American Motorcycle Dealer AMD 233 December 2018 | Page 8

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Photos courtesy of American Flat Track
Indian Welcomes the
Bauman Brothers to 2019
AFT ‘Wrecking Crew’
Following a dominant 2018 season,
where the Indian FTR750 won 17 of
the 18 American Flat Track (AFT) races,
Indian Motorcycle Racing has
announced that along with the return
of reigning Champion Jared Mees,
Indian Motorcycle Racing will be
welcoming Briar Bauman and Bronson
Bauman to its 2019 ‘Wrecking Crew’
team.
Additionally, former ‘Wrecking Crew’
rider Brad “The Bullet” Baker returns
to the team as technical advisor and
rider coach.
After
back-to-back
AFT
championships in 2017 and 2018,
Mees returns to the 2019 Indian
‘Wrecking Crew’ with crew chief
Kenny Tolbert, mechanic Bubba Bently,
and Jimmy Wood on suspension. Dick
Tibbits also returns and will aid all
three Wrecking Crew riders with
nutrition, fitness and mental
preparation.
Team operations for Briar and Bronson
will be conducted by Paul Langley and
S&S, while Dave Zanotti will serve as
crew chief. Michelle DiSalvo has signed
on as Briar’s mechanic; Dean Young
returns as Wrecking Crew team
manager.
“We’re excited to bring back Jared and
his championship pedigree as we
embark on the next chapter for Indian
8
Motorcycle Racing. We welcome Briar
and Bronson and are proud to have
them represent our brand on and off
the track,” said Gary Gray, Vice
President Racing, Technology &
Service for Indian Motorcycle. “When
it comes to racing, we’ve assembled
some of the most talented
professionals in the sport, and we’re
looking forward to the upcoming
season.”
One of the key team members who will
assume a leading role as a technical
S&S President Paul Langley will be
conducting team operations for
Briar and Bronson Bauman
advisor and rider coach is Brad “The
Bullet” Baker. Indian Motorcycle
Racing is extremely proud to continue
its relationship with the former AFT
Champion and Wrecking Crew rider.
AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - DECEMBER 2018
Left to right: Bronson Bauman, Jared Mees, Briar Bauman. The 2019 AFT
season will be challenging for the Indian Wrecking Crew. Designed to
increase competition, a new rule will allow competitors using ‘production
bikes’ to run 40 mm throttle bodies, while all FTR750 riders will be restricted
to 38 mm
Baker will closely support and mentor
Briar and Bronson throughout the
2019 season by analyzing their on-
track performance, help with race-day
strategy and bike set-up. Baker brings
a championship-winning perspective
and a wealth of knowledge and
experience on the FTR750.
The 2019 AFT season will be
challenging for the Indian Wrecking
Crew due to a new rule designed to
increase competition. This new rule
will allow competitors using
‘production bikes’ to run 40 mm
throttle bodies, while all FTR750 riders
will be restricted to 38 mm throttle
bodies.
Over the last two seasons aboard the
Indian FTR750, Mees has recorded
back-to-back AFT championships and
has tallied 20 total wins. Through nine
races aboard the FTR750 as a
privateer, Briar secured six top-five
finishes, including a second-place
finish at the Peoria TT and a win at the
Williams Grove Half-Mile. Following
Baker’s injury at X Games, Bronson
filled in and ran his factory FTR750 in
the final seven races. During that time,
Bronson garnered his first top-five
finish of the season and his first career
Twins podium with a second-place
finish at the Williams Grove Half-Mile.
The 2017 Wrecking Crew swept the
season standings, finishing first,
second and third. The team earned
Indian Motorcycle Racing’s first
Manufacturer’s Championship. In
2018, Wrecking Crew riders and
FTR750 privateers swept the top-nine
positions in the final standings,
securing another Manufacturer’s
Championship for Indian Motorcycle
Racing.
www.AMDchampionship.com