AMD273 April 2022 Aftermarket Moto Design 273 April 2022 | Page 22

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AFT

BRIEFS

In an all-new partnership , Sena Technologies has been named as the Official AFT Motorcycle Communication System of Progressive AFT . Established in 1998 , Sena is the global leader in Bluetooth communication solutions for motorcycle and outdoor sporting applications . Over the past quarter century , Sena has developed countless innovative solutions for motorcyclists - including rider-torider communications , mesh intercom technology , smart helmets , integrated cameras and phone and GPS pairing - which have made the shared experience of riding both safer and more enjoyable .
California based tools , cables and controls specialist Motion Pro , Inc . is continuing with its race contingency program for the 2022 AFT season . The company is offering a total of $ 25,500 for year-end championship contingency . In the SuperTwins class , the top three in points are eligible to receive $ 5,000 for first , $ 3,500 for second and $ 2,500 for third place . A total of $ 7,250 will be available between the top five finishers in points for the Production Twins class ; and $ 7,250 is available in the Super Singles class between the top five finishers in points ; full details at motionpro . com .
Bryan Smith has been added to the AFT Management Team in the newly created role of Director of Industry Relations . He ' ll support all aspects of the Competition department , including managing rider and team relationships , new rider evaluation , track prep , safety and rules development . Smith will also be available for the series to call on as an elite-caliber test rider , whether to fine-tune the rulebook or assess the viability of potential new venues . Smith was the 2016 GNC Champion and 2012 and 2013 GNC1 Twins Champion , winning 33 races during his career and is tied for eighth on the all-time win list .
G & G Racing has announced that its partnership with Yamaha Racing will continue for a seventh season . In just the most recent three seasons , with Cory Texter as pilot , G & G Racing / Yamaha Racing has claimed two AFT Production Twins championships and 14 victories among its 27 podium finishes . Including its previous success in the premier class with JD Beach , Mikey Rush and Chad Cose at the controls , the team has collected a combined 29 podiums , 36 top fives and 50 top tens during its six-year partnership with Yamaha .

V & H AFT Production Twins Presenting Sponsor

Brandon Kitchen
Vance & Hines says it will field two riders competing in AFT racing for the 2022 season . Jesse Janisch will compete in AFT ' s Production Twins class aboard a Vance & Hines-built Harley-Davidson XG750R , and Brandon Kitchen will campaign a Husqvarna FC450 in the Singles class . Both riders will be supported by a technical team from the company ' s Racing Development Center in Brownsburg , Indiana . Janisch earned his spot on the Vance & Hines team in 2021 when he rode six races on the V & H H-D XG750R and ended the season with four trips to the podium and a win in Charlotte , Nc . His podium finishes were on two different mile tracks , a TT with his breakthrough win on the Charlotte Half-Mile - his first career win on a twin-cylinder motorcycle . Originally from West Bend , Wi ., Janisch is a veteran rider who has raced in both Twins and Singles classes for the past twelve years with a reputation for success on TT tracks . Brandon Kitchen has been considered one of the hot young stars on the AFT Singles circuit since his debut in 2020 when he won the Indy mile on a bike borrowed from Vance & Hines . The 2018 Michigan state champion had two top five finishes in 2021 after he
AFT has announced a year-over-year increase of more than $ 800,000 in available contingency awards to set a new record total for the 2022 season . Combined , riders in all three Progressive AFT classes are eligible for more than $ 3,100,000 in contingency awards . " The AFT Award Program is designed to reward teams and riders based on results in events and the championship with cash awards from companies with approved products ." At the time of writing , the total funds available for each class are as follows :
$ 1,752,850 for Mission SuperTwins presented by S & S Cycle
$ 657,200 for Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines
$ 742,650 for Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
was set back by an injury . He ended the season finishing twelfth in AFT Singles . Technical support for the program comes from experienced Vance & Hines employees based at the company ' s Racing Development Center . Craig Koontz , a 12-year Vance & Hines employee who is a long-time motorcycle rider and racer , will be Flat Track Team Manager . Koontz was involved in the company ' s H-D XR1200 road racing program from its inception . Steve Polk has a decade ' s long history of preparing racing motorcycle engines for flat track and motocross , with some of the sport ' s top teams using his handiwork on the track . He joined V & H at the time the company began developing the XG750R for Harley ; Polk takes the role of Flat Track Crew Chief . Vance & Hines has expanded its involvement in flat track racing as the presenting sponsor of AFT ’ s Production Twins class and has announced a contingency sponsorship program that makes over $ 100,000 in prize money available to AFT riders . The company has partnered with Harley-Davidson and is the only organization designated to produce the Harley-Davidson XG750R raceonly motorcycle - a turnkey solution for
" With more than $ 3,000,000 on the line in 2022 , there is no doubt that the drama and excitement will be at an all-time high at every step of the 69th season of America ' s Original Extreme Sport ," said Gene Crouch , COO of Progressive American Flat Track . " We ' d like to thank all of the partners that have pledged their support for the paddock this year . Their support amounts to a direct investment in the teams and riders that put on the incredible racing each
Jesse Janisch

$ 3m of 2022 AFT Contingency

riders wishing to compete in AFT ’ s Production Twins racing . www . vanceandhines . com
weekend , and for that we are truly thankful ." OEMs participating in the 2022 Progressive American Flat Track Contingency Award Program include Harley-Davidson , Honda , Husqvarna , Indian Motorcycle , Kawasaki , KTM and Yamaha . Other participating brands include Arai Helmet , Dunlop Motorcycle Tires , S & S Cycle , Vance & Hines , Mission Foods , Parts Unlimited , Al Lamb ' s Dallas Honda and Mobile View .
22 AFTERMARKET MOTO DESIGN - APRIL 2022 www . AMDchampionship . com