Press Release | August 21, 2024
On August 16, 2024, American Flat Track released its list of twin-cylinder engines approved for use in AFT Mission SuperTwins competition, and Indian’s race-based FTR750 flat tracker is not on it. (View a pdf of the list HERE.) Instead of the FTR, the list shows the “983, V-Twin Scout 60” as the lone acceptable Indian engine. The 2025 AFT SuperTwins Redline Technical Standards were released the same day, and it shows the FTR750 will not be eligible for SuperTwins for 2025. As of now, it appears Indian will most likely step away from AFT racing in the premier SuperTwins division, at least with the FTR750.
Photos by Scott Hunter/Courtesy of Indian Motorcycle
A press release from Indian was produced the same day titled: “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 Motorcycle’s Championship-Winning Race Bike Leaves Behind Unprecedented Legacy, Securing Seven SuperTwins Titles & More than 100 Race Wins in 135 races.”
The rest of the release focused on the FTR750’s racing record and a long list of riders who competed on it at one point or another since the bike’s arrival in 2016. The release made no mention as to what Indian’s future plans will be in AFT SuperTwins racing. However, reigning AFT SuperTwins Champion and Indian FTR750 racer Jared Mees was quoted in the release: “I’ve been fortunate enough to be on this journey with Indian Motorcycle since day one,” said. “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 honor to be a part of the Indian Wrecking Crew.”
For more insight, read our three-part Cycle News State of American Flat Track 2022 by Chris Martin. We will post updates as we get them. CN
The following is the press release from Indian Motorcycle from August 16, 2024…
Minneapolis, MN. (August 19, 2024) – 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 history.
“Since 1901, 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 honor 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 Motorcycle 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. 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
