Local riders, teams set for Daytona Bike Week

Contributed Photos – Getting set for competition at Daytona Bike Week Brandon Newman, left practices on the ice at Glenwood Lake in Medina and Ryan Wells practices in Florida for the season opener.

The local area will be well represented by riders and race teams at the up coming Daytona Bike Week where the highest level of competition in the Motorcycle Flat Track world will be held for the series debut at Volusia Speedway Park in DeLeon Springs, Florida.

Local Crusaders Motorcycle Club track champion Ryan Wells is teaming up with former Medina competitor Tanner Dean to race in the Singles Class with the 1st Impressions Racing Team from Jaacksonville Florida. He competed with Waters Autobody Racing last year until an injury sidelined his 2020 racing efforts.

Aidian Roosevans and Hunter Bauer will be riding for the Waters AutoBody Racing Team this coming season.

Brandon Newman from Medina will be competing as a privateer effort on a KTM 450SFX with support from his father Brian Newman and sponsors All Metal Works and RLJ Racing as well as many local supporters and fans. Both Brandon and Brian have been regular racers at the Crusaders Motorcycle Club course and even during the winter months Brandon has been practicing and sharping his skills on the ice at Glenwood Lake.

The Waters AutoBody Race Team will be fielding a two rider AFT singles team with riders Aidan Roosevans from O’Fallon Illinois and Canadian Hunter Bauer from Niagara Falls, Ontario.

“We are super excited to have been able to put together a strong team after joining forces with NKR Canada and FRA Trust this season to compete and bring young talented riders to the sport of flat track racing,” said team owner Rhonda Waters. “Dave and I are extremely happy to have been selected to be a KTM support team this year and with help from our local sponsor, Hebeler Sales and Service, RLJ Engines and Dyno Tech Research we have a strong package to take to the track.”

“American Flat Track is the professional race series equivalent to NASCAR but for the two wheeled enthusiasts,” adds Waters. “The organization was acquired by Daytona Motorsports Group and the sport has experienced a resurgence and has acquired national sponsors to fund the series.”

The opening rounds of the competition are scheduled for March 12 and 13. The races are scheduled to be broadcast live on Track Pass NBC Gold and broadcast after the event on NBCSN.