The 2026 Yamaha Aussie Flat Track Nationals (AFTN) will commence at Maryborough’s Action Park on July 25-26, with the double-header round featuring a staggering line-up of motorcycle racing talent.
There will be a mix of familiar faces and emerging stars in the premier Pro 450 class, with a major inclusion that of Queenslander Max Whale (KTM) who will make his full-time AFTN debut after eight years at the highest level of American flat track.
And the sparkle continues with Michael Kirkness (Honda) officially coming out of retirement as the 40-year-old chases a third Pro 450 title, while six riders who finished top 10 last year are returning in 2026: Daniel Wicks (KTM), Cameron Dunker (Yamaha), teen sensation Billy Ryan (GASGAS), Brandon Burns (GASGAS), Jett Carter (KTM) and Cooper Archibald (Ducati).
Wicks and Archibald recently won major titles at the 2026 Australian Senior Dirt Track Championship, so they will head to Maryborough – 260km north of Brisbane – with plenty of confidence.
Meanwhile, Dunker is a seriously slick operator, finishing third in the 2025 Pro 450 title despite missing a round. His last AFTN appearance saw him clean sweep the season finale in Gunnedah.
John Lytras (KTM), Rory McQualter (KTM), Ronan Jacobs (KTM) and Cooper Anderson (Husqvarna) are also keen to make their mark, while an intriguing entry is that of 16-year-old Riley Nauta (KTM).
Nauta is a former junior dirt track star turned circuit racer but remains a seriously potent customer on the dirt. At the North Brisbane Cup in December 2025, Nauta won two classes as well as the 450cc top 10 shootout, with his scalps including MotoGP star Jack Miller.
As well as championship honours, the Pro 450 riders will begin their quest to win the $5000 gold and diamond Bunda Fine Jewels ring in Maryborough, with competition on a traditional flat track circuit on Saturday before switching to a TT layout on Sunday.
The stacked fields continue in the other five classes in Maryborough. Junior Lites will see the resumption of the enthralling Jed Fyffe and Neiko Donovan battle from 2025, while in Pro Women Latiya Allen returns fresh from overseas competition ready to shake up that class.
In Junior 85, the talent pool is extraordinary with a long list of Aussie champions, while both ends of the age spectrum are also better catered for this year with the introduction of the Over 35s class and 65 Trackers for six to nine-year-olds.
The Junior 85 riders will make it six separate classes in Maryborough.
“We’re thrilled to bring the Yamaha Aussie Flat Track Nationals back to Maryborough this year to launch the new season,” said series organiser Dave Maddock.
“Max Whale returning to Australia after such a decorated American flat track career is fantastic for our series. He is still amongst the finest riders in the world and it will be a treat to see him go head-to-head against Mick Kirkness.
“So many riders took the opportunity to sharpen themselves in the USA between seasons, so I’m really looking forward to seeing the level rise again this year.
“I’d like to say a big thanks to Yamaha and all our other supporters for continuing their involvement, we can’t wait to see how things unfold this weekend.”
Results from Maryborough, including live timing, will be available here.
For more information on the AFTN, as well as purchasing tickets, click here.
2026 Aussie Flat Track Nationals calendar
• Round 1: Flat Track Layout – Maryborough, QLD, Saturday July 25
• Round 2: TT Layout – Maryborough, QLD, Sunday July 26
• Round 3: Flat Track Layout – Wodonga, VIC, Saturday August 29
• Round 4: TT Layout – Wodonga, VIC, Sunday August 30
• Round 5: Flat Track Layout & TT Layout – Griffith, NSW, Saturday October 10
• Round 6: Flat Track Layout – Gunnedah, NSW, Sunday November 7
• Round 7: TT Layout – Gunnedah, NSW, Sunday November 8