Team FTF Cycles debuts XR1200 at LTA’s 2017 Maine Event, sets 8 new land speed records!

After a successful year of road racing in 2013, team FTF Cycles put their road race prepped XR1200 away with no immediate plans to return to the track. Three and a half years later, in the spring of 2017, it was decided that it was time to dust the old girl off and see what she could do at top speed. “We contacted all of the people who were there for us in our road racing efforts and they were more than happy to help us again.” stated Dan Pike of FTF Cycles. After some routine maintenance, fresh tires, a pair of clip-ons and a minor gear change, the machine was ready for an attempt at land speed. The proving grounds would be the Loring Timing Association’s “Maine Event” held at the former Loring AFB. At 2.7 miles long, the LTA race track is currently the longest asphalt LSR surface available in the world today.

July 11, 2017, Team FTF Cycles made the journey to Limestone, ME for their first ever land speed record attempt. With rider Scott Settino aboard the XR, the team was able to set 2 records in the M/PG-1650/4 class and 2 records in the M/PF-1650/4 class with a personal best top speed of 144.237 mph. Dan Pike, crew chief and owner of FTF Cycles, piloted the machine in the M/TG-1650/4 and M/TF-1650/4 classes, setting records at the mile and 1.5 mile in each of those classes, securing 4 records of his own with a personal best of 142.884 mph. Team FTF Cycles pioneered 4 separate classes, setting records for the mile and 1.5 mile recorded speed in each class giving the team 8 total records.

“Given this being our debut event, we are more than happy with the results! The bike was never intended for land speed but it’s something I’ve always wanted to pursue. It seemed like the next logical step for our XR. The engine size that we chose for road racing landed us in an open class but we wanted to secure a record that was appropriate for our machine. I feel as though we were able to accomplish that goal.” stated Dan Pike of FTF Cycles.

The 1426cc 2009 XR1200 Sportster is a bit undersized for a 1650cc class but the team at FTF is confident that with some changes to rider position and some suspension changes to get the machine closer to the ground, higher speeds are on the horizon. Team FTF plans to return to LTA’s fall event to test their theories and push the XR to the next level.

Team FTF Cycles would like to thank the many great companies who have made their race program possible such as Iron Trader News, K&N, Brock’s Performance, Darkhorse Crankworks, ThunderMax, EBC, Gilles Tooling, Chainsikle, Race Tech, Shoria, Vance & Hines, Vanson Leathers, World Wide Bearings, Amsoil and Pirtek of Avon, MA.

For information on Land Speed Racing, visit www.loringtiming.com