Unforecasted inclement weather has caused the postponement of the first two rounds of the 2024 Yamaha bLU cRU Aussie Flat Track Nationals (AFTN) at Appin’s Macarthur Motorcycle Club this weekend.
With all signs pointing to an incredible weekend of racing with some of Australia’s best racers primed to bang bars across both Flat Track and TT circuits, a thunderstorm arrived with sustained rain falling prior to riders briefing, delaying the event start. A mid-morning reprieve saw the Macarthur track crew and machinery back on track, with a promising outlook before yet another shower ultimately sealed the fate of the event.
A disappointed Series Organiser Dave Maddock said, “Disappointed is an understatement, and although it’s a less than ideal start to our season, I really feel for our competitors, many of whom have travelled incredible distances and at great expense to be here. However, the one thing we can’t control is the weather. Walking the circuit myself from 6 am to 6 pm Saturday and again until 9:30 am Sunday, there’s no doubt that the track was unable to handle our event program.
“I’d like to thank our officials and the Macarthur Club Flat Track team for working together under tough circumstances to make the best decision for both the riders and the event itself. All pre-paid ticket holders have been contacted and once we complete the required protocols, we’ll further update our entrants, and then announce the replacement date for our return to Appin this season,” Maddock concluded.
Greg Heatley, Macarthur Club Flat Track team, added, “We fully support the Officials hard decision to cancel this weekends AFTN race events due to the rain. It was clear that the high track standards expected of both AFTN and the Macarthur Club for a round of the National Titles could not be met and it would be a great injustice to the riders and spectators to try and run an event with sub optimal track conditions. We hope that all the riders understand, respect and appreciate the efforts and decisions made by the volunteer Officials within AFTN and the clubs involved in this prestigious series.”
The AFTN will now set sights firmly on Brisbane’s Mick Doohan Raceway where the North Brisbane Junior Motorcycle Club is set to host the series on August 31 and September 1. Two days of action-packed racing on the decomposed granite surface in the heart of Brisbane.
2024 Aussie Flat Track Nationals
Round 1: Flat Track Layout – Appin, NSW, Saturday, July 27 (Postponed)
Round 2: TT Layout – Appin, NSW, Sunday, July 28
Round 3: Flat Track Layout – Brisbane, QLD, Saturday August 31
Round 4: TT Layout – Brisbane, QLD, Sunday September 1
Round 5: Flat Track Layout – Gunnedah, NSW, Saturday November 16
Round 6: TT Layout – Gunnedah, NSW, Sunday, November 17
