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34-811: World Racing Group sanctions local and regional dirt track racing events in the United States and Canada under the DIRTcar Racing brand. WRG also produces and broadcasts its races on the company's streaming platform, DIR TV ision. Additionally, WRG owns and operates Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville FL, and presents several national touring series: World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series , World of Outlaws Late Model Series , Super DIRTcar Series , Xtreme DIRTcar Series, Xtreme Outlaws Midget Series, DIRTcar Summer Nationals, and American Sprint Car Series. Norman, Oklahoma businessman Paul Kruger purchased

68-674: A Biketoberfest race at Volusia. Various pit scenes from the 1990 film Days of Thunder were filmed at the speedway. From 1989 until 1992, the track hosted a NASCAR Busch Series race on the 1/2 mile layout. American Flat Track American Flat Track is an American motorcycle racing series. The racing series, founded and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) in 1954, originally encompassed five distinct forms of competitions including mile dirt track races, half-mile, short-track, TT steeplechase and road races . The championship

102-674: A maximum of two cylinders; in 1977 the short track engines were limited to 250cc and limited to one cylinder. When the Yamaha team withdrew from the Grand National championship after the 1977 season, Harley-Davidson was left once again to dominate the series. By 1983, the Grand National Championship had become the best attended form of dirt track racing in America, either on two wheels or four wheels. This would be

136-790: A new management team was bought in to replace Kruger. In another change to its business model, between 2013 and 2015 WRG sold off its racetracks, retaining only the Barberville, Florida facility. In 2021 WRG unveiled the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series and Xtreme Outlaw Sprint Car Series. In 2024 WRG added the American Sprint Car Series to its portfolio; the national series for 360 sprint cars had been founded by Emmett Hahn in 1992. Volusia Speedway Park Volusia Speedway Park (formerly known as Volusia County Speedway and Barberville Speedway )

170-526: A transition between the AFT Singles and AFT Twins classes. American Flat Track race broadcasts are produced by NASCAR Productions LLC. NBC Sports held the contract from 2017 to 2021. All 18 rounds air one-hour, tape-delayed telecasts on various nights throughout the summer and fall. Every session was streamed live on NBC Sports Gold 's TrackPass. For the 2022 season, AFT will air on Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports 2 , with NASCAR Productions producing

204-652: Is an auto racing facility located near Barberville in Volusia County, Florida . It currently operates as a 1/2-mile dirt oval and a 1/5-mile dirt oval for karts . The track currently hosts races from the World of Outlaws series (both sprints and late models) and the UMP late model series, As well as the UMP Super DIRTcar Series (Both big-block and small block modified racing ). The track

238-510: Is available via TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold. AFT SuperTwins is the pinnacle of dirt track motorcycle racing globally, and has been since the professional ranks were formalized as the Grand National Championship in 1954. Riders in this class represents a unity of elite teams and the most-skilled athletes who compete at every round of AFT competition. Each will race on custom-built, twin-cylinder motorcycles generating 90+ horsepower race bar-to-bar at speeds in excess of 140 mph, often drafting to

272-511: Is no longer the premier racing series in the United States, it continues to have a loyal following. In 2002 the single cylinder engines were limited to 550cc (push-rod) or 505cc (OHC); the twin-cylinder class was expanded to include production-derived engines up to 1250cc. In 2006 the Grand National Championship was split into two separate series: Grand National Championship Singles (for short track and TT events) and Grand National Championship Twins (for half mile and mile events); no overall title

306-923: The Weedsport Speedway . The assets included the video production company DIR TV ision . Boundless soon introduced a national touring series for Late Models , acquired the United Midwestern Promoters and the Mid America Racing Series (MARS), as well as purchased the Lernerville Speedway in Sarver PA, and the Volusia Speedway Park. In 2007 the company was restructured to do business as the World Racing Group, and

340-657: The AFT Production Twins class featuring production-based, 649-800cc twin-cylinder engines. In 1932, the AMA sanctioned a racing class called the Class A Dirt Track championship allowing for motorcycle manufacturers to enter prototype machinery. In 1933, the AMA introduced a new class called Class C which featured street-legal motorcycles in an effort to make motorcycle racing less expensive for ordinary motorcyclists. When manufacturers cut back on racing budgets during

374-492: The Camel Pro Series reverted as title sponsor for the Grand National Championship; the sponsorship lasted until the end of 1992 season. New dirt track classes were also introduced designed to attract young riders to the sport and, new rules for machinery were adopted in an effort to make it easier for motorcyclists to compete with motorcycles readily available from manufacturers. While the Grand National Championship

