Sideburn correspondent and AFT national racer Johnny Lewis is set to race a privateer Indian FTR750 today, at the Lone Star Half-Mile, Texas.
The idea of putting Johnny on the bike is to show the viability of the $45-49,000 FTR as an option for privateers. At the moment, the Kawasaki ER twin, and to a lesser extent, the Yamaha MT-07 engine, are the motors privateers are using. We've heard that the Briggs team, currently running Ryan Wells and formerly employing Sammy Halbert, have ordered two FTR750s for next season.
The Indian race bike has been dominant this season, winning 13 of the 16 races so far this year. Jared Mees won the title with two races remaining*. The three Indian riders have had six podium sweeps this season.
The Indian team will have an unfamiliar look at today's race, because Brad Baker has broken his jaw on a mountain bike. Larry Pegram, above, is set to stand in at Texas.
Watch the race on fanschoice.tv
Read Johnny Lewis's Get Schooled (How to use your brakes to go faster) in Sideburn 30.
* Jared Mees 2017 results are incredible:
1st, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 2nd, 2nd, 1st, 1st, Disq., 1st, 1st, 2nd, 1st, 2nd, 1st, 1st
Photo: Andrea Wilson/AFT