| May 3, 2022
After the success of the 2021 Mission Foods Fall Classic held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Flat Track Futures extended its racing schedule for 2022 to eight events within Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. In efforts to continue the growth and support of the Flat Track Futures Series, six of the Flat Track Futures events this season will give riders the opportunity to win AMA State Championships within three different states. There will be three rounds in the Pennsylvania Championship chase, two rounds in New York, and a standalone event in New Jersey, resulting in AMA PA State Champions, AMA NY State Champions and AMA NJ State Champions.
In order to get racers on some of the best racetracks in the Northeast, Flat Track Futures is partnering with AMA District 6, Baer Promotions, Piston Poppers MC, Crusaders Motorcycle Club, and Square Deal Riders Club. Flat Track Futures Series has also been able to gain over $121,875 in OEM contingency support from KTM, Husqvarna and Honda for the 2022 season for its Youth, Amateur and Pro racers.
On Saturday, April 30, racers took part in round one of the points-paying, three-race chase of the AMA Pennsylvania State Championship at the Gratz Half Mile. The Flat Track Futures-supported event run by AMA District 6/Baer Promotions, saw a strong rider count that was up from the previous year.
Story by Johnny Lewis | Photos by Jodi Johnson
Starting the day off was young Jayden McAllister on his Cobra, taking a demanding win the 0-51cc Unlimited class over Jaxon Taylor and Jimmy Ballard. Racing heated up in the 85cc (9-15) main event, with Adam Costan taking the win over Brandon Ramsel, with Matthew Bertola settling into third.
In the 0-51cc Limited class, spectators got to witness an early battle between Jaxon Taylor and Cruise Texter. Taylor would break away, leaving Texter to battle it out with Jimmy Ballard. On the last lap, Ballard made the pass and would hold on to second, with Texter grabbing a solid third.
Once again, it was a 1-2 finish for Adam Costan and Brandon Ramsel in the Super Mini 85-125cc class. But the real battle of the race was between Meghan Greimel and Gabby Pfanders. Going into turn three on the last lap, Pfanders made her move and took over third place from Greimel, holding the position all the way to the checkered. The final youth class to run was the 65cc (7-11), which saw Bryson Hazel and his Yamaha getting an early lead and never looking back. Kawasaki-mounted Jace Dimatteo rode to a solid second with Aiden Gochenour and his Cobra landing in third.
The second half of the day brought out the big bikes on the Gratz Half Mile, where the riders hit speeds of nearly 100 mph on the track. It was Ryder Reese taking the 250 B win on his KTM over Aaden Johnson and Cole Jose. The 250 Sportsman saw Bradon Pfanders grabbing the holeshot and never looking back. Reese battled with Jose, making the pass for second down the front straightaway on the last lap.
For the 2022 season, Bradon Pfanders has made the jump to the 450 Sportsman B class. The 2021 Fall Classic 250 B AMA PA State Champion Pfanders took the win over Jacob Peacock and Cole Jose. In the 450 Sportsman Pro A, Flat Track Futures-supported class, it was 14-year-old Evan Renshaw winning the main event over American Flat Track racers Brandon Newman, Logan McGrane, Damon Ream and Colton Smith.
Racing in the Northeast is well known for its Vet 30+ class, to no surprise the class was stacked. Two former American Flat Track racers Raun Wood and Ricky Winsett Jr. battled it out like they have for over the last two decades with Wood taking the win. Corey Jones rounded out the podium.