Amman Valley Trotting Club will be echoing with the roar of motor cycles over the Bank Holiday weekend when the biggest entry of Flattrack racers ever seen in Europe compete on the Tairgwaith Trotting Club’s famous dirt track.
More than 60 riders from Britain and the continent will compete in the 65 races of the European Flattrack Championships on Saturday evening, May 29th, and Sunday afternoon, May 30th.
With competitors and their teams and supporters arriving from seven different countries, the event is bringing huge attention to the Amman Valley Trotting Club venue and has caused excited anticipation throughout the valley.
Trudy Launchbury of the Amman Valley Trotting Club said, “There has never been an event of this magnitude held in Wales. It’s caused a real buzz in the Amman Valley as the community eagerly awaits the arrival of this prestigious European Motorbike Championship.
“With the best riders from all over Europe competing, we are expecting many visitors from the continent which will give the valley an international flavour over what will be a very exciting weekend. This international event is a great day out for all the family.”
Neath Port Talbot Council Director of Environment John Flower said, “We are delighted to welcome this major European sporting event to the area. It is sure to have very beneficial economic spin-offs for local communities.
“Attracting these championships raises the profile of Neath Port Talbot in what is a major sport throughout Europe and represents a success that we hope to build upon.”
The Saturday evening racing will see riders contesting for the MEFO European Flattrack Cup while on Sunday afternoon attention will be focused on the Pozzani Silkolenee Shortrack UK Championship.
The dirt track motor cycle enthusiasts will see some of the sport’s top riders during the two day event.
Among them will be Elite League Speedway star rider Edward Kennett (Great Britain), three times UK Champion Marco Belli (Italy), HM Plant Honda rider Ade Collins (Great Britain), AMA Pro Flattracker Levi Mayer (United States of America), 2009 UK & European Champion Peter Boast, Halbe Scheper (Netherlands), Massimiliano Andreotti (Italy) and Stefan Gatzenmier (Denmark).
The two-day event has been part-funded by the Welsh Assembly Government’s Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
See www.shorttrackuk.com for more information