Aussie Flat Track Nationals – Rounds Six & Seven Preview
It’s all on the line as the Yamaha BLU CRU Aussie Flat Track Nationals wraps up this weekend, with rounds six and seven held at Gunnedah’s Balcary Park on November 15 and 16. All eyes will be on 36 year-old Tom Armstrong who will attempt to seal the 2025 Pro450 crown on his first attempt.
Tom Armstrong – Image by RbMotoLens
Armstrong, who performed strongly with two race wins at his home Griffith round last time out, sits 110 points clear of second-placed Thomas Herrick. Sitting third in the points and hoping for more race wins is Gunnedah’s own Daniel Wicks who took a round win at Albury, marking the highlight of his season so far.
Also on hand will be Griffith teen sensation Billy Ryan, two-time champion Michael Kirkness and ASBK Superbike star Cam Dunker.
The action will be non-stop with eight races scheduled for each class utilising the classic AFTN double-header format, where competitors race the flat-track course on Saturday before switching to the TT course on Sunday.
The premier Pro 450 class will be one of five taking to the track with Junior Lites set to go down to the wire where Jed Fyffe holds a slim 17-point buffer over Neiko Donovan. The pair have traded blows all season but they will be joined by rising international star Sam Drane at Gunnedah.
Beau Baker – Image by RbMotoLens
In Junior 85s Beau Baker has been the dominant force and is favourite for the title but he will be challenged by Hugo Holmes who has recently returned from injury.
Sam Hollands looks to seal the Clubman Open crown while Ashley Wilesmith leads the way on his Ducati Scrambler in Pro Twins.
The crowd will be in for a treat, however, with Luke Gough entered to ride the legendary Indian FTR750 in what is believed to be the first Australian appearance for this motorcycle in competition.
Tom Armstrong – Pro 450 leader
“This is a monster weekend for me. I’m pretty excited and nervous at the same time! We’ve put ourselves in a good position coming into the last two rounds; I’ve been doing plenty of training and lots of riding since the Griffith round. I just want to have a clean weekend, play it smart and not do anything silly. I like the Gunnedah track, but the last time I rode there was nineteen years ago! It’ll be good to see it all done and hopefully I’m in a happy place on Sunday evening!”
Tom Armstrong – Image by RbMotoLens
Dave Maddock – Series Organiser
“It’s great to be heading back to Gunnedah for the final round of the Yamaha Blu Cru Aussie Flat Track Nationals series, the club and local community are incredibly supportive and Balcary Park always provides edge-of-your-seat action. Tom Armstrong was predicted to be fast before the lights went out for this season, but I don’t think anybody could of expected him to be in prime position to take out the title, least of all himself! It’s been a pleasure having him on board this year but the series isn’t over – it’s a long schedule of 28 races, anything can happen. Junior Lites will be an absolute thriller this weekend, Jed Fyffe and Neiko Donovan are two stars of the future and it’s fitting their rivalry goes down to the final weekend. Beau Baker has been an absolute force in Junior 85s but it has also been great to see some worthy challengers in Jye French, Flynn Beard and Lucy Heaton-New. The Pro Twin class will also be in action at Gunnedah on the flat track course and I can’t wait to see the Indian FTR 750 in the flesh. That bike took 101 race wins from 135 starts in American Flat Track. Last year the crowd was fantastic at Gunnedah, we’re crossing our fingers for some kind weather and we can’t wait to see the outcome on Sunday afternoon.”
Gunnedah AFTN Event Schedule
Saturday November 15 – Round 3: Flat Track
9am: Practice & Qualifying
10:52am: Pro 450 Superpole
11:20am: Racing underway
(Four races per class from 6 to 15 laps in length)
The MCNews web guy and geek. Keeps the website ticking over. Originally from London, UK. Loves watching racing and riding his TL1000S or R1. Drinks too much coffee, is dying for a smoke, actually is the local crazy cat lady, is a bit dyslexic, and liable to throwing hissy-fits.
