The following is from the Indy Mile…
Advance sale discount tickets are now on sale for the long-awaited return of the Lucas Oil Indy Mile AMA Flat Track Grand National on the legendary one-mile dirt oval at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 East 38th St. in Indianapolis, Indiana. The event, held in conjunction with the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP weekend, will be Saturday, September 13, 2008 from 4:00pm to 10:00pm.
the Lucas Oil Indy Mile AMA Flat Track Grand National returns the “crown jewel” of the American Motorcyclist Association’s oldest and most traditional professional racing series to Indianapolis, the Racing Capital of the World. The event was a traditional part of the Indiana State Fair before being discontinued in 1999.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is bringing the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis MotoGP weekend to the city September 12-14 for one of the biggest weekends in motorcycle racing. Since 2006 MotoGP Champion Nicky Hayden and a number of past American MotoGP Champions began their racing careers in AMA Flat Track Grand National racing, interest in the revived event cross-town on the Indy Mile Flat Track is expected to be high. Fans will have the rare opportunity to experience two of the most exciting forms of motorsports in one weekend.
Gates will open at 4:00pm at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. A rider autograph session under the grandstand will be held from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. Opening ceremonies begin at 7:00pm followed by racing at 7:30pm. The Expert Twins main event is scheduled for 9:10pm followed by the AMA main racing finals at 9:30pm. Tickets are on sale now at any Ticketmaster location, www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling (317) 239-5151.
Dating to pre-World War II years, Flat Track is a uniquely American form of motorcycle racing. Riders pitch their machines sideways into the turns, inches apart from each other, at speeds of over 100 mph. Drafting on the long straights keeps the field close and provides the closest finishes in motorcycle racing. The legendary Indy Mile Flat Track is renowned for fast racing, intense drafting wars, and multiple lead changes on every lap. Often a photo finish camera is needed to reveal the winner at the end of the furious 25-lap finale.
The list of those who have won at the Indy Mile Flat Track includes many of motorcycle racing’s all-time best riders. Flat Track Grand National Champions Chris Carr, Scott Parker, Jay Springsteen, Ricky Graham, Bubba Shobert, and Kenny Roberts have all won on the Indy Mile Flat Track. AMA Flat Track racing has proven to be a fertile training ground for World Road Racing champions as well. MotoGP champions Nicky Hayden, Kenny Roberts Jr., Kevin Schwantz, Wayne Rainey, Eddie Lawson, Freddie Spencer and Kenny Roberts all got early career racing experience in Flat Track racing.
Chris Carr, 7-time AMA Grand National Flat Track Champion comments on the return of the Legendary Indy Mile Flat Track Grand National: “The Indy Mile running with the Indiana State Fair was always a favorite stop for us on the AMA Flat Track tour. Coming back to the legendary track during the MotoGP weekend in Indianapolis is going to create a new fair-like atmosphere for motorcyclists and a great race for us.”
Nicky Hayden, a former AMA Flat Track competitor and 2006 MotoGP Champion says, “I’m real excited to see the legendary Indy Mile return, and it’ll be great to see the bikes run there the weekend of the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix. My highlight of the Indy Mile was my very last race as an amateur. I won the first ever Horizon award. This is a good track, but not an easy one. It takes a fast horse and a lot of guts, and I’ve got no doubt these boys will put on a show. Believe me; you will get your money’s worth. We should see some great racing there.” Hayden is a native of nearby Owensboro, Kentucky.
Kenny Roberts won the most famous race in AMA Flat Track history on The Indy Mile in 1975. Roberts’ factory Yamaha team stuffed a high horsepower 4 cylinder, 2-stroke road race engine in a dirt track frame. In one of the wildest rides ever, Roberts clipped the strings on the hay bales for 25 miles and surprised Harley-Davidson stars Jay Springsteen and Corky Keener drafting by them at the finish line to steal the win. Afterwards, Roberts said, “They don’t pay me enough to ride that thing.” AMA officials subsequently banned the machine.
Tickets on sale now
Advance Discount tickets available at any Ticketmaster location, www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling (317) 239-5151. (Child ages: 12 and under)
Information
The latest information on the Lucas Oil Indy Mile AMA Flat Track Grand National and a schedule of events may be found at www.familyevents.com, www.amaflattrack.com, or contact Family Events by calling (317) 236-6515.
