Indian is continuing to throw mad money at the AMA’s Flat Track Twins division, with big money for riders who win aboard an FTR750, including a big jump in the prize for first place finishes.
In 2018, Indian paid out almost $150,000 to privateers, more than any other company has ever paid out over a pro flat tracking season, says Indian. This season, Indian is offering as much as $18,500 per race in prize money, as well as as $25,000 for the series championship.
The prize for a first-place race finish has jumped from $5,000 to $10,000 in 2019, which will give privateers a lot of extra motivation to battle for the front, and for riders who aren’t riding Indian machines, that’s a lot of potential money they’re passing up. Second place gets $3,500, third place gets $1,500. There’s prize money for finishing on an Indian as low as 10th, which gets you $100.
Naturally, there are strings attached to the money. To earn, the rider must pilot an Indian FTR750 at all the AMA Flat Track Twins races the team attends, and they’ve got to fly the flag, so to speak. As per the official press release (below), “The bike must maintain the original red, white and black paint scheme and include the full “Indian Scout” logo across both sides of the tank panel. Additional logos on the bike are acceptable, but must be pre-approved by Indian Motorcycle Racing. Furthermore, riders must wear three Indian Motorcycle patches, including one on the upper chest on either the left or right side, as well as one on both shoulders.” So while the privateers may not actually be signed factory riders, they’ll still look a lot like the factory team.
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE RACING’S 2019 CONTINGENCY PROGRAM OFFERS $18,500 PER RACE & $25,000 CHAMPIONSHIP BONUS
Indian Maintains Aggressive Contingency after 2018 Single-Season
Privateer Payout Record of Nearly $150,000
MINNEAPOLIS (January 30, 2019) – Indian Motorcycle Racing, the back-to-back reigning American Flat Track Manufacturer’s Champion, today announced its 2019 contingency program. Following a record-setting season in which Indian Motorcycle Racing paid nearly $150,000 in privateer contingency, Indian’s 2019 program will continue to offer an aggressive $18,500 per race and include a $25,000 championship bonus. In addition, Indian Motorcycle Racing will increase its first-place payout from $5,000 to $10,000 in 2019.
Since its American Flat Track debut in 2017, the championship-winning Indian Motorcycle FTR750 has been the hottest race bike in the sport. After the Indian Wrecking Crew swept the 2017 season standings, many privateers turned to the FTR750 in 2018. Of those privateers, seven placed within the top 10 of the final standings, including Henry Wiles (second), Briar Bauman (third), Jeffrey Carver Jr. (fourth), Chad Cose (sixth), Kenny Coolbeth Jr. (seventh), Jake Johnson (eighth) and Davis Fisher (ninth).
“In 2018, we paid out more in privateer contingency than any other company in the history of professional flat track racing,” said Gary Gray, Vice President – Racing, Technology & Service for Indian Motorcycle. “Many of our privateers had career years aboard the FTR750 and garnered consistent results throughout the season. That said, we’re excited to maintain an aggressive privateer contingency program and reward those who choose to ride the FTR750.”
Indian Motorcycle Racing’s 2019 contingency structure breaks down by the following:
• Championship – $25,000
• 1st – $10,000
• 2nd – $3,500
• 3rd – $1,500
• 4th – $1,250
• 5th – $1,000
• 6th – $500
• 7th – $300
• 8th – $200
• 9th – $150
• 10th – $100
To be eligible for contingency payouts, riders must run an Indian FTR750 at all races the team participates in for the 2019 American Flat Track Twins season. The bike must maintain the original red, white and black paint scheme and include the full “Indian Scout” logo across both sides of the tank panel. Additional logos on the bike are acceptable, but must be pre-approved by Indian Motorcycle Racing. Furthermore, riders must wear three Indian Motorcycle patches, including one on the upper chest on either the left or right side, as well as one on both shoulders.
