For the Factory Harley Team on their XC750R winning the whole shebang is minimal at best. My prediction is they will revert to the tried and true and competitive XR750. Winning on the Vance and Hines tuned XRs is improbable, due to the atrocious reliability of Brad Baker's Factory Ride in 2016. More likely a Privateer team on XR750s will come to the fore front and put pressure on the Indian squad, or maybe a fast Kawi or two will surprise us all.
I predict Brad Baker will win on his new and potent Indian . He is the hungriest and has the most to prove and he is one hell of a racer on anything he throws his leg over. Look for #6 the become No.1 in 2017. In the above photo, I captured a very important moment in Brad's career. His first official laps on a Twin. He is riding Stevie Bonsey's, #80 Dodge Bros Harley, at the first Calistoga Half Mile in 35 years. This was the start of something big. The young man rolled out onto the perfectly prepared clay half mile and as hoped, ripped off some smooth and spectacularly fast and highly competitive laps. It did not take long and "The Bullet", with extreme skill and effort, attained the National Championship and the Big No.1 Plate. I think he will do it again in 2017.
The Grand National Champion flies around the Pomona Half Mile.
