The U.S. Army woefully underestimated the Indian Forces when they attacked them in the summer of 1876. The Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho overwhelmed them in giant numbers and the U.S. Army didn't stand a chance.
Ditto the Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Team in the coming 2018 Series. They don't stand a chance with the hordes of circling Indians and with the unreliable and slow XG750R by Vance and Hines. Harley really need a new motor for this game, a XRB750 if you will. Harley's venerable XR750 may save the day in the hands of the Privateers who driven by Jeffery Carver's stunning late season charge and new contingency dollars and Indian blood in the water.
Carver however has jumped ship and will be Indian mounted this coming season which should not please the official Wig Wam Racing Team as he could surely upset the apple cart for them.
Kenny Coolbeth must really be disgruntled with last years Harley Team. They put him in serious risk every race with a bike that often seized and seriously tried to kill him. Kenny will be riding an Indian with Dave Atherton supplying horsepower and reliability. I think this maybe Kenny's last season and for him to win it all on an Indian would be bitter sweet for us Harley fans but we understand and support him 100%.
The Indian Factory needs to recoup at least some of the development expense involved in their new project, so they approached every viable team in the paddock with an offer of special incentives and support to drop their Kawi and Yamaha programs. They had few takers, so the fast Japanese bike teams will still be there to hopefully win a few and keep the season intersting.
Indian have the whole gamete of potential winning riders. Harley have Robinson, Halbert and Vanderkooi who are all potential winners if they have a fast and reliable horse. Dave Zanotti's Kawi team tasted Victory twice in 2017 and I look for even more from them in 2018. Stevie Bonsey will apparently be riding the Ducati. Bonsey was back at the last race of the year after 1 1/2 years off from a broken back caused by a stupid move by one of his competitors. He was immediately fast, on an XR750 and ran third in the main to the last lap when he had a slip and ended in 4th. What a comeback ride that was ! I was at the first win for Ducati at the Prescott, Arizona National with Joe Kopp winning in fantastic form. I was also standing right there when AMA Honcho Mike Kidd walked up to the Ducati Team in Victory Circle and told them they would be restricted from then on. Talk about a swift kick to the balls. Bonsey is a Winner ( Calistoga and Tucson ) and with the right equipment and his incredible talent and drive, will win many more.
With Factory Teams, stacked decks, seven manufactures, inspired Privateers, new contingency money and full grandstands (great thanks to incredible coverage by Fanschoice TV building encouragement for fans to actually go to the races that are in drivable distance), we can look forward to one of Flat Tracks best seasons ever. It is the first day of Winter today which means Daytona is closer than ever.
Lets go Racin'
