AMA Flat Track Grand Championship 2024 Program

PROUD SPONSOR PROUD SPONSOR

Du Quoin: A

The 2024 Mission Foods AMA Flat Track Grand Championship returns to Du Quoin, Ill. for another action-packed week of bar-bangin’, left-turnin’ competition. Promoted by the American Motorcyclist Association, the AMA Flat Track Grand Championship boasts fierce racing among the nation’s best amateur flat trackers.

As the premier amateur flat track event since the mid-1970s, the AMA Flat Track Grand Championship is a special fixture on the AMA’s racing schedule, and is the only event where one can earn an AMA National No. 1 plate in amateur flat track racing.

The historic Du Quoin State Fairgrounds will once again serve as the host site for this magical week of flat track racing. Offering a variety of courses, including a smooth-cushion half-mile, indoor short-track racing, an enhanced TT course and, of course, the legendary Magic Mile, the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds is the perfect venue to host the near-nonstop racing action at FTGC. With a rich history dating back to the 1920s, and since the Magic Mile’s construction in 1946, sev-

Magic Venue

eral AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers have claimed victory at the illustrious venue, including Ricky Graham, Scott Parker, Bubba Shobert and Chris Carr.

In addition to the exciting amateur action during the weeklong event, American Flat Track will hold its own Mile race on Saturday, July 6, following the conclusion of the Mission Foods AMA Flat Track Grand Championship. With the nation’s best flat trackers — including Jared Mees, Dallas Daniels and Briar Bauman, to name a few — competing on the famous Magic Mile, it’ll be an event you won’t want to miss.

While the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds boasts a rich history in the world of flat track racing, the 2024 Mission Foods AMA Flat Track Grand Championship is all about identifying the next generation of legends in the sport.

Whether you’re here to compete for AMA National No. 1 plates or to bask in the spirit of fierce competition, be sure to stay informed about all of the FTGC happenings through this program!

While the Mission Foods AMA Flat Track Grand Championship serves as the coronation of the sport’s next generation, current American Flat Track stars and Grand Slam winners Briar Bauman, Dallas Daniels and Jared Mees will serve as this year’s Grand Marshals.

As the only three active racers to achieve a grand slam — collecting professional victories on Half-Mile, Mile, Short Track and TT tracks — during their flat track careers, and their status as former Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award winners, the trio of Bauman, Daniels and Mees represent the necessary speed and determination to contend at the highest level of the sport. They will be on-site during the week to help celebrate the future stars of the sport.

“Not only are Briar, Dallas and Jared as quick as lightning on a dirt track, they’re also terrific role models for the

DANIELS

BAUMAN MEES

GRAND MARSHALS

BRIAR BAUMAN DALLAS DANIELS AND JARED MEES

up-and-coming generation of flat trackers,” AMA Track Manager Ken Saillant said. “We cannot wait to welcome them back to Du Quoin and to have them help us ring in another great year of amateur flat track racing.”

During his illustrious flat track career, Bauman has captured a pair of AFT Championships, but the Salinas, Calif., native got his start at the AMA Flat Track Grand Championship. As the 2010 Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award winner, Bauman transitioned into the professional ranks just one year later and has maintained a consistent level of success. Daniels raced to a fast start to his professional racing career, winning two AFT Singles championships across his first three seasons at the top level of the sport. Completing his Grand Slam just a month after turning 20, Daniels is the youngest racer to complete the feat.

Since winning the 2001 Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award, Mees has emerged as one of the greatest competitors the sport has ever seen. A two-time Grand Slam winner, completing the feat both in the 2017 and 2018 seasons, while capturing many Grand National Championships — including each of the last three AFT SuperTwins titles — Mees’ illustrious racing career is arguably one of the greatest of all-time.

RACE SCHEDULE

DU QUOIN GATE HOURS

GATE OPENING TIMES ON SATURDAY, JUNE 29:

> Gate 3 will be open 24 hours for camping (contact Du Quoin State Fairgrounds for camping details and to confirm arrival time for RV hook-up: 618-542-1515)

> Main Gate will be open 24 hours unless closed for racing (see race times below)

Saturday, June 29

3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Competitor Registration/Check-In: SIC Building

sunday, June 30

7 a.m. – 9 a.m.

Rider Registration/Mandatory Check-in: Half-Mile Track

8 a.m. – 10 a.m. Tech Inspection: Half-Mile Pit/Paddock

8:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Mandatory Rider’s Briefing: Announcer’s Tower

8:50 a.m.

9 a.m.

Half-Mile: Track Inspection (Race Direction Team)

Half-Mile: Amateur Classes – Practice Begins with Racing to Follow

30 Min. Post Racing Half-Mile: Amateur Classes – Awards Presentation: Half-Mile Podium

Monday, July 1

7 a.m. – 9 a.m.

Rider Registration/Mandatory Check-in: Half-Mile Track

8 a.m. – 10 a.m. Tech Inspection: Half-Mile Pit/Paddock

8:15 a.m – 8:45 a.m

8:50 a.m.

9 a.m.

30 Min. Post Racing

Tuesday, July 2

7 a.m. – 9 a.m.

