DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 21, 2015) – Troy Bayliss, the Australian road racing superstar and winner of three World Superbike titles, is coming to the USA to compete in the most iconic and historic form of American motorcycle racing.
Bayliss will run five events on the AMA Pro Flat Track schedule, putting him in the field against the best dirt track racers in the world. He is set to make his debut on a Lloyd Brothers Motorsports Ducati May 24 at the legendary Springfield Mile in Springfield, Ill., and will run the four remaining Mile events on the 2015 schedule.
“Having Troy Bayliss race with AMA Pro Flat Track, at some of our most storied venues, really multiplies the excitement and positive momentum we have as a sport right now,” said Michael Gentry, Chief Operating Officer of AMA Pro Racing. “With his own exhibition race, as well as the Superprestigio and with his impressive resume with World Superbike, British Superbike and MotoGP, Troy is one of the motorcycle racing greats. Seeing him on American dirt is a mouth-watering prospect for USA race fans. We are looking forward to the excitement created by his presence in our paddock. A lot of work went into making this a reality and we are thankful to David and Michael Lloyd of Lloyd Brothers Motorsports, Jim Dillard, Vicki Smith and Ducati North America for their vision, support and participation.”
Top road racers have long used dirt track as a training regimen, but Bayliss has taken it to a new level since his retirement from full-time competition in 2008. For the last three years, he’s successfully promoted the Troy Bayliss Classic flat track exhibition in Australia, an event that has attracted top AMA Pro Flat Track riders such as current Grand National Champion Jared Mees, Sammy Halbert and Henry Wiles.
Following the Springfield Mile, Bayliss is scheduled to race the Sacramento Mile on May 30. July 4 and 11, he’ll run the Du Quoin Mile and Indy Mile, respectively, before finishing with the second running of the Springfield Mile Sept. 6.
“Dirt and flat track racing are where I cut my teeth as a junior. Everything I have learned on the dirt helped me through my career in road racing and to find myself back where it all started makes me feel young again,” said Bayliss. “To race the Grand Nationals will be a challenge, but to compete with Lloyd Brothers Motorsports on the Ducati had to be done. Flat track is on the up here in Australia. We have run the Troy Bayliss Classic for the past three years and mixing it up with Henry Wiles, Jared Mees and Sammy Halbert has been great. I really look forward to my time in the US of A.”
Bayliss, 46, recorded 94 podium finishes in 152 World Superbike starts, including 52 victories. He recorded his only MotoGP victory as a wildcard entrant in 2006, filling in for the injured Factory Ducati rider, Sete Gibernau, in Valencia, Spain. His decorated resume also includes a British Superbike Championship, which he won in 1999.
Next up, the stars of AMA Pro Flat Track will visit Springfield, Ill., for the first Springfield Mile on May 24, 2015. Fans can get their tickets by calling (217) 753-8866. The entire event can also be viewed live and in high definition at www.FansChoice.tv.
AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.
More, from a press release issued by Ducati North America:
DUCATI RACING LEGEND TROY BAYLISS ANNOUNCES HIS ENTRY INTO THE 2015 AMA PRO GRAND NATIONAL SERIES
Bayliss Heads to America to Compete on a Ducati in All One-Mile AMA Flat Track Events
Cupertino, Calif. (April 21, 2015) – Three-time Ducati team World Superbike Champion (WSBK) Troy Bayliss today confirmed his plans to compete in the 2015 AMA Pro Grand National Series, beginning with the legendary Springfield Mile in Illinois on May 24. Racing a Lloyd Brothers Motorsports Ducati alongside teammate Johnny Lewis, Bayliss will participate in all five mile-long race events. In addition to factory support, long-time Ducati collector Jim Dillard is also providing financial backing for the Lloyd Brothers Motorsports Ducati team.
Bayliss is one of the most decorated competitors in road racing history, with 52 WSBK victories, a fairytale MotoGP win in 2006 and the British Superbike Championship title in 1999 – all on a Ducati. He is no stranger to flat track racing: in 2013, he launched the invitation-only Troy Bayliss Classic in his home country of Australia, where he has since competed against many AMA Pro Flat Track greats.
Both Bayliss and Lewis will be piloting Ducati 1100cc air-cooled, 2-valve engines with Penske-tuned suspension in a custom chassis.
Troy Bayliss’ Race Schedule – 2015 AMA Pro Grand National Series
– May 24 – Springfield Mile (Round 3)
– May 30 – Sacramento Mile (Round 4)
– July 4 – Du Quoin Mile (Round 7)
– July 11 – Indy Mile (Round 8)
– September 6 – Springfield Mile II (Round 13)
“Dirt and flat track racing are where I cut my teeth as a junior. Everything I have learned on the dirt helped me through my career in road racing and to find myself back where it all started makes me feel young again,” said Bayliss. “To race the Grand Nationals will be a challenge, but to compete with the Lloyd Brothers on the Ducati had to be done. Flat track is on the up here in Australia. We have run the Troy Bayliss Classic for the past three years and mixing it up with Henry Wiles, Jared Mees and Sammy Halbert has been great. I really look forward to my time in the US of A.”
“Although Troy retired from full-time competition in 2008, he always been a very active brand ambassador for Ducati,” said Dominique Cheraki, CEO of Ducati North America. “I think Ducati fans around the world will be excited about this project, as you know anything can happen when Troy sits on a Ducati.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to join a program like Lloyd Brothers Motorsports,” said Johnny Lewis. “I feel the Ducati will be the best bike I have ever been given a chance to throw a leg over in the AMA Pro Flat Track Championship. With this team and their supporters, I feel we can look forward to some great performances this season. I have been working hard this off season, training on and off of the bikes in Florida and I know that the Lloyd Brothers have been making constant improvements to the bikes to provide me with the opportunity to once again be a podium contender at each race.”
Additional information, including participating dealers and availability can be found at www.ducati.com.