AMA Pro Racing has recently entered in to an agreement with the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, to become the Official “Spec” tire for the AMA Pro Racing Grand National Championship Flat Track Series.

The terms of this agreement will require that the Goodyear CD-8 rear tire, will be the exclusive tire for AMA Pro Racing, Grand National Championship events. However, as a consideration to Goodyear, which has maintained a supply of CD-5 tires, AMA Pro Racing will allow the CD-5 to be used at the first three events of the 2009 schedule, which include the two Short Track events in Daytona Beach, Florida, on March 4 & 5, and the TT event, in Springfield, IL, on May 23.

JR Schnabel, National Number 33 on the AMA Grand National Flat Track Series is making some serious moves to be a threat for the #1 plate in 2009.

Schnabel is the only rider which has ridden factory-backed equipment from Harley-Davidson, Yamaha and Suzuki. Earning Rookie of the Year title in 1996, he is also a rider which can be a threat on any track at any time with 1-Half Mile, 4-Short Track and 4-TT Grand National Wins to his credit. Still looking for his first Mile win, JR has had several podium finishes and feels 2009 can be his season.

Schnabel will once again be racing with the Memphis Shades Team with legend tuner Babe Demay providing his experience to one of the best all-around and likeable riders on the series. Schnabel raced for Memphis Shades and Demay in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 with more wins than any other time in his career.

Jennifer Sierzega, editor of www.flattracktoday.com had a chance to speak with Schnabel about his past, present and future flat track plans.

Hall-of-Fame tuner and Pennsylvania dealership will
 help Lewis in his return to full-time flat track racing

Coatesville, Penn. (January 29, 2009) – Famed tuner Bill Werner and Coopersburg, Pennsylvania-based Scott Powersports will support Johnny Lewis in the 2009 AMA Pro Flat Track Championship. Werner Racing/Kawasaki will provide race motor work and bike set-up assistance, while Scott Powersports is giving equipment support and on-site mechanical assistance.
 
After three full years on the AMA Supermoto Championship circuit, Lewis is making his full-time return to dirt track racing. This is where he cut his racing teeth on the dirt ovals and TTs across the country. Near the end of his impressive amateur career, Lewis grabbed the attention of Mitch Hansen from HMC Racing to become one of his Factory KTM racers in Supermoto. Lewis is a five-time AMA Sports Dirt Track Champion, is a former AMA Sports Athlete of the Year, holds more than 55 regional dirt track championships, and is the youngest racer to ever win in the AMA Supermoto Unlimited Class.

Karst Motorsports, Wyoming’s premier power sports dealer has inked a deal to be the title sponsor for Jake Latimer in the 2009 AMA flattrack racing series.

" I have been a fan of flattrack for a very long time" owner Don Higbee says. " I have had the pleasure of watching Jake come through the ranks as a flattracker for many years, and we are proud to be associated with him and his program in 2009" Don an accomplished racer in his own right has spent many years racing flattrack, TT, and cross country circuits aboard atv's.

The team will be equipped 3 with brand new Yamaha YZ 450 platforms. And will be chasing the number 1 plate in the new Pro flattrack class.

The team will be joined in the pits, and traveling with Illinois GNC flattrack sensation and "FBI" member national number 27 Rob "Bugs" Pearson. Also on board for the crew will be National number 10 Dan Stanley, Rob Pearson Sr., Frank Latimer, and Don Higbee.