- First official outing of the Royal Enfield Sherpa FT Mk2 in the 2026 FIM Flat Track World Championship on May 9 in Roden (Netherlands)
- Technical basis is the Guerrilla 450 with the 452cc Sherpa single-cylinder engine producing 40 hp (29.5 kW)
- Rider Gary Birtwistle, two-time British flat track champion and founder of the Dirt Craft racing school
On May 9, 2026, Royal Enfield broke new ground. In the Dutch town of Roden, the 2026 FIM Flat Track World Championship got underway, and for the first time in the brand’s 125-year history, a Royal Enfield factory motorcycle was part of the official World Championship field. The machine that debuted on the dirt oval is called the Sherpa FT Mk2 and is based on the Guerrilla 450. The project marks a new direction for the Indian manufacturer with British roots, which in recent years has been gradually deepening its involvement in racing through flat track schools and endurance events.
Who Rides the Royal Enfield Sherpa FT Mk2 in the World Championship?
Gary Birtwistle pilots the Sherpa FT Mk2 throughout the entire 2026 season. The 36-year-old Briton is a two-time national flat track champion and founder of the Dirt Craft racing school, through which Royal Enfield has been running its Slide School program for some time. Birtwistle brings experience from races across Europe and the USA and is familiar with Royal Enfield machinery in competition: in the Twins championship, he rode a Harris-framed Royal Enfield with a 797cc twin-cylinder engine and secured three titles.
At the season opener in Roden, Birtwistle showed solid performances in the early heats, but a retirement in one of the final heats cost him a chance at the final. He finished 20th in the overall standings. For a debut on a completely new machine at a World Championship round, the result was hardly surprising, especially since the first race outing primarily served as a stress test for the entire project.
What Technology Powers the Royal Enfield Sherpa FT Mk2?
The technical foundation of the Sherpa FT Mk2 is the Sherpa platform, which Royal Enfield first used in the Himalayan 450 and subsequently in the Guerrilla 450. The liquid-cooled 452cc single-cylinder with DOHC valve train and four valves produces 40 hp (29.5 kW) at 8,000 rpm in its street version and delivers 40 Nm of torque (29.5 lb-ft). The racing version likely uses a performance-optimized derivative of this engine, although Royal Enfield has not yet published separate technical specifications for the competition specification.
Unlike the street version, the Sherpa FT Mk2 features a purpose-built tubular frame designed for maximum stability and control during slides, according to available information. Development focused on lightweight construction, traction, and smooth power delivery. Street-typical components such as lighting, mirrors, front brake, and ABS are absent from the racing version, as is customary in flat track.
How Does the Mk2 Differ from the Original Sherpa FT?
The Sherpa FT Mk2 is not the first flat tracker based on the Sherpa platform. Back in mid-2024, Royal Enfield presented the original Sherpa FT at the Bike Shed Moto Show in London, internally designated as the FT450. This first version was also based on the Guerrilla 450 foundation but featured carbon bodywork, a wider Pro Taper handlebar, and a quick throttle instead of the standard ride-by-wire throttle. Lighting, wind protection, and street-legal electronics had also been removed.
The FT450 was developed in India and was deployed through the Slide School program, where hundreds of participants learned to slide on dirt ovals under the guidance of Birtwistle and other flat track instructors. With the Mk2, Royal Enfield is now taking a significant step further: while the FT450 remained a training tool and showcase bike, the Mk2 is a racing motorcycle specifically developed for international World Championship competition.
Technical Specifications of the Street Basis (Guerrilla 450)
The following overview shows the known specifications of the underlying Guerrilla 450, on whose platform the Sherpa FT Mk2 is built:
- Engine: 452cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4 valves
- Power: 40 hp (29.5 kW) at 8,000 rpm
- Torque: 40 Nm (29.5 lb-ft) at 5,500 rpm
- Transmission: 6-speed, slipper and anti-hopping clutch
- Emissions standard: Euro 5+
- Wet weight: 184 kg (405.6 lbs)
- Seat height: 780 mm
- Display: 4-inch TFT with Bluetooth connectivity and Google Maps navigation
- Brakes: 320mm front disc (two-piston caliper), 270mm rear disc (single-piston caliper), ABS as standard
- Suspension: Showa USD fork, central shock with adjustable preload, 200 mm travel each
The racing version of the Sherpa FT Mk2 is likely to weigh significantly less than the production weight of 184 kg, partly due to the removal of lighting, ABS hydraulics, and the use of lighter materials for bodywork and wheels.
