Progressive American Flat Track is America’s Original Extreme Sport as well as the guardian of the Grand National Championship series, formally established in 1954 but with roots reaching back to motorcycling’s original speed demons of a century ago.

At its core, professional flat track racing is a hyper-competitive, adrenaline-fueled American motorcycle sport featuring custom-built and production-based motorcycles reaching top speeds of 140 mph on the straights and 90 mph in the corners, all piloted by world-class athletes.

Progressive American Flat Track is widely recognized as the most prestigious and competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing in the world. Much has changed over 100 years, but the sport remains perhaps motorsport’s purest test of man and machine.

Over the decades, many of the world’s best motorcycle racers have emerged from America’s dirt track venues – legends like original Indian Wrecking Crew members Bill Tuman, Bobby Hill, and Ernie Beckman during the 1950s, Gary Nixon and Dick Mann in the 1960s, Kenny Roberts, Eddie Lawson, and Wayne Rainey during the ’70s and ’80s, and Nicky Hayden in the ’90s and 2000s. All were superb flat track racers – several of them Grand National Champions – and many used the skills they first developed on the dirt to revolutionize Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing and attain global superstardom.

Today’s series consists of three classes – Mission AFT SuperTwins, AFT Singles presented by KICKER, and AFT AdventureTrackers™.

The premier Mission AFT SuperTwins class consists of production-based twin-cylinder motorcycles (649 - 900cc), utilizing the latest in motorsport technology and piloted by an exclusive company of the fastest athletes on dirt.

The AFT Singles presented by KICKER class consists of production-based 450cc off-road machines specially prepared for flat track competition.

And the AFT AdventureTrackers, which made its high-profile debut in the Streets of Downtown Sturgis last season, features near-stock Dual Adventure bikes piloted by riders from a diverse set of racing backgrounds.

As part of the sport's historic formula, competitors are required to master the skills of racing on four distinct types of race circuits, Mile, Half-Mile, Short Track, and TT (Tourist Trophy). Mile, Half-Mile and Short Track races are conducted on specially-prepared oval tracks, with either flat or banked surfaces, while TT circuits have both right and left hand turns plus a jump:

Mile

Generally located at state fairgrounds or horse racing facilities, Mile races often turn into barnburners with packs of riders drafting at speeds exceeding 140 mph, lap-after-lap to the finish line.

Half-Mile

Half-Miles have been the most common circuits on the schedule throughout the history of the sport. Many Half-Miles are purpose-built racetracks which play host to a wide variety of motorcycle and automobile dirt track racing organizations.

Short Track

Short Tracks feature quick laps and fierce battles, sometimes described as being like "a fist fight in a phone booth." Starts and aggression are often the critical factors that determine the results on a short track.

TT

TT circuits can be either purpose-built race courses or temporary in nature. Ultimately, they all require riders to master both right- and left-hand turns and negotiate a jump at least once per lap.

Professional flat track racing is currently experiencing a significant rebirth, much of which can be credited to changes instituted in 2017: a name change, a simpler class structure, and a significantly boosted media presence that has helped attract millions of new viewers. A continued refinement of the rules and structure have followed in recent years to further capitalize on the sport’s enormous potential.

And in some significant ways, 2025 marks the beginning of a new era for the Grand National Championship. The Mission AFT SuperTwins class has moved to an all-production based ruleset just as an elite crop of contenders prepare to vie for the throne left vacant by the retirement of Jared Mees following the 2024 season that saw him secure a record-setting tenth premier-class crown in his final season of competition.

This battle for supremacy will open with five consecutive bar-banging Short Tracks, starting with the series’ traditional Daytona Beach double opener during the 84th annual Daytona Bike Week. The schedule then transitions to a run through the Midwest, including a doubleheader in Lima, Ohio, and a high-speed showdown at the “Magic Mile” in DuQuoin, Illinois.

The Sturgis TT will serve as a highlight of the schedule again in ‘25, and this time around it will be joined by an all-new doubleheader – the Jackpine Gypsies Short Track I & II – which will also take place in Sturgis during the 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, just days ahead of Sunday’s TT.

The season’s stretch run will feature its two most iconic events – the world-famous 78th Peoria TT and a doubleheader at the legendary Springfield Mile – before returning to Lake Ozark Speedway for a season finale set during the 19th Annual Lake of the Ozarks Bikefest.

The upcoming season will see further innovation via the introduction of the Triple Challenge format that will be utilized at the Lima Half-Mile I, Jackpine Gypsies Short Track I and Springfield Mile I, in which the overall winner and final points payout will be determined by three races of increasing distance and importance.

America’s oldest and purest form of motorcycle sport is back on the radar, making that thunderous noise we all love, and it’s certain to continue in 2025. The momentum created over the past eight years has Progressive American Flat Track well positioned to take the next step in its meteoric rise, spearheaded by the Mission AFT SuperTwins class.

Mission AFT SuperTwins

Mission AFT SuperTwins was engineered with the specific intent of building the profile of the stars of the sport, dramatically increasing visibility for teams and manufacturers and driving ROI for the sponsors that support their competition efforts. Successfully packaging the premier Progressive AFT class as the best flat track racing in the world and as a scalable national professional sports league allows all key stakeholders (teams, OEMs, riders, partners, broadcasters and fans) to enjoy the benefits.

As expected, Mission AFT SuperTwins immediately took shape as an intense battleground, stacked with world-class riders down the order. That intensity took another step forward following a rulebook recalibration intended to further level the playing field that saw living legend Jared Mees, rising superstar Dallas Daniels, two-time Grand National Champion, and perennial frontrunner Brandon Robinson battle for top honors with Indian Motorcycle, Yamaha, and KTM all claiming multiple wins on the season. The competition expects to be that much closer in ‘25 and beyond with the shift to more streamlined and better balanced regulations.

AFT Singles presented by KICKER

AFT Singles presented by KICKER has long shone a spotlight on Progressive AFT’s next generation of stars. It’s also become a battleground for some of the sport’s more established stars as its importance to the manufacturers has increased over the years, further raising the bar for all involved. Like Mees, the class’ reigning champion Kody Kopp has moved on, setting the stage for scramble to claim the vacated #1 plate.

AFT AdventureTrackers

The AFT AdventureTrackers return for its second season with an expanded schedule in ’25. Building on the class’ highly successful 2024 debut, it will be featured at all three Sturgis events, along with the Peoria TT. The category’s basic ruleset centers on production-based race bikes that remain as close to street stock as is feasible, allowing these supremely versatile machines to showcase the inherent capabilities of the bikes when piloted by professional racers, all while minimizing costs.

The degree of machinery diversity in Progressive American Flat Track is astounding and bound to grow even greater in the coming years.

Boil it all down and you’re left with this single, undeniable fact: There really is nothing like Progressive American Flat Track. Anywhere.