Flat track is the oldest form of motorcycle racing in the US. The sport dates back to the early 1900s and really hit its stride after World War II. In the 1970s, top American flat-trackers led by Kenny Roberts transitioned from dirt to asphalt and went on to enjoy international success. Today, many European roadracers are using flat track for training. MotoGP superstars like Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi have even built their own tracks and host races like the Superprestigio in Barcelona, Spain , and “La 100K Del Ranch ,” held in Rossi’s backyard in Italy. Another well-known rider who has elevated his flat-track game is three-time FIM Superbike World Champion Troy Bayliss . For the past three years, the 45-year-old Australian has put on the Troy Bayliss Classic, which attracts top racers from around the world. Last year, Bayliss won his own event, beating AMA Pro Flat Track regulars Sammy Halbert and Henry Wiles. This time around, the tables turned: Reigning Grand National Champion Jared Mees won the race, and Bayliss finished fourth behind Wiles and fellow Aussie Paul Caslick. Bayliss may not have taken top honors, but he did set the fastest lap of the race. I caught up with him a few days later.Are you familiar with flat track in America? Yeah, I am very familiar with flat track in the US. My first experience was with JD Beach and the Gillim family when I was over there a couple of years ago. I got to ride on a short track with them, and I used a hot shoe for the first time. I missed out riding on something fast due to rain. Throughout the Classic, I have spent time with Sammy Halbert, Henry Wiles, and Jared Mees. Good times. Why do you think so many roadracers are now using flat track for their training? I think flat track is the perfect training for roadracing. More so on the TT and tracks with a lot of grip because you get to use the front brake. With the Classic and Superprestigio, the Euro guys are stepping up their game, and flat track is on the rise. It’s great to see. Let’s talk about the Troy Bayliss Classic. How did that event get started? The Troy Bayliss Classic started three years ago. Long story short, I learned to slide at the Old Bar Circuit in Taree as a junior. My last race there before we started up the Classic was around 1984 or 1985. When we came home from Europe, the club asked if I would ride the twilight race. I did, and I had a blast. I felt young again. The next year I thought I would get on the phone and get some guys together to compete and, in a nut shell, that’s how the Classic was formed.
Would you like to race a half-mile or a mile on a twin in America? I would love to do a race in the US. Somewhere fast and with a lot of grip, where you have to use your head. I haven’t got time to go through all the stuff I need to do to race the good guys. Are there any differences in setup between American and Australian flat trackers? The bikes in the US are not much different. Maybe a bit lower and set up more stiff on certain tracks. I would say the spring rate is higher for US guys, but my bike at the Classic was sweet. On the short track, I might have liked it set up a bit lower, but we can use the front brake here and you need some height for that. Front brake is the way to go. You also participated in the Superprestigio last December. Were you satisfied with your results at that event, and what can you do to improve next year? I had a great time at the Superprestigio, but I was on holidays before. The bike was too high in the front and too soft in the rear, but I learned plenty. It was great fun catching up with guys from Euroland and meeting Brad Baker and Jared. Do you see flat track continuing to grow in popularity around the world? Flat Track is on the up. We are putting on a short-track race at Philip Island for World Superbike, and I am excited about that. We at Troy Bayliss Events are doing what we can to keep growing it. I hope it continues to rise. 
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