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408-521: The Grand National Championship series was introduced, featuring five different types of competitions: four of the competitions (Mile, Half-mile, TT, and Short Track) were held on dirt tracks, while the fifth was held on asphalt-paved courses. With the demise of the Indian motorcycle company in 1953, the Harley-Davidson factory was left to dominate the series. Harley-Davidson rider Joe Leonard won

442-476: The Great Depression, it spelled the end of Class A competition and the Class C championship became the most important championship. AMA crowned Indian-mounted Woodsie Castonguay its first Class C National Champion in 1935, and the final Class A champion was crowned in 1938. In the years prior to World War II, the Class C championship helped fuel an intense rivalry between Harley-Davidson and Indian ,

476-483: The advantage once held by former dirt trackers has been diminished. After the departure of the Honda team in 1987, the Harley-Davidson factory racing team dominated the series with rider Scott Parker winning nine national championships within an eleven-year period. During this period, dirt track racing continued its decline, partly due to the fact that motocross and road racing motorcycles could be purchased directly from

510-521: The broadcasts. Starting in 2022, international broadcasts are now airing in Brazil ( Rede Bandeirantes ) and Mexico (Fox Sports Mexico) as part of NASCAR media contracts in both countries because of their production of broadcasts. American Flat Track is now included in NASCAR's media rights package in those two countries that also include rights to three national NASCAR series, a regional NASCAR series, and

544-410: The burgeoning American motorcycle market, began to compete in the championship. Dick Mann won the national title for BSA in 1963, marking the first victory for a foreign manufacturer. Triumph would win three Grand National championships in four years with Gary Nixon winning back-to-back titles in 1967 and 1968, and Gene Romero taking another title in 1970. New regulations for 1969 eliminated

578-427: The complex between 1991 and 1998, the first eight events were on the 1/2 mile paved track. The last event, in 1998, was on the 3/8 mile recently paved oval but since it was converted back into dirt for 1999, the track was removed from Southeast schedule. The 3/8 mile dirt oval opened behind turn four of the original oval, operating from 1993 until it was paved in 1998 for a NASCAR Southeast Series event, but in 1999 it

612-403: The displacement limit for short-track events was increased to 360cc, but multi-cylinder two-stroke engines were still limited to 250cc. In 1975 the championship gained full sponsorship from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco and became known as Camel Pro Series . Between 1979 and 1982 the series was named Winston Pro Series , reverting to Camel brand in 1983. In 1976 dirt track engines were limited to

646-461: The displacement penalty for overhead valve engines; in dirt track events brakes were permitted for the first time. Mann would win a second crown for BSA in 1971 before the British motorcycle industry collapsed in the face of stiff technological competition from Japanese manufacturers. In 1973, Yamaha's Kenny Roberts would win the first Grand National championship for a Japanese company. Since 1973

680-692: The financially troubled World of Outlaws touring series in 2001, and took the company public in October 2003 as Boundless Motorsports Inc. Kruger proceeded to purchase Dirt Motorsports, a New York state based sanctioning and promotional company that operated touring series, as well as owned or controlled management of the Canandaigua Speedway , Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown NY, Rolling Wheels Raceway in Elbridge NY, and

714-578: The finish line and requiring a photo finish to determine the race winner. The motorcycles in this class contain the latest in motorsport technology and will be piloted by the fastest two-wheeled athletes on dirt. The AFT Singles class is geared for cultivating young dirt track talent as riders hone their skills en route to the AFT Twins ranks. Up-and-coming competitors make their mark aboard production-based 450cc single-cylinder motorcycles offering upwards of 60 horsepower. Racing at speeds faster than 115 mph,

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748-485: The first Grand National Championship in 1954 and won the title twice more before moving on to a career in auto racing. Carroll Resweber became the first four-time champion, winning four consecutive championships for Harley-Davidson from 1958 to 1961. Since 1961 short-track events became part of the Championship; those races had a 250cc displacement limit. In the 1960s, British manufacturers seeking to bolster sales in

782-503: The high point for the championship as, other forms of motorcycle racing such as motocross and road racing began to overtake dirt tracking in popularity. Tammy Jo Kirk became the first woman to score GNC points in 1983. In 1984, Honda entered the championship and broke the Harley-Davidson stranglehold with Ricky Graham winning the championship. Honda followed with three consecutive national championships by Bubba Shobert before they withdrew in 1987, leaving Harley-Davidson once again as

