Indian Motorcycle Returns To The Hill With FTR750 For AMA Pro Hillclimb Series

Discussion in 'Indian Motorcycle News' started by NickJ, Aug 19, 2020.

  1. NickJ

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    After More Than 80 Years Away From The Sport, Indian Motorcycle Returns To Its Hill-Climbing Roots;

    Enlists 10-Time AMA Pro Hillclimb Champion John Koester To Pilot FTR750 Hillclimb Race Bike


    Indian Motorcycle, America’s First Motorcycle Company, today announced its participation in the upcoming AMA Pro Hillclimb Racing series, marking a return to a sport it once dominated more than 80 years ago.

    Indian Motorcycle enters the 2020 series’ new Twins class armed with a modified Indian FTR750 hill climber, piloted by the company’s newest factory rider and 10-time AMA Pro Hillclimb Champion John “Flying” Koester. Regarded as one of the sport’s top riders, Koester was the first U.S. racer to win all three National AMA Pro Hillclimb titles in a single season.

    “It’s an absolute honour to represent Indian Motorcycle as it makes its dramatic return to hillclimb racing on the same machine that literally changed the game for flat-track racing over the past four years,” said Koester. “We’re excited to unleash the FTR750 on the hill, with our minds firmly fixed on the ultimate goal of capturing a championship.”

    Koester, along with his father and crew chief Gordy Koester, spearheaded the dramatic transformation of the FTR750 from a flat track race bike to a full-fledged hill shredder. Modifications include an extended swingarm, knobby tires, redesigned rear tail, and an upgraded Rekluse clutch to account for the increased clutch use demanded by hillclimb racing. The team also worked with S&S to design an exhaust system specific to Koester and his riding position.

    “When we created the new Twins class, our intention was to attract leading OEMs like Indian Motorcycle to return to this uniquely challenging and exciting form of racing, and we couldn’t be more excited to now welcome Indian Motorcycle back to the hill for the first time in more than 80 years,” said Rob Redmann, Director of AMA Pro Hillclimb. “There is nothing like Hillclimb racing – fast, quick and exciting. We believe brands such as Indian Motorcycle will dramatically impact our ability to draw more fans and help grow this incredible sport.”

    Since 1901, racing has been a part of the Indian Motorcycle DNA. Founders George Hendee and Oscar Hedstrom met at a bicycle race and maintained their passion for speed and competition when developing the brand in its infancy. Today, Indian Motorcycle has honoured its forefathers by continuing the brand’s racing prowess through various forms of racing, including flat track, landspeed, bagger racing at the upcoming, inaugural MotoAmerica King of the Baggers event, and now hillclimb.

    “We are always looking for exciting and unique opportunities not only compete, but to also demonstrate the prowess of our engineering and design teams and the capabilities of the incredible motorcycles we develop,” said Gary Gray, Vice President Racing, Service and Technology for Indian Motorcycle. “We’re not only fans of hillclimb racing, but with our brand’s history in the sport, it was a no-brainer that we’d make our return after all these years.”

    To find more information on AMA Pro Hillclimb Series visit amaprohillclimb.com.
     
  2. Baldhead_J

    Baldhead_J Gold Member
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    #scooped
     
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  3. NickJ

    NickJ Administrator
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    Yes, but not front paged... ;P
     
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  4. Baldhead_J

    Baldhead_J Gold Member
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    With great power.....
     
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  5. Alpal

    Alpal Gold Member
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    Gee, the fingers seem appropriate there!:p:p:p:p:p
     
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  6. Baldhead_J

    Baldhead_J Gold Member
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    @Sturgis 75th or @NickJ should be along to help you. Is there anything we can do in the meantime?
     
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