In addition to becoming the title sponsor of 2018 DTRA series Indian Motorcycles have also upped their involvement in the DTRA Hooligan series.
At a recent launch at the Champion’s Flat Track School, Lincolnshire a four rider team was unveiled. They will all ride 983cc Indian Scout 60s prepared by Krazy Horse (who also build road legal versions of these Hooligans).
The team is split into two pairs essentially, official and ‘academy’. Jonathan Falkman and Lee Kirkpatrick are in the official team, Chris Hatton and Leah Tokelove in the Scholarship team. I’m not entirely sure of the difference, because they’ll all be on the same spec of bike.
Sideburn was there to interview the riders on their hopes for the season. We also asked them, slightly unfairly, but just for fun, to predict the top 3 in the Hooligan title.
The championship kicks off on as an evening race at King’s Lynn on Saturday 7 April.
SCROLL DOWN FOR THE VIDEO
Jonathan Falkman
Age: 31
Hometown: Malmo, Sweden
Previous race experience: MX and last season of DTRA
What other DTRA classes you will race in 2018? 450 for selected events
Favourite track: Hometrack in Malmo
What are you most looking forward to about racing the Indian?
Getting to know the bike well enough to ride it more like you would a 450 DTX, getting all that power and weight under control.
Predict the top 3 in the 2018 Hooligan Championship
1. Manfalken
2. Tokelove
3. Grant Martin
Lee Kirkpatrick
Age: 31
Hometown: Bury St Edmunds
Race experience: Ten years MX, 1 season Hooligan, half season DTX
What other DTRA classes you will race in 2018? Inters on a DTX
Favourite track: Greenfield or King’s Lynn
What are you most looking forward to about racing the Indian?
Helping develop the bike for Krazy Horse and Indian trying to win races.
Predict the top 3 in the 2018 Hooligan Championship
1. Tokelove
2. Falkman
3. Grant Martin
Chris Hatton
Age: 37
Hometown: Caerphilly
Previous race experience: Raced motocross for over 20 years, started flat track on a framer in 2017.
What other DTRA classes you will race in 2018? Thunderbike
Favourite track: Greenfield
What are you most looking forward to about racing the Indian?
Looking forward to challenge of racing a bigger bike on a small track.
Predict the top 3 in the 2018 Hooligan Championship
1. Hatton
2. Kirkpatrick
3. Maybe Grant Martin
Leah Tokelove
Age: 20
Hometown: Lincoln
Previous race experience: Have raced with the DTRA in the Pro class and restricted before, for about 6 years. Mablethorpe beach racing for 7 years, winning a class and coming runner up.
What other DTRA classes you will race in 2018?
Pro and maybe some minibike depend how much energy I have left.
Favourite track: Greenfield
What are you most looking forward to about racing the Indian?
The challenge of it. I’m also excited to race in another very competitive class. It will be an awesome experience.
Predict the top 3 in the 2018 Hooligan Championship
1. Doolan
2. Grant Martin
3. Kirkpatrick
I don’t like this question, who knows!
Photos: Tom Bing