Taking a base model Scout Bobber named
Appaloosa, Indian Motorcycles and Workhorse Speed Shop turned the sprint racer
into a speed machine on ice. Running with studded wheels, Appaloosa – an
American horse breed best known for its colorful spotted coat pattern – was
taken to Lake Baikal in Russia for a shakedown run ahead of its intended public
race at the Sultans of Sprint race.
The Lake Baikal Mile is held from February
25 to March 1 and competitors run a 1/8-mile and 1-mile course on the frozen
waters of the world’s largest freshwater lake by volume. Now in its second
edition, the Baikal Mile also features stunt riding, drifting, drag racing,
flat track and freestyle motocross.
Appaloosa made its debut last year at
Sultans of Spring at the Waves and Wheels event in Biarritz, Spain, piloted by
500 GP legend Randy Mamola. Taking 700 hours to build, Appaloosa was unable to
be fully tested before the 2019 race and builder Brice Hennebert wanted to give
Appaloosa a proper test before competition proper.
With support from partners Akrapovic,
Beringer Brakes, Dunlop Europe, Evok3 Performance, Motorex, Öhlins and tuning
advice from Flybike, Appaloosa was shipped to Baikal in February. Hennebert and
friends Sébastien Lorentz and Dorsan “DJ Peeta Selecta” arrived in Baikal to
face minus 25 degree Centigrade temperatures.
After a technical inspection and shakedown
1/8-mile run, Lorentz took Appaloosa out on the mile course. Adjustments to
tyre pressure, tyre stud placement and ECU mapping gave Appaloosa a final run
of 180 km/h.