Royal Enfield Slide School made its debut at Motorbeurs Utrecht early this year with the announcement of the collaboration with Maikel Dijkstra. Maikel will race on the 2023 European Flat Track calendar with a purpose-built Royal Enfield flat track race bike, an Interceptor Twin FlatTrack.
The Flat track series is the most prestigious flat track series outside the US and Royal Enfield are delighted to partner with Maikel Dijkstra, the reigning 2022 Dutch Flat cup winner, as well as former ADAC Krowdrace Cup winner in the Pro class and runner-up in the DTRA Euro Nationals Pro class, as part of its development program for the Twins FlatTrack.
Just like in the United States, where Flat track racing originated and was given a new lease of life by the AMA about ten years ago – and with success, almost all manufacturers are now active in the AMA Flat track – here in Europe Flat track racing is growing in popularity again.
Reason enough for Royal Enfield to follow in the footsteps of the US in the Flat track scene in Europe as well. And not only in the racing class, in addition Enfield has also started a collaboration with Maikel Dijkstra for a European Flat Track Academy powered by Royal Enfield.
This Flat Track Academy will be the driving force behind a large number of Slide School events on selected circuits in the Benelux, France and Germany. Participants, of all experience and skill levels, can reserve their place through the Flat Track Academy website.
The Slide School offers motorcycle enthusiasts the opportunity to try out flattracking for the first time, to further sharpen and/or refine their riding skills. Royal Enfield modified the Himalaya to create an FT411 model.
The specially prepared bikes were developed by professional racers in the US and England. According to the British, the Himalayan is the perfect basis for learning to slide with confidence thanks to its lightness. The FT411 will be used exclusively in Royal Enfield’s Slide Schools.
“We are very excited to partner with Maikel on this project and mark another important brand milestone in the Benelux region. The Flat Track Academy is designed to be fun and accessible, perfectly in line with Royal Enfield’s own mantra of fun and inclusiveness, supporting our mission to get as many people riding as possible.
We believe the partnership encompasses everything we value as a brand. The combination of Slide School and the Himalayan-based FT411 purpose-built motorcycles is the ideal platform from which any enthusiast rider can start racing on flat tracks, or simply hone their riding skills or become a better all-round rider.”
The Flat Track Academy is the latest experience partner to be added to Royal Enfield’s partner program to complement the already successful schools in the US and India.
“It’s a great pleasure to be working with Royal Enfield for 2023 and beyond. To be part of the 650 race program and partner with Royal Enfield is great. The package is really well put together, I’m looking forward to it We have already introduced a lot of people to Flat Track at the Motorbeurs, during the (short) clinics.
The Slide school is such a great initiative, helping to promote the sport of Flat Track in a fair, fun way for all to enjoy. As an enthusiast of the sport, I am personally very excited to help introduce Flat Tack to more people in the Benelux, France and further in Europe.”
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.