I-X Piston Powered Auto-Rama, March 13-15, 2020 at the I-X Center, will debut Amanda Berry’s restored 1986 Monte Carlo SS at this year’s show. This feature car, restored by the students at Max S. Hayes High School under the direction of Greg Boykin, will proudly be displayed on John Shapiro Cruisin’ Time All-Stars on Thunder Row all weekend for an estimated 55,000 attendees to see.

It may just be an ‘86 Monte Carlo SS to most, but this car is more than that to Berry, kidnapping survivor, activist and best-selling author. Berry’s love for cars started as a young girl through a bond she shared with her grandfather and when she was to turn 16, the car would be hers. Unfortunately, this gift sat idle because Berry was kidnapped on April 21, 2003, one day before her birthday.

Seventeen year’s later, Berry no longer has to wait for her dream car because of the dedication and generosity Boykin and his team at Max S. Hayes High School have shown. From the floorboards to the exterior, the students will have spent more than 500 hours refurbishing the ’86 Monte Carlo SS.

“The show has a deep commitment to working with local schools through our Career Day and Hotrodders of Tomorrow programs,” said Steve Legerski, Show Manager. “When Greg from Max S. Hayes brought this project to us, we knew debuting a car like this at the Piston Powered Auto-Rama would be the perfect platform.”

This project goes beyond restoring a classic car. By reviving the life of the Monte Carlo SS, it highlights the goodness of humanity and the memories Berry shared with her late grandfather. The restoration was made possible by Amanda Berry, Axelrod Collision Center, Dollar Bank, Evercoat, Greg Boykin (Auto Repair Collision Instructor), Max S. Hayes High School, Meguiar's, Safelite AutoGlass, Sherwin-Williams and Summit Racing Equipment.

For more information about Amanda Berry's Monte Carlo SS restoration, please visit pistonpowershow.com/amanda-berry. Tune into Fox 8 Cleveland as Berry makes it her own mission to help find those missing in Northeast Ohio.

HCRR Racing / Ben Evans Racing, backed by Roof Systems of Dallas, Texas, announced today its premiere in the AFT SuperTwins class with seasoned riders Brandon Robinson and Jay Maloney piloting its FTR750 machinery. 

"I could not be more excited to join AFT as a team owner in 2020," said Jim Hudson, Team Owner of HCRR Racing. "We've joined forces with Ben Evans Racing and Roof Systems of Dallas, Texas and between all of the talent we've got, we are confident we can win at every event. I've been a fan of flat track racing my entire life, so this is a dream come true for me."

Known as one of the most consistent riders on the circuit, Robinson started 2019 - his inaugural year on the championship-winning FTR750 - with three wins at the Atlanta Short Track, Texas Half-Mile and So-Cal Half-Mile.

"I am pumped about the 2020 season," said Robinson. "I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity. Riding for HCRR Racing and Ben Evans Racing with help from Roof Systems gives me the resources to be a real challenger for the SuperTwins championship."

Earning his national number in 2014, Maloney has been competing in AFT's premier class as both a rider and team owner for five years. His addition to the HCRR roster for 2020 will enable him to focus on his performance on the racetrack.

"I am extremely excited to be involved with HCRR Racing and Ben Evans Racing in 2020," said Maloney. "The past few years I have been putting in a lot of work running my own program. I was driving, working on bikes and worrying about setting up programs for the following season. Being a part of a team like HCRR backed by Roof Systems means I can focus on the task-at-hand: strong Main finishes. It is going to be a great year for us in the SuperTwins class."

"We are very excited about all of the SuperTwins riders we are supporting," said Jerry Stinchfield, CEO and Team Owner of Roof Systems of Dallas, Texas. "Brandon is one of the strongest riders out there - he got three wins last season, and Jay is a seasoned vet. These two, plus Price and Bromley on the Roof Systems team will really give those other guys a run for their money at every track."

Tickets for the first-ever Bike Week Saturday of Speed 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 $35 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.

To get the latest American Flat Track clothing and merchandise visit www.americanflattracker.com.

 With nearly three years and 50 rounds of Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, since his last win, emotions were on full display Saturday night when Ken Roczen rolled his Wiseco-powered No. 94 Team Honda HRC Honda CRF450R onto the podium following the checkered flag at the St. Louis Supercross at The Dome of America’s Center. 

 Roczen led 23 of 24 laps and collected his 12th career Supercross victory before 51,000-plus energized fans, finally coming full circle since suffering what many speculated could have been a career-ending injury in 2017. 

 In a sweet bit of irony, Roczen’s win comes at Round two, the same round where he secured his last Supercross win, three seasons ago.

 “I felt pretty good,” explained an emotional Roczen who now sits second in points with 16 races left to contest. “I made a move pretty quick on Zach (Osborne) and then I had a clear track. I felt good on the bike and my bike worked really good this weekend. I think we got it dialed in. We were tinkering around with it throughout practice. I rode good in the heat race, so we left the bike alone and that paid off. The tower with timing and scoring was right at the start-finish line so you could always get a glance at it, which was terrible because it made the race feel super long, especially when you’re up there (leading). 

 “We were in a good position, though. I’ve messed it up in the past at the end and I was just charging. I had pretty solid speed for the whole race. It was fun. I took it all in … I just wanted to get the race over with. On the last lap, it felt like I was singling every jump. I just didn’t want to do anything stupid. It’s still surreal. It’s been a long time. It’s amazing right now.” 

 The 25-year-old German rider served notice to the competition throughout the afternoon and evening program, by making competitive strides during each timed qualifying session and winning his heat race. By the end of the 20-minute plus-one-lap 450SX Class main event, Roczen led all but one of the race’s 24 laps and beat last week’s winner and points leader Justin Barcia by just a tick under five seconds. 