Mandatory Rider’s Briefing: Announcer’s Tower

Half-Mile: Track Inspection (Race Direction Team)

Half-Mile: Youth/Vet/Sr. Classes – Practice Begins with Racing to Follow

Half-Mile: Youth/Vet/Sr. Classes – Awards Presentation: TT Podium

Rider Registration/Mandatory Check-in: TT Track

8 a.m. – 10 a.m. Tech Inspection: TT Pit/Paddock

8:15 a.m – 8:45 a.m Mandatory Rider’s Briefing: Announcer’s Tower

8:50 a.m. TT: Track Inspection (Race Direction Team)

9 a.m. TT: Amateur Classes – Practice Begins with Racing to Follow

30 Min. Post Racing TT: Amateur/Vet Classes – Awards Presentation: TT Podium

7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Rider Cookout sponsored by Mission Foods, Vinson Construction, and Roof Systems: Pavilion

RACE SCHEDULE

Wednesday, July 3

7 a.m. – 9 a.m. Rider Registration/Mandatory Check-in: TT Track

8 a.m. – 10 a.m. Tech Inspection: TT Pit/Paddock

8:15 a.m – 8:45 a.m Mandatory Rider’s Briefing: Announcer’s Tower

8:50 a.m. TT Track: Track Inspection (Race Direction Team)

9 a.m. TT Track: Youth/Vet/Sr. Classes – Practice Begins with Racing to Follow

30 Min. Post Racing TT Track: Youth/Vet/Sr. Classes – Awards Presentation: Short Track Podium

2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Rider Registration/Mandatory Check-in: SIC Building

3 p.m. – 5 p.m. Tech Inspection: Short Track Pit/Paddock

3:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Mandatory Rider’s Briefing: Short Track Entrance

3:50 p.m.

4 p.m.

Short Track: Track Inspection (Race Direction Team)

Short Track: Amateur Classes – Practice Begins with Racing to Follow

30 Min. Post Racing Short Track: Amateur Classes – Awards Presentation: Short Track Podium

Thursday, July 4

7 a.m. – 9 a.m.

Rider Registration/Mandatory Check-in: SIC Building

8 a.m. – 10 a.m. Tech Inspection: Short Track Pit/ Paddock

8:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Mandatory Rider’s Briefing: Short Track Entrance

8:50 a.m.

9 a.m.

Short Track: Track Inspection (Race Direction Team)

Short Track: Youth/Vet/Sr. –Practice Begins with Racing to Follow

30 Min. Post Racing Short Track: Youth/Vet/Sr. – Awards Presentation: Short Track Podium

2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Rider Registration/Mandatory Check-in: SIC Building

3 p.m. – 5 p.m. Tech Inspection: Short Track Pit/Paddock

3:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Mandatory Rider’s Briefing: Short Track Entrance

3:50 p.m.

4 p.m.

Short Track: Track Inspection (Race Direction Team)

Short Track: Youth Classes Only –Practice Begins with Racing to Follow

30 Min. Post Racing Short Track: Youth Classes Only –Awards Presentation: Short Track Podium

Friday, July 5

7 a.m. – 9 a.m.

Rider Registration/Mandatory Check-in: Mile Track

8 a.m. – 10 a.m. Tech Inspection: Mile Pit/Paddock

8:15 a.m – 8:45 a.m Mandatory Rider’s Briefing: Mile Entrance

8:50 a.m.

9 a.m.

Mile: Track Inspection (Race Direction Team)

Mile: Amateur/Vet/Sr. – Practice Begins with Racing to Follow

30 Min. Post Racing Mile: Amateur/Vet/Sr. – Awards Presentation: Mile Podium

SPECIAL AWARDS

While the competition for AMA National No. 1 plates will be fierce, racers will also be battling for a collection of prestigious awards that recognize the entire body of work produced by each racer throughout the week. Special awards to be presented after the Mission Foods AMA Flat Track Grand Championship include:

Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award

The most prestigious racing award given at AMA FTGC, the Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award honors the legacy and success of AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Nicky Hayden while recognizing the amateur racer poised to make a significant impact at the professional level.

AMA Bill Werner Fast Brain Award

The AMA Bill Werner Fast Brain Award recognizes both speed and smarts and is awarded based on a racer’s performance at the event, as well as official school transcripts supplied when applying. The winner of this award earns a scholarship toward future academic endeavors.

AMA Vet/Senior Racer of the Year

This award is presented to the standout rider in the vet racing ranks.

AMA Youth Racer of the Year

This award is presented to the top youth-class rider during the event.

TOP CONTENDERS

Kage Tadman Salinas, Calif., No. 28

PRO GOALS: To become a National Grand Champion!

Walker Porter Athens, Ala., No. 10

PRO GOALS: Win the “Rookie of the Year” award and become a Grand National Champion!

Jaymes Arnaiz Stockton, Calif., No. 27

PRO GOALS: My goals in my AMA professional flat track racing career will be making all the mains and staying healthy which is a big goal, and if I’m able to do that I would like to be in competition for the rookie of the year award in the AFT singles class.

Tyler Cunningham Coatesville, Pa., No. 2A

PRO GOALS: To make a main event, finish top 10 within the singles class, and win rookie of the year.

Dylan Cunningham Coatesville, Pa., No. 5A

PRO GOALS: Make a pro main, and run for rookie of the year, future goals is to run for the championship.

SPECIAL THANKS!

MISSION FOODS

Title Sponsor

The Mission Foods AMA Flat Track Grand Championship would not be possible without the generosity of our sponsors. The AMA extends its gratitude to all our partners for their help in making this year’s event another success!

Special thanks to Mission Foods, Roof Systems, Vinson Construction and Motion Pro for their outstanding support of this year’s event.

The AMA is also grateful for the generous contributions from Estenson Racing and Zanotti Racing for their patronage toward the AMA Bill Werner Fast Brain Award.

Thank you to all the racers, family members, mechanics, volunteers, racing officials and spectators for being a part of the 2024 Mission Foods AMA Flat Track Grand Championship! We hope to see you all next year!

TIM ESTENSON

DAVE ZANOTTI

EVENT MAP