Dunlop will continue to be a feature sponsor of the 2021 GNCC racing series, providing support to all 2-wheel racers at all 13 rounds. Additionally, it is increasing its GNCC contingency program to over $250,000 to provide racers with the opportunity to earn "Dunlop Dollars" - these can be applied towards the purchase of Dunlop Geomax tires and be redeemed at GNCC events through Gear Racewear/MotoTees. Payouts will vary from class to class, with most classes eligible, and contingencies will be available to riders posting up to 10th place, subject to class. Dunlop says it is the largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in the U.S.A.
E3 Spark Plugs has renewed its sponsorship with AFT and will remain The Official Spark Plug of American Flat Track racing for the 2021 season. The edge-to-edge design of E3's patented electrode design technology is said to "get the flame to the piston as quickly and efficiently as possible, delivering the spark directly toward the air-fuel mixture inside the engine's combustion chamber. The result is a maximized burn, increased performance and reduced emissions."
Beaverton Motorcycles (BMC) Racing will be the title sponsor for No. 67 Davis Fisher in the 2021 Progressive American Flat Track Mission SuperTwins class. Bob Lanphere Jr., President of the Lanphere Auto Group, said: "This decision shows the commitment BMC Racing continues to have in many areas of motorcycle racing. We are proud to be associated with Davis and to provide title sponsorship as he competes in AFT's premier class." Bob Lanphere's Beaverton Motorcycles opened in 1964, and BMC Racing has supported Fisher's racing for 14 years.
Red Bull KTM announced a two-rider line-up for the 2021 AFT Singles Championship. Returning for her third season with the team, 19-time AFT Singles winner Shayna Texter-Bauman will line up on the KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition alongside new teammate and 2020 AFT Singles runner-up Max Whale.
'Sideburn' is to continue as the official magazine of American Flat Track (AFT) racing for the 2021 season. "The UK-based publication has continued to grow and evolve since first launching back in 2008 with a fanzine approach. While its ambition has continually expanded and its release frequency increased, it has maintained the original grassroots attitude, depth of knowledge and arresting style that instantly separated 'Sideburn' from mainstream motorcycle media," said Progressive AFT CEO Michael Lock.
AFT has announced that Whelen Engineering will continue to serve as the Official Safety Lights of Progressive AFT for a fifth consecutive season in 2021. "In that capacity, Whelen (founded in 1952) will continue to deploy its superior safety light technology at all series' events. As part of its original agreement with AFT, Whelen developed a next-generation start-line solution specifically for the series to signal the opening of each race."
Dunlop Motorcycle Tires has extended its official tire support for AFT racing and is continuing the successful Team Dunlop Elite Flat Track program to support amateur racers. In addition to being the Official Tire of AFT for the fifth year, Dunlop will continue to expand its Elite MX program into flat track racing, with select amateur racers receiving unique benefits and support on and off the track. All amateur flat track racers can secure discounts on their Dunlop tires.
AFT has announced that Colorado based craft ale specialist New Belgium Brewing's Voodoo Ranger will continue as the series' Official Beer in 2021 after a successful first year partnership in 2020. New Belgium Brewing was originally conceived of on two wheels, dreamed up by co-founders Kim Jordan and Jeff Lebesch during what must have been a most enjoyable bicycle tour across Belgium in 1988! "With its core mission to make world-class beer for everyone, do right by people, inspire positive change and have a ton of fun along the way, New Belgium Brewing and Progressive AFT make for ideal partners," according to AFT CEO Michael Lock.
G&G Racing and Cory Texter will team up for the third consecutive season in AFT to contend the Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines title. After winning the inaugural 2019 AFT Production Twins championship with G&G Racing, Texter finished runner-up in 2020 with four wins and 11 total podium finishes. In 2021, Texter will again be riding the Yamaha MT-07, with added support from Mission Foods and Roof Systems of Dallas, Texas.
AFT has announced Klotz Synthetic Lubricants as the series' Official Lubricant for the 2021 season. Founded in 1959 by John C. Klotz Jr., when he developed the original "Special Formula" synthetic lubricant, the business is still based at Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Eying retirement after 60 years operating his oil company, he recently announced sale of the business to his friends John and Barbara Gorman, owners of Cometic Gasket (Concord, Ohio), who are themselves the Official Gasket of AFT racing.
Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MSNW, Electrek, electricmotorcycles.news, RideApart.com, Motor1.com, Cycle World, motorbikewriter.com
