FEATURE I 2023 AMERICAN FLAT TRACK SEASON PREVIEW
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for liquid-cooled production-
based engines that exceed
800cc.
Together the changes are
hoped to hone the tenuous per-
formance balance while prevent-
ing the well-funded and highly
professional Estenson Racing
outfit from pursuing certain
cost-prohibitive development
paths (and potentially forcing
others to follow suit or be left
behind).
STATUS QUO
Despite the rising fortunes of
production-based racers, the
Indian FTR750 remains well
represented in its defense of the
top of the mountain.
Even in the face of concerns
of being crippled by regulations,
the FTR750 still finished 1-2 in
last year's championship while
earning five of the top seven
positions in the final standings.
And while Yamaha-mounted
Beach took more wins than any
other rider, the FTR still account-
ed for more than any other bike.
There's no denying that it took
the Indian teams some time to
adjust to their restricted reality—
the private entries especially
so—but by season's end, the
independent Mission Roof Sys-
tems Indians were fast enough
to garner three of the year's final
four wins.
Those particular development
pains are now behind them
as the rulebook is essentially
unchanged when it comes to
race-only equipment for 2023.
Mees is still Mees and the
championship favorite until
someone proves otherwise.
Behind him stands a formidable
and fleet group of privateer FTR
pilots. While no longer oppres-
(Right) Red Bull KTM is fielding
a stout Singles team with
defending champ Kody Kopp
(left) and the fast Australian,
Max Whale, who was slowed by
injuries last year. (Below) Some
things haven't changed. JD
Beach (left) and Dallas Daniels
are back with Estenson Yamaha,
and both are a threat for the
SuperTwins Championship.
