While three of America’s leading flat track racers will compete in the fourth Troy Bayliss Classic in January, don’t expect to see them racing their thunderous 750cc Harleys and Indians.
Don’t be mistaken that having Pro AMA Flat Track stars Sammy Halbert (pictured at top on a Harley), Henry Miles and Jared Mees here for the event also means those big bikes will be on the Taree oil-based circuit.
They will actually be racing 450cc MX bikes.
Sammy Halbert on a 450We’ve been to the Troy Bayliss Classic before and the racing is fast, furious and close with plenty of spills.
But the noise of two- and four-stroke MXers simply wears a little thin after a while.
It’s a shame they can’t bring out the thunderous Harley XG750R and Indian FTR750 flat trackers, a least for a feature race.
Harley and Indian flat trackersMany of us grew up on the film On Any Sunday with its flat track segment featuring Harleys going sideways across the dirt at 100mph (160km/h).
This year that nostalgia was rekindled when Harley’s XG750R was joined on the flat track by the Indian FRT750 racer.
Check out this X Games video of Harley and Indian at war on the fat track.
https://youtu.be/yBqBADjedZE
However, if you just love racing for racing’s sake, the Troy Bayliss Classic is a brilliant event where you can get up close to the action.
Troy says his hometown track has undergone a range of improvements this year to benefit spectators and competitors.
“The Taree Motorcycle Club have done an incredible job,” Bayliss said. “There are some big improvements for spectators and the track itself is looking great.
Troy Bayliss shows his dirt track styleRemember, it is usually blisteringly hot at that time of the year in Taree and storms can come quickly, so take sunscreen, a hat and waterproof gear.
The event is being held at Taree Motorcycle Club on Saturday, January 21, 2017.
Ticket available here. Prices: Adult $35, Child (5-15 years) $16, children under 5 free, family pass $80, grandstand seating $65.