Indian Motorcycle Celebrates the End of an Era of Flat Track Racing Dominance
As new AFT rules come into force for 2025, calling for production-only engines, it is the end of the road for Indian Motorcycle’s all-conquering race-only FTR750 engine.
Following the final round of the 2024 season (Lake Ozark Raceway, Missouri, on September 14 - which Mees won on the FTR750), new AFT rules for 2025 and beyond render the FTR750 ineligible. Long live the King!
Indian Motorcycle’s multi-championship-winning race bike leaves behind an unprecedented legacy, having secured seven SuperTwins titles and more than 100 race wins in 138 races - a remarkable achievement that is unlikely ever to be equaled.
Indian Motorcycle introduced the FTR750 as a flat track race machine designed to propel the brand back into professional racing in 2016 - following a 60-year hiatus. Now competing just its eighth season of competition, the 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.
‘75% win ratio’
“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 revived the storied tradition of the original Indian Wrecking Crew and revolutionized the landscape of flat track racing in doing so. It quickly earned a reputation as the most dominant machine in the AFT paddock.
The FTR750 has a 75%-win ratio, winning 104 of the 138 races. It has secured 292 total podiums at 132 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 this 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 part of 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 six championship titles and secured a new all-time record of ten career championships.
KUDOS! 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 - hurrah!