The AMA's Grand National Championship riders will take to Black Hills Speedway's half-mile oval at

7 p.m. on Tuesday for the Black Hills Harley Davidson Half-Mile.

The first appearance for the AMA's top flat track series in the Black Hills since 2005 highlights a busy week of motor

cycle competition at the 69th annual Sturgis motorcycle rally.

Longtime motorcycle and sprint car competitor Corey Brink of Spearfish is bringing the GNC riders to western South Dakota for Round 8 of the national flat track championship series for his first

solo race promotion attempt.

"I'm hoping for about 3,500 spectators. That's my break-even point. Ticket sales have picked up this week. We've sold more this week than we have all the time before that," Brink said on Friday.

Jared Mees of Clio, Mich., leads the GNC Expert Twin standings. Also racing here will be the GNC Pro Singles class, led by current point leader Henry Wiles of Blanchard, Mich.

Joe Kopp of Mica, Wash., currently ninth in the GNC Twins standings, claimed the win during the 2005 GNC race at BHS.

The Twin class is powered by V-Twin two-cylinder engines, while the singles class is powered by single-cylinder engines.

"Pretty much everyone who's competing for points, the whole top 20 should be here," said Brink. "They've been averaging 50 to 60 riders for the GNC Twins races so far this year."

Brink also expects the AMA regulars to come early and compete in Monday night's Jackpine Gypsies-sponsored AMA Hotshoe Series event at the J.C. "Pappy" Hoel short track in Sturgis, and at Wednesday afternoon's Historic Half-Mile at the Sturgis Fairgrounds.

The short track starts at 7 p.m. with Wednesday's Historic Half-Mile under way at noon.

The Gypsies also host the Ryan Waterland Memorial Motocross at 10 a.m.

today, an AMA-sanctioned amateur hillclimb at 10 a.m. on Monday and an AMA pro hillclimb at 10 a.m. on Friday at the club grounds in west Sturgis.

Short-track racing continues Thursday and Friday, with the Black Hills Mini Sprint Tour making its second appearance of the season Friday night at the short track.

If that isn't enough, the nitro-burning All-Harley Drag Racing Association bikes will race at Sturgis Dragway, east of Sturgis, at 1 p.m. on both Tuesday and Wednesday, with a practice day on

Monday afternoon.

The North American Hillclimbers

Association returns for its third year of hillclimbs near the Buffalo Chip Campground at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday.

Among the competitors expected for the NAHA event is Chad Koopsma of Sioux Falls.