 Roczen’s Team Honda HRC teammate Justin Brayton turned in a workman-like eighth-place performance to record his second straight top 10 of the season. 

 Brayton, the 2018 Daytona Supercross winner, made his 153rd career 450SX class start after being promoted to the factory Honda team for 2020. Despite suffering a mechanical issue during his heat race, the Fort Dodge, Iowa native raced his way into the main by winning the last chance qualifier (LCQ) and closed out the weekend with a spirited top-10 effort. 
 
“Definitely a wild night,” said Brayton. “I never want to go to the LCQ, but I actually enjoyed it a bit. Under those circumstances, you just try to make the best of it, and it was kind of nice to get out there and win it, plus get to ride the track so close to the main event. I hope I don’t have to go to another one though! I’m super proud of the team to be able to get me back out there. Main event-wise, I was still able to get a pretty good start from the far outside gate. I ran inside the top 10 for the whole race, finishing eighth, which isn’t where I would like to be by any means but still an overall good start to the season with the adversity both weekends. Hopefully another cleaner weekend next week at A2 (Anaheim). I’m really hoping to be in the top five, then build up to some podium finishes.”

 In Western Regional 250SX class action, Jett Lawrence carried the load for his Wiseco-supported GEICO Honda Team and was nothing short of impressive in just his second professional Supercross start. 

 Coming off a ninth-place finish in his debut last weekend, the Australian teenager backed up his openinground effort and flexed his Wiseco muscle by snaring the holeshot, racing in the top two for much of the 250SX Class main event, and eventually coming home fifth aboard his No. 83 Honda CRF250R. While Round 2 presented its share of challenges to the 16-year-old, and perhaps a missed opportunity, Lawrence came away from St. Louis with an optimistic eye toward the next race on the schedule. 

 “Weekend was up and down,” said Lawrence. “Qualified good with fifth fastest, but the heat race was a complete disaster, rode like a complete rookie. Thankfully I pulled it together somewhat in the main. I rode a good race and was ready to challenge for the win with three mins left before I clipped a Tuff Block, forcing me to come into the pits. Kind of a bummer to have that happen, but it’s okay because I learned a lot and am ready to battle at the front this weekend in Anaheim!”

 The top-five finish propelled Lawrence from ninth to a tie for fifth in points, with only a slim five-point gap separating him from the top three. 

 Lawrence’s GEICO Honda stablemate Christian Craig put in a solid ride until contact with a Tuff Block left him with a damaged motorcycle, sending him to the pits prior to the conclusion of the 250SX Class main event. Craig is knotted in a four-way tie for ninth in points, with just 10 markers separating him from the top five.  

 Monster Energy AMA Supercross returns to Anaheim, Calif., this weekend for the series’ second stop of the season at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. The third of 17 races on the 2020 Monster Energy AMA Supercross schedule will be televised on NBCSN Sat., January 18 beginning at 10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, 7 p.m. Pacific.
 

Road to Indy TV, the broadcast production arm of the Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires, will return for Season 7 in 2020 with an expanded programming platform to provide increased coverage for race fans, competitors and series partners. The three-pronged video content plan will feature increased live, edited and social media segments covering the three renowned driver development series – Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires, the Indy Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires and the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship – to audiences around the world.

Road to Indy TV is the brainchild of JP Manterola, Founder, CEO and Creative Director of Pro Racing Group – an international award winning, full-service sports marketing agency headquartered in Lithia, Fla. just outside Tampa. Since 2014, Manterola and his team, including Senior Creative Designer Travis Earnest and Project Manager and Producer Kyran Guild, have strived to bring unprecedented coverage of the Road to Indy across all platforms.

In 2016, the Road to Indy became the first American racing series with a dedicated broadcast channel on demand and also the first open-wheel series to have an official App on Xbox One. In 2020, all shows will now be available on demand as well as live on Apple TV, Amazon Fire and Roku. The shows will also be live streamed on the free Road to Indy TV App (which launched in 2015), on RoadToIndy.TV and its social media platforms and on the respective series websites – indylights.com, indypro2000.com and usf2000.com – and social media outlets.

Road to Indy TV will now be producing full live race shows with over three hours of streaming content daily on race weekends which includes a dedicated pre-race show, and race and post-race coverage of each series highlighted by special segments Paddock Pass, RTI Insider and The False Grid.

For the first time, embed codes for all shows will be available to series drivers, teams, partners and interested media for live streaming use on their own outlets.

“Live content is so important in this day and age,” said Manterola. “In 2020, live streaming is expected to account for 82% of all internet traffic. Our goal with our new expanded live programming is to meet what the numbers tell us in terms of consumption by consumers with quality live programming and behind-the-scenes access. The Road to Indy is a great product with tremendous racing and a host of stories off the track. We are excited about the creative process we have lined up and look forward to engaging more fans this season.”

The social media component of the video content plan will include regular one-minute features with individual Indy Lights, Indy Pro 2000 and USF2000 race weekend highlights as well as Beyond the Grid, Road to Indy 101, Tech Talk, Story of the Moment and Weekend Recap segments. Fuller two to five-minute edited segments will be produced the week following a race event and will include Beyond the Grid, Road to Indy 101, Tech Talk, Story of the Moment and Race Recap.

All creative content will be supported by social media marketing, providing better brand recognition among a wider audience and more exposure for series competitors. In addition, in-show branding and advertising opportunities will be offered for the first time.

“JP and his team are tremendously passionate in their efforts to expose the Road to Indy to as large an audience as possible,” said Dan Andersen, Owner and CEO of Andersen Promotions. “Each year they strive to take their creativity and technical capabilities to new heights, and 2020 will begin a new era of live content for our teams, drivers and partners thanks to their efforts.”