End of an era in flat track for Indian
Words and images courtesy Indian Motorcycle
Indian Motorcycle celebrates the end of an era of flat track racing dominance, as new AFT rules call for production-only engines, rendering the FTR750 ineligible. Indian’s championship-winning race bike leaves behind an unprecedented legacy, having secured seven SuperTwins Titles & more than 100 race wins in 135 races.
In 2016, Indian Motorcycle introduced the FTR750, a flat track race machine designed to propel the brand back into professional racing following a 60-year hiatus. Amid its eighth season of competition, the Indian FTR750 has established itself as the most dominant race bike in the sport’s past decade.
“Racing has been core to the Indian Motorcycle brand DNA,” said Gary Gray, Vice President Racing and Service for Indian Motorcycle. “From our founders, Hendee and Hedstrom, competing in endurance races in the early 1900s, to the dominant ‘Wrecking Crew’ of the late 1940s, Indian Motorcycle has been winning races. The FTR750 was the vehicle that reestablished Indian Motorcycle Racing and returned the brand to a place of competitive dominance.”
Since its debut, the FTR750 has not only revived the storied tradition of the original Indian Wrecking Crew, but it revolutionized the landscape of flat track racing – quickly earning a reputation as the most dominant machine in the AFT paddock. With three races remaining in the 2024 season, the FTR750 has a 75%-win ratio, winning 101 of the 135 races. It has secured 286 total podiums at 129 races, earning a 96%-podium ratio. The FTR750 has a perfect championship record, winning all premier class titles since 2017.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to be on this journey with Indian Motorcycle since day one,” said reigning AFT SuperTwins champion Jared Mees. “Racing the FTR750 has been an incredible experience, as I’ve never experienced a bike like the FTR750 in all my years competing. We’ve had immense success over the past eight years, and it’s been a true honour to be a part of the Indian Wrecking Crew.”
Mees has been an instrumental piece to the FTR750’s success. In addition to being Indian Motorcycle’s hero factory rider since 2017, Mees played an invaluable role in developing the FTR750 – providing expert-level feedback and insights to Indian engineers and S&S Cycle, who developed the FTR750’s chassis.
Piloting the FTR750, Mees has secured five championship titles. With a six-point lead in the SuperTwins standings, and three races remaining, Mees looks to complete the FTR750’s perfect record and secure a new all-time record of 10-career championships.
In addition to its factory efforts, Indian Motorcycle has been a great supporter of privateer teams, paying out more than $4,000,000 in privateer contingency.
Since 2017, 45 riders have competed aboard the Indian FTR750 in AFT races. The complete roster of legendary riders includes the following:
Kevin Anderson
Brad Baker
Briar Bauman
Bronson Bauman
Shayna Texter-Bauman
Declan Bender
Trevor Brunner
Dan Bromley
Patrick Buchanan
Kolby Carlile
Jeffrey Carver Jr.
Kenny Coolbeth Jr.
Chad Cose
Danny Eslick
Davis Fisher
Hayden Gillim
Sammy Halbert
Patrick Jacobsen
Jesse Janisch
Jake Johnson
Ronnie Jones
Joe Kopp
Johnny Lewis
Ben Lowe
Andrew Luker
Jay Maloney
Jared Mees
Morgen Mischler
James Monaco
Tyler O’Hara
Robert Pearson
Larry Pegram
Brandon Price
Brandon Robinson
Billy Ross
Jake Shoemaker
Bryan Smith
Dan Stanley
Kevin Stollings
Cory Texter
Jarod Vanderkooi
Stephen Vanderkuur
Ryan Varnes
Ryan Wells
Henry Wiles