AFT rewrote the rulebook, and the Indian FTR 750 is now banned.

[arcticXS]

I guess a lot of you are interested in flat track racing, and know how the Indian FTR took over as the most successful bike after the XR750 pretty much dominated since the mid-70s (except that Honda won sometime in the 80s, only to leave flat track after they sort of proved that they could indeed beat Harley)
Now AFT have changed the rules, making the FTR non-elgible.
What are your thoughts on this?

 

[Downeaster]

Typical boo-boo lip reaction: If you can't beat it, legislate it.

 

[OHRider]

Harley has always been a POOR LOSER

 

[jetmechmarty]

It kinda makes me lose interest in the sport.

I used to be a NASCAR fan. I couldn’t car less anymore.

 

[RC4MAN]

I understand completely about NASCAR, and I've heard that the France family has also taken over control of AFT.
That said I've while I applaud and salute Indian, HD, Honda for their efforts and designs, I as many here remember the days when "run what you brung" was the normal state of things. I was encouraged a couple seasons ago when AFT was running a Production Twins class in which frames and engine mods were allowed but the engines had to be based on street legal cases and architecture. I'm hoping that this is more what they're trying to go for. It helps keeps cost down and hopefully allows more everyman effort teams to compete competitively.
I haven't read the actual changes as written as yet, only heard that the FTR, XR and other purpose built models will no longer be allowed. What I believe I've heard is the new rule allows air-cooled twins up to 900cc and water-cooled twins to 800cc.
As it stands now Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, HD, Royal Enfield, KTM, BMW, Ducati and others produce acceptable power plants so it should be interesting to see what develops.
I spend most of my time now watching regional club events on tracks around the Southeast, which are plentiful, and there will always be an Open Class that the purpose built bikes can compete in so I don't expect them to go away.
Besides if Indian is smart they'll develop a street going model based on the FTR, shouldn't be too difficult for them.

PS. Groups like AHRMA, SDTA, RPM, Deep South M/C, and Cory Texter are all sponsoring and running amateur and Pro-Am events at tracks in the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois so there's no shortage of exciting racing available that doesn't cost a fortune to view. I drove up to watch a Cory Texter sponsored race in Hagerstown MD two weeks ago. Briar Bauman was there. I had hoped more of the pros would be there but there were 3 other events, two in the Southeast and one in Indiana that drew others away. Still it was good racing, and only $50 for a two day event.

 

[jetmechmarty]

I understand completely about NASCAR, and I've heard that the France family has also taken over control of AFT.
That said I've while I applaud and salute Indian, HD, Honda for their efforts and designs, I as many here remember the days when "run what you brung" was the normal state of things. I was encouraged a couple seasons ago when AFT was running a Production Twins class in which frames and engine mods were allowed but the engines had to be based on street legal cases and architecture. I'm hoping that this is more what they're trying to go for. It helps keeps cost down and hopefully allows more everyman effort teams to compete competitively.
I haven't read the actual changes as written as yet, only heard that the FTR, XR and other purpose built models will no longer be allowed. What I believe I've heard is the new rule allows air-cooled twins up to 900cc and water-cooled twins to 800cc.
As it stands now Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, HD, Royal Enfield, KTM, BMW, Ducati and others produce acceptable power plants so it should be interesting to see what develops.
I spend most of my time now watching regional club events on tracks around the Southeast, which are plentiful, and there will always be an Open Class that the purpose built bikes can compete in so I don't expect them to go away.
Besides if Indian is smart they'll develop a street going model based on the FTR, shouldn't be too difficult for them.

PS. Groups like AHRMA, SDTA, RPM, Deep South M/C, and Cory Texter are all sponsoring and running amateur and Pro-Am events at tracks in the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois so there's no shortage of exciting racing available that doesn't cost a fortune to view. I drove up to watch a Cory Texter sponsored race in Hagerstown MD two weeks ago. Briar Bauman was there. I had hoped more of the pros would be there but there were 3 other events, two in the Southeast and one in Indiana that drew others away. Still it was good racing, and only $50 for a two day event.

Thanks for the extended reply.

 

[GaryInVA]

Indian was supposed to only run the current FTR factory motor for two years and develop a bike based on a production bike during that time and then run that. ATF allowed them to run their factory engines for 5 times the allotted time period. I really like watching the Indians run and am a big fan of the Estenson Yamahas and Dallas Daniels/Tom Drane. The KTMs are starting to find their footing in the current series with Briar Bauman.

 

[GaryInVA]

Here's a pic I took of an FTR at a 2023 short track race in Texas.

 

[halfmile]

I was lucky. All my flat track hero`s were in the late 60`s and the 70`s. Real AMA sanctioned races with real riders like Bart Markel, Dick Mann, Dave Aldana, Gene Romero, Don Castro, Gary Nixon, and the list goes on and on. Real motorcycles too. The class structure was Novice, Junior and Expert. That`s all you needed. Real sponsors too like Camel Pro Series and Winston Pro Series. Tobacco and motorsports just like God intended it to be. Your not going to see 5 riders crossed up coming out of the #4 turn racing to the checkered flag. All you`ll see today is some foot on the pegs rider heading for the podium to spew out some line of ungrateful BS and where in the Hell is the trophy girl? Granted todays riders are faster than I would have ever been but when I used to watch AFT I couldn`t help comparing it to what I saw in person and it just makes me want to puke. There. Got that out of my system.

If your a fan of flat track and haven`t seen this you should.

 

[RC4MAN]

Aldana is still active in AHRMA, and I think head of their Flat Track section. He lives in Fayetteville GA and you see him frequently at vintage events in the southeast. Friendly easy going fellow.

 

[OHRider]

It kinda makes me lose interest in the sport.

I used to be a NASCAR fan. I couldn’t car less anymore.

Me too

 

[OHRider]

Indian was supposed to only run the current FTR factory motor for two years and develop a bike based on a production bike during that time and then run that. ATF allowed them to run their factory engines for 5 times the allotted time period. I really like watching the Indians run and am a big fan of the Estenson Yamahas and Dallas Daniels/Tom Drane. The KTMs are starting to find their footing in the current series with Briar Bauman.

Sorry I didn’t know that

 

[drgonzo]

Harley should have built a water cooled 4 valve XR750.
Maybe their new 'Sportster' engine platform can be competitive. Well, if they've sold 400 of them.

 

[Kevin Werner]

Win on Sunday, sell on Monday maybe does not translate these days....

 

[drgonzo]

Some good insight on AFT.

 

[GaryInVA]

That Cycle World video was a really good history of what happened. Corrected some of the things I've heard online about the whole drama behind the FTR getting outlawed. I liked the point that the FRT really is a production bike in that anybody can buy one and buy the same parts Mees has on his bikes.

 

[drgonzo]

It seems that in Kevin Cameron's opinion the XR750 could have remained competitive with minimal changes.

 

[zrx1100]

Just watched the super twins finale. Great to see Dallas Daniel’s competitive on a Yamaha. They need to rethink the motogp program

 

[GaryInVA]

Dallas Daniels might have won it this year if he hadn't broken his femur in a practice session half way through the season. Amazing that he came back and rode the last couple of races.