The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced the technical stewards for the AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships, which will bring the fastest amateur dirt-track racers in the country to Du Quoin, Ill., this June 27-July 4. Tryce Welch, the country’s leading authority on DTX bike setup and motors, will serve as chief DTX technical steward, and technical consultant Josh Lynn will serve as chief technical steward for all other disciplines.
"The fairness, and therefore success, of a national-caliber event such as the AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships depends on both comprehensive technical knowledge and consistent enforcement," said Joe Bromley, AMA director of racing. "Tryce’s and Josh’s knowledge and experience will provide a level of comfort for the competitors that all equipment will be built to exact class specifications."
Although Welch is well versed in all levels of dirt-track technology, his area of expertise is in DTX machinery. DTX ("dirt-track cross") bikes are motocross bikes modified for dirt-track competition. Welch will be available on Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, June 28, to inspect DTX bikes for compliance with stock rules and seal them for the week of competition.
"The Dirt Track Grand Championships are my favorite races of the year," Welch said. "I’m glad to help competitors with their DTX equipment and ensure compliance with stock rules. A new professional opportunity keeps me from spending the entire week at Du Quoin, but I didn’t want to miss being part of this great event."
Lynn is an independent technical consultant from Columbus, Ohio. He will be responsible for all non-DTX rule compliance, as well as DTX-related duties from Monday, June 29, through the final day of competition on July 4.
Ken Saillant, track racing manager for AMA Racing, added: "We are extremely fortunate that Tryce and Josh have come on board to help with the AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships this year. The Du Quoin Fairgrounds already provide a beautiful setting and excellent race tracks to showcase the absolute best youth and amateur dirt-track racers in this country, and Tryce and Josh will help make an already great event even better."
The AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships feature a week of racing in all four dirt-track disciplines — short track, TT, half-mile and Mile. Although competitors aren’t required to compete in all events, champions earn AMA Racing National No. 1 plates based on their accumulated points from each individual event. The top racers will also battle for the AMA Racing Dirt Track Horizon Award, which honors the amateur racer poised to make a statement on the pro level.
