With the final two rounds of the 2023 Aussie Flat Track Nationals (AFTN) descending on Gunnedah’s Balcary Park oil track this weekend, it has been confirmed that both Max Whale and Tom Drane have returned from their American Flat Track (AFT) season campaigns in the USA and will line up against Australia’s best Flat Track riders as they race to become the AFTN 2023 Champion.
After missing the first four of the six round AFTN season, the AFT regulars won’t be in the running for Pro 450 overall series honours, however, with the likes of Kirkness, Wicks, Van Eerde, Herrick, Borlase and Weale 256 points apart, with 450 points on offer, the scene is set for an intense finish to the season.
A surface unlike that raced in the US, oiled dirt offers riders incredible grip and spectacular racing, and although they may not have raced an oil track in some time, both Drane and Whale have experience at the Gunnedah circuit. With almost all classes at capacity for the season finale at one of Australia’s most iconic and unique racetracks, the final rounds of the 2023 AFTN are set to have spectators on the edge of their seats.
“It’s great to have Max and Tom back and wanting to race the last two rounds of the AFTN,” AFTN’s Dave Maddock enthused. “With both riders having strong results in the US, it’s a great opportunity for our domestic riders to understand the pace required overseas, and I can’t wait to watch the racing unfold. Mick Kirkness and Daniel Wicks are battling at the front, but Billy (Van Eerde) has been getting stronger and stronger all season, while Tom Herrick, Dale Borlase and Cyshan Weale have all shown they have the speed to be contenders. With eight races and 450 points on the table, anything can happen. I’m really happy to see the series finish with a strong contingent of riders, it gives us a lot of confidence that riders want this format of racing to showcase the incredible talent we have.”
Round five of the series will see competitors practice, qualify, and race on the flat track circuit on Saturday, November 11 before returning to the venue on Sunday the 12th for round six, where, after practice and qualifying, the final four races of the season will be held on the brand-new oiled TT circuit.
Located at Hunts Lane, Gunnedah, NSW 2380, tickets are available via event partner www.RiderSupportAustralia.com.au/events or at the gate.
Bikes on track from 9am, racing from 10:45am.
Series Leaderboards
Pro 450
1 387 Michael KIRKNESS 765
2 176 Daniel WICKS 717
3 29 Billy VAN EERDE 659
4 14 Thomas HERRICK 602
5 178 Dale BORLASE 513
6 25 Cyshan WEALE 509
7 314 Rowan TEGART 489
8 42 Jordan DALL 462
9 33 Reid BATTYE 414
10 598 Rory MCQUALTER 391
Junior Lites
1 555 Lachlan RUSSELL 795
2 87 Cooper ARCHIBALD 760
3 296 Thoren OPENSHAW 725
4 174 Bodie PAIGE 656
5 7 James WOOD 607
6 06 Hugh HOPE-HODGETTS 566
7 Cameron DUNKER 413
8 Blake FAIREY 404
9 Jayden HOLDER 294
10 William SECOMB 256
Junior 85
1 23 Jed FYFFE 863
2 2 Lenny DUGGAN 753
3 10 Lockie DUGGAN 720
4 22 Charlie NICHOLS 552
5 552 Jake PAIGE 524
6 11 William WIGGINS 500
7 12 Logan TURNER 496
8 26 Jye FRENCH 428
9 50 Aiden DIPPELSMANN 384
10 851 Levi LAYTON 359
Clubman Open
1 87 Lee HUNTER 765
2 5 Darren WEBB 760
3 261 Jason GRIFFIN 669
4 28 Neil GIRDLER 649
5 36 Darryl MALLAM 546
6 78 Rhys SANDOW 520
7 69 Luke TURNER 454
8 27 Molly FAIREY 436
9 Shane GALE 394
10 Rory HUTCHINSON 359
Pro Twins
1 49 Kristian O’DONNELL 160
2 43 Joel ELLIOTT 140
3 650 Miles ROE 132
4 66 Jamie PORTELLI 120
5 23 David SCULLARD 118
6 454 Justin STEELE 117
7 93 David BUTLER 110
8 24 Murray PEDLEY 98
9 72 Shane RICHARDS 96
10 737 Rocco NARDI 96
