Cycle News Staff | January 8, 2019
AMA Hall of Famer Jeff Ward says he’s coming out of retirement to race—flat track, more specifically TT. Yes, Jeff Ward is going TT racing in 2019!
The seven-time AMA Motocross Champion and AMA Supermoto Champion got the bug to go racing again and plans to compete in all five TT rounds on the 2019 AFT schedule.
Even at the age of 57, Ward says that “…I’m still pretty fast on a motorcycle and in great shape.”
Jeff Ward says he’s returning to his roots and go TT racing in the 2019 AFT Championship.
The following is a release from Wardy Racing:
Jeff Ward, a seven-time AMA Motocross champion, AMA Supermoto champion, IndyCar and NASCAR racer, Motorcycle Hall of Famer and one of the most versatile and successful competitors in the world of motorsports, will return to the racetrack to compete in American Flat Track events in 2019.
Ward will compete in the AFT Singles division at all five TT races – and maybe even a Short Track or two – aboard KTM 450 SX-F machinery with support from fellow racer and Moto Anatomy riding-school owner Johnny Lewis, Blackmore Ranch, KTM, Troy Lee Designs, Malcolm Smith Motorcycles, The W Training Facility and Monster Energy.
“Most folks probably don’t know this,” Ward said, “but I started racing flat tracks and TTs as a youngster, and then gradually moved to motocross, so I’ve got some pretty deep flat track roots. I’ve been riding lately at the Blackmore Ranch flat track facility in Southern California, and really enjoying it. I also watched all the AFT races on NBCSN in 2018, and I got to thinking, ‘Let’s try this…’ – and here we are!
“The plan,” continued Ward, “is to do the five TT events, and maybe catch a Short Track or two. I’ll be riding KTM 450s, with set-up, logistical and training help from Johnny Lewis. I’ll ride one of Johnny’s KTMs at Daytona in March, and one of my KTMs in Arizona in April, as it’s close to my So Cal base. After that we’ll figure out logistics for the rest of the rounds.
“I’m working on finalizing sponsors now,” Ward added, “and we definitely have opportunities for companies to come aboard. We are going to have a lot of fun with this and stir things up a bit. I think we’ll be in contention for wins, too. I’m 57, but I’m still pretty fast on a motorcycle and in great shape thanks to all the motocross riding and mountain bike racing I’ve been doing. It will be a challenge, for sure, but I’m committed to this and plenty serious about the season.”
Ward, who’s also a member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame, will have serious logistical and bike set-up support from Lewis, a top-level flat tracker in his own right.
“Jeff’s a master,” said Lewis, “and he’ll adapt quickly. He’s just so intuitive and has such a good feel for the motorcycle, what it needs, and how to extract maximum performance from it. I’m always amazed how good he is when I watch him. We’ll be working together and testing before the Daytona round on March 14, and afterward, too, so he’ll be ready. When you combine his world-class natural talent with the fact that he still wants to learn and pays attention to the smaller things I can help him with, he’s going to be tough to beat. He’s also going to be involved in my Moto Anatomy schools whenever possible, so I’m excited about our collaboration. We’re going to have some fun!”
