THE EARLY DAYS OF MOTORCYCLE RACING
Indian Motorcycle's racing legacy began in 1903 when co-founder Oscar Hedstrom set a world speed record and won an endurance race from New York City to Springfield. This early success laid the foundation for Indian's dominance in the racing world. In the 1940s and 1950s, the original Wrecking Crew, featuring riders like Bobby Hill and Bill Tuman, became legends by securing multiple victories at the Springfield Mile and other prestigious events. These early achievements established Indian Motorcycle as a formidable force in racing, a reputation that continues to inspire the racing community today.
Racing History
American Flat Track
Indian Motorcycle's flat track racing history is rich and storied, beginning in 1903 when co-founder Oscar Hedstrom set a world speed record and won an endurance race. The brand's dominance continued with the legendary "Wrecking Crew" of the 1940s and 1950s, featuring riders like Ernie Beckman, Bill Tuman, and Bobby Hill, who secured numerous victories and titles. After a hiatus, Indian Motorcycle made a triumphant return in 2016 with the FTR750, quickly becoming the most dominant machine in the sport. This modern era saw the new Wrecking Crew, including riders like Jared Mees, who helped secure multiple championships and solidify Indian's legacy in flat track racing.
Super Hooligan Racing
Indian Motorcycle's involvement in Super Hooligan racing began as a collaboration with Roland Sands Design (RSD) to create a thrilling and accessible racing series for custom-built street bikes. The series, which started nearly a decade ago, features high-powered motorcycles competing on various challenging tracks across the United States. Indian's FTR750 and other models have been prominent in the series, with riders like Tyler O'Hara achieving significant success. The Super Hooligan series has grown in popularity, showcasing the spirit of innovation and competition that Indian Motorcycle embodies.
King of The Baggers
Today, Indian Motorcycle continues to make waves in racing through the King of the Baggers racing series. The race team includes a formidable three-rider factory team, including Troy Herfoss, Tyler O'Hara, and Loris Baz. Racing on the powerful Indian Challenger, equipped with the liquid-cooled PowerPlus engine, Indian Motorcycle has secured three championships in this thrilling competition since it started in 2020. The team's recent successes highlight their dominance and innovation in the sport, with Herfoss capturing the 2024 title.
ADDITIONAL RACING ACCOLADES AND RECORDS
Today, the Indian Challenger, powered by the PowerPlus 112 engine, is the exclusive motorcycle used by Indian Motorcycle racing. Delivering exceptional performance with 126 horsepower and 133 ft-lbs of torque, the Indian Challenger is a dominant force on the track and has secured multiple King of the Baggers titles.
LEAVING AN UNPRECEDENTED LEGACY IN FLAT TRACK
The Indian FTR750 was a dominant force in flat track racing since its debut in 2017, achieving a 75% win ratio and securing 104 wins out of 138 races. It won a consecutive 8 premier class titles from 2017 to 2024, with riders like Jared Mees and Briar Bauman leading the charge. Jared Mees, in particular, set a record with his 10th career championship in 2024. However, due to new rules for the 2025 season requiring production-based engines no greater than 900cc, the FTR750 has been retired from racing. Despite this, its legacy of unmatched performance and championship victories will continue to inspire the racing community.
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