AMA Pro Racing sanctions many racing series, but the oldest and most traditional is flat track—sometimes referred to as "dirt track"--racing. Dating back to post-World War II, flat track is the uniquely American type of motorcycle racing. Riders finesse their machines sideways through the turns, just inches apart from each other, at speeds over 100 mph. In short, motorcycle flat track racing provides one of the most thrilling spectacles in motorsports.

Today, AMA Pro flat track racing is divided into two distinct classes: the AMA Grand National Twins and the AMA Grand National Singles Championships. These classes travel under the banner of the AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship.

AMA Pro Racing also offers the National Hot Shoe series, which serves as a development platform for riders aspiring to compete at the Grand National level.

AMA Grand National Championship
History
      
Prior to 1954, the fast and smooth Springfield Mile at the Illinois State Fairgrounds was the nation's focal point for flat track racing. Although riders competed at various tracks around the country, the Springfield Mile remained as the most prestigious event -- a 25-mile race that determined the winner of the coveted AMA National Dirt Track Championship.
      
In 1954, the AMA announced the establishment of a Grand National Championship series consisting of 18 points-paying races. While the AMA Grand National Championship format was predominantly made up of flat track events, a number of road race nationals were included to show the versatility of machines and riders. As the sport grew and machinery
became more specialized, the AMA recognized the need to separate these two disciplines. In 1986, flat track and road racing became two distinct AMA Championship series.

In 1997 a group of dirt track team owners, race organizers, and AMA board and staff members developed a plan which became known as Project 2000. While the plan included new developments in broadcasting, sponsorship and marketing of AMA dirt track racing, Project 2000 also called for measures to support young competitors coming up through the ranks, and major changes in equipment rules.  The equipment rule changes were considered with the goal of bringing more manufacturers and teams into dirt track racing at the Grand National level.

In 1998, a set of guidelines for a new 1000cc engine formula were developed by a committee of racing professionals and AMA technical staff. Shortly thereafter, designers and team owners began to develop Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Ducati, and Harley-Davidson prototypes using the 1000cc formula. These prototypes were tested during the 1999-2001 race seasons as part of the AMA SuperTracker development series.

In late 2001, performance data gleaned from the SuperTracker series was used to integrate larger engine formulas into Grand National Championship series rules. The SuperTracker series was discontinued at the end of the 2001 season, having served its purpose as a development and research platform.

In 2006, the AMA Flat Track Championship was restructured to consist of two series: AMA Grand National Twins Championship events are held on mile and half-mile courses best suited for the power output of twin-cylinder motors; AMA Grand National Singles Championship races are held on TT and short track courses where the power range of single-cylinder motors is preferable.

AMA National Hot Shoe Series

Prior to 1997, riders seeking a career in professional flat track competition worked their way up through a system of amateur and pro-am competitions until they had accumulated enough points to graduate to professional competition in the AMA Regional or 600cc Championship Dirt Track Series. In 1997, the AMA Regional and 600cc Championship Series were consolidated into the AMA National Hot Shoe Series, providing a cohesive national advancement series for professional dirt-track racers.

The AMA National Hot Shoe Series now serves as the last rung on the ladder for riders aspiring to compete in the AMA  Grand National Championship Series. The AMA National Hot Shoe Series features motorcycles produced by a variety of manufacturers racing in 450cc Expert and Pro Sport classes, and 750/1000cc, and 883cc Expert classes.

Fans at AMA National Hot Shoe races witness all the action and drama of pro dirt-track racing, and look on as tomorrow’s Grand National Champions hone their talents. AMA Grand National riders are eligible for competition in National Hot Shoe Series races, and fans are often treated to appearances by these top riders.