816-551: The late 1970s featured engines with power in excess of what the frames and tires of the day could handle. The resulting tire spin created a style of riding more reminiscent of dirt track riding, where sliding the rear tire to one side is used as a method to steer the motorcycle around a corner. This proved to be a great advantage to American dirt track racers who were accustomed to sliding their motorcycles. As Grand Prix motorcycle racing evolved into its current MotoGP formula with electronic traction control limiting rear wheel sliding,

850-561: The manufacturers, whereas dirt track racers had to be hand-built. In 1986, the AMA recognized the changing nature of motorcycle racing by making the Grand National Championship into a dirt-track-only series; road-racing rounds were branched off into a separate championship which eventually became the AMA Superbike Championship . In that season Camel sanctioned both series which were named Camel Pro Dirt Track Series and Camel Pro Road Racing Series . In 1987 and 1988

884-512: The podium for the first time since 1972. One week later, Harley-Davidson failed to make the podium for the first time since 1987. For 2017, the Grand National Championship was rebranded as the American Flat Track Championship. Changes were also made to the classification of motorcycles, logo, race format, and rules. NBCSN will air the championship tape-delayed in prime weekend time slots and all live event coverage

918-478: The sole major manufacturer in the series. In 1984 short-track rules granted a 500cc displacement limit for four-stroke engines. In the 1970s and on into the 1980s, the Grand National Championship proved to be a fertile training ground for world champion road racers as, AMA dirt track racers such as Kenny Roberts , Freddie Spencer , Eddie Lawson and Wayne Rainey all went on to win the 500cc road racing world championship . The motorcycle road racing technology of

952-510: The sponsorship strategy changed again and the Camel Pro Series name referred to a particular series based on selected rounds from both Grand National and Superbike championships. New rules for 1987 banned two-stroke engines from dirt track races; single cylinder engines had a maximum displacement of 600cc, while twin-cylinder had a 750cc limit. Since 1989 only twin-cylinder engines were allowed in mile and half-mile events. Since 1989

986-444: The stars of tomorrow battle it out on motorcycles produced by Honda, Husqvarna, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki, Yamaha and Zaeta. As AFT Singles riders progress and set their sights on becoming an AFT Twins rider, the AFT Production Twins class gives up-and-coming athletes the opportunity to race an AFT track on a twin-cylinder race bike without competing against the heavy hitters in contention for the AFT Twins championship. This class serves as

1020-744: The two major American manufacturers of the period. During the Second World War there were no championships held between 1942 and 1945. From 1946 to 1953, the AMA Grand National Champion was crowned based on the results of a single race, the Springfield Mile held at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Racetrack . Side-valve engines had a maximum displacement of 750cc, while overhead valve engines were limited to 500cc. In 1954,

1054-508: Was awarded, although in 2007 there was a de facto champion by virtue of winning both championships. Single-cylinder engines were limited to 450cc. Since 2010 the Grand National Champion title was reinstated and awarded to the rider who scores the most combined points. New manufacturers began to enter and find success in the sport. In 2010, Ducati earned its first GNC win. On August 24, 2013, three different OEMs finished on

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1088-541: Was built by Benny Corbin and opened in 1968 as a 1/4 mile dirt oval, operating through 1969. It expanded to 3/8 mile (still dirt) in August 1969, operating through 1971. It was expanded again to 1/2 mile in February 1972. Dick Murphy bought the racetrack in 1982, and paved it in 1989. Murphy sold it in 1992, and re-purchased it in 1997, when it was converted back to dirt. The NASCAR Southeast Series had run nine races in

1122-555: Was converted back into dirt. In late 2004 the paved surface was torn up and removed and the karting track that was located inside of the asphalt track was redesigned and took over all of the former track. The 1/5 mile dirt karting track complex is known as "Volusia Karting". Murphy sold the racetrack in 2005 to DIRT Motorsports, later renamed the " World Racing Group ". In 2021, Daytona Beach Bike Week flat track events, sanctioned by American Flat Track , moved from Daytona to Volusia Speedway Park. In 2022, American Flat Track will add

1156-467: Was the premier motorcycle racing series in the United States from the 1950s up until the late 1970s. Following the 2016 season, AMA Pro Racing, the sanctioning body of the series, announced a restructured class system as well as a re-envisioning of the event format. The restructured class system consists of the AFT SuperTwins premier class, the AFT Singles class for young rising stars and later on

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