American Flat Track has released its provisional dates for 2023 and the schedule looks good to us. The headlines are:
18 rounds
Everything over by the end of the Labor Day weekend (the first weekend in September). Six weeks earlier than the end of the 2022 season.
Five miles, five half-miles, four short tracks, three TTs, (and one event still to be announced)
New venues: Senoia, GA, Bridgeport NJ; Ventura Short Track, CA.
DuQuoin Mile. Regarded as one of the best riders track there is, but hasn't been on the schedule for fear of low crowd numbers.
Buffalo Chip returns.
Sac Mile in mid-May to hopefully miss the hellish heat.
Castle Rock TT back after its 2022 success (pictured above)
Volusia is the big loser - two double headers in 2022, to no races in '23.
Season ends at Springfield, a race promoted by the Mees. Double pressure?
THE SCHEDULE
March 9 - DAYTONA Flat Track I, Daytona Beach, FL
March 10 - DAYTONA Flat Track II, Daytona Beach, FL
March 25 - Senoia Short Track, Senoia, GA
April 1 - Arizona Bike Week (Venue TBA), Phoenix, AZ
April 22 - Devil’s Bowl Half-Mile, Mesquite, TX
May 6 - Ventura Short Track, Ventura, CA
May 13 - Sacramento Mile, Sacramento, CA
May 27 - Red Mile, Lexington, KY
June 3 - Virginia Half-Mile (Venue TBA), VA
June 17 - Du Quoin Mile, Du Quoin, IL
June 24 - Lima Half-Mile, Lima, OH
July 8 - Orange County Half-Mile, Middletown, NY
July 22 - Bridgeport Half-Mile, Bridgeport, NJ
July 30 - Peoria TT, Peoria, IL
August 6 - Buffalo Chip TT, Sturgis, SD
August 12 - Castle Rock TT, Castle Rock, WA
September 2 - Springfield Mile I, Springfield, IL
September 3 - Springfield Mile II, Springfield, IL
Photo: Kristen Lassen/AFT