What Does the 2026 FIM Flat Track World Championship Have to Offer?
The 2026 FIM Flat Track World Championship is growing significantly. The calendar has been expanded from six to ten rounds, and for the first time in the series’ history, races will take place outside Europe. The season finale is scheduled for October 24 and 25 with two rounds in Argentina. In between, the World Championship visits Italy, Germany, Croatia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Great Britain. Races are streamed live via FIM-MOTO.TV.
Armando Castagna, Director of the FIM Track Racing Commission, spoke of an exciting phase on the occasion of Royal Enfield’s entry: “These are very exciting times for the FIM Flat Track World Championship with growing interest coming from manufacturers, riders and fans as word spreads about what a fast, spectacular and spectator-friendly series this is. The involvement of such a long-established and highly-regarded manufacturer as Royal Enfield comes at a very opportune time and is yet further confirmation of the attraction of Flat Track racing.”
Will the Royal Enfield Sherpa FT Mk2 Be Available as a Production Model?
Royal Enfield describes the Sherpa FT Mk2 in the official announcement video as a “soon-to-be-launched machine.” This suggests a planned production version. Exactly when the market launch will take place, whether still in 2026 or not until 2027, has not yet been confirmed.
In terms of pricing, the upcoming production version can be gauged from the Guerrilla 450. The Guerrilla 450 Apex, the latest model on the Sherpa platform, starts at 5,690 euros (approximately $5,960) in Germany. In the UK, the entry price is £4,995 (approximately €5,975 / $6,250), while the Apex variants in Black and Red cost £5,050 (approximately €6,040 / $6,320). Since the Sherpa FT Mk2 as a flat track variant is likely to feature a leaner equipment package, no drastic price premium over the Guerrilla 450 is expected.
The street-legal production version will need to differ from the racing version in several respects. Front brake, ABS, lighting, and mirrors are mandatory for road homologation. In addition, as with the Guerrilla 450, modern equipment details such as a TFT display with connectivity and navigation as well as a USB-C port are likely to be on board. Ready to ride with a full tank, the production version is expected to weigh around 180 kg (396.8 lbs) and, thanks to the low seat height and the A2-compliant 40 hp engine output, should be particularly beginner-friendly.
Why Is Royal Enfield Entering Flat Track Racing Right Now?
The World Championship entry coincides with Royal Enfield’s 125th anniversary year. In parallel, the manufacturer is celebrating the production milestone of 125,000 motorcycles on the Sherpa platform. In the current Brand Finance Automotive Industry Report 2026, Royal Enfield was listed as the third strongest automotive brand in the world, underscoring the company’s growing global significance.
The flat track arena is not entirely new territory for Royal Enfield. Through the Slide School program and collaboration with Dirt Craft, the brand was already active in flat track training. In the USA, Royal Enfield is also engaged as a partner of the Progressive American Flat Track (AFT) series, where the company serves as a Major Partner for the 2026 season and competes in the Twins class with the Twins FT platform. The FIM Flat Track World Championship now represents the next step: the leap from the national and regional level to the international competition stage.
The Sherpa platform has proven itself as a versatile foundation in a short time. Beyond the Himalayan 450 for the adventure segment and the Guerrilla 450 as a street motorcycle, several showcase builds have already emerged, including not only the flat track versions but also a supermoto conversion called the SM450 Urban Guerrilla. The Sherpa FT Mk2 in the World Championship is thus also a statement about the capability and adaptability of this platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What Is the Royal Enfield Sherpa FT Mk2?
The Sherpa FT