>Heartland Park Adds Two AMA GNC Professional Flat Track Series Races For 2008

The Thunder of the big twins from American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and Grand National Championship (GNC) Flat Track Racing Series returns to the Kansas heartland for the first time since 2000. Heartland Park Topeka will host two of the premier dirt series events scheduled for Friday, July 4TH and the Season Finale, Saturday, October 4TH, 2008.

To kick off the return, the truly American sport of Flat Track motorcycle racing will take center stage in a special Fourth of July Firecracker Extravaganza at Heartland Park. Then on Saturday, October 4th, the intense battle for the coveted Champion’s number one plate will be decided at Heartland Park. The Crowning of the National Champion offers fans the opportunity to be a part of history; the Championship was decided at the final race of the year for the past two years.

“We are excited to host two of AMA’s premier motorcycle races,” said Michael Casey, with Motorcycle Promotions for Heartland Park Topeka, “We look forward to celebrating the 4th of July and hosting perhaps the most important race of the year, the AMA season finale.”

Heartland Park Topeka, a multi-purpose racing facility located in Topeka, Kan. annually hosts National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) POWERade Drag Racing Series, the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) National Championship Runoffs, World of Outlaws, Championship Cup Series (CCS) / American Sportbike Racing Association (ASRA)  and many other pro and amateur dirt, drag and road racing events throughout the race season.

In 1999, Heartland Park Topeka built a temporary dirt track over the existing drag strip to host the “Coca-Cola Classic on Dirt” heralded as “The greatest show on dirt” in a paper clip configuration. Since that time, Heartland Park Topeka built a proper, standalone 3/8 mile banked oval dirt track in 2002 that has been a favorite of racer and fan alike. The new track has hosted premier dirt events such as The World of Outlaws and is now ready for AMA’s rolling thunder show.

Heartland Park Topeka has had its fair share of pro flat track racers in the past. Racers such as 7-time National Champion, Chris Carr, Jay Springsteen, Scott Parker, Bryan Smith and Mike Patterson, owner of Topeka Harley Davidson and Riverfront Harley Davidson in Lawrence, Kansas have all taken the grid at Heartland Park Topeka.

Heartland Park Topeka will open its gates to the public at 3:00 p.m. with qualifying  beginning at 4:30 p.m. Opening ceremonies are set for 7:00 p.m. with racing immediately following. The Expert Twins main event starts at 9:00 p.m. followed by the AMA main event at 9:15 p.m.

Fans can save money on advance tickets for both events. They are on sale now and can be ordered by calling 800-43-RACES or by visiting www.hpt.com.