DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The American Flat Track season resumes this weekend as the series arrives in Perris, Calif., for the So-Cal Half-Mile presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys on Saturday.
The year’s AFT Twins presented by Vance & Hines title campaign has already enjoyed considerable parity, as a different rider has stood atop the podium in each of the season’s four Main Events. Yet no premier class pilot has been as consistently excellent as championship leader Briar Bauman, the only rider to finish on the AFT Twins podium each time out.
As strong as his form has been, however, the extraordinarily deep field features numerous others – such as Bauman’s younger brother and Indian Wrecking Crew teammate, Bronson Bauman – with the potential to step forward on the Southern California Fairgrounds’ clay Half-Mile and make it five different winners in five races.
Meanwhile, Dalton Gauthier enters this weekend’s Roof Systems AFT Singles presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys with the early points lead on the strength of four top-fives, including a win and a pair of runner-up finishes.
Gaulthier will be expected to contend up front again this weekend, but there’s no shortage of checkered flag contenders on the undercard either. The AFT Singles class produced ten different winners a year ago, and this year’s grid boasts the depth to duplicate or exceed that lofty number.
Chief among the riders still looking for a first victory this season is third-ranked Mikey Rush, who’ll have a bit of extra motivation to perform well in front of his home state fans.
While Shayna Texter already has one victory to her name this season, she needs to string together as many Half-Mile and Mile wins as possible in order to boost her titles hopes in light of her continued TT struggles.
If Texter is able to win again Saturday night, she and her older brother, Cory Texter, could be in line to double up on their unprecedented achievement when the siblings both won their respective class’ Main Events at the Texas Half-Mile earlier this year. Cory is looking to open the AFT Productions Twins season two for two as the category picks back up for round two of 11 this weekend.
The action-packed So-Cal Half-Mile will also play host to the Super Hooligan series and provide a variety of entertainment options off track, such as live music, vendors and displays, and STACYC Stability Cycle demo rides and races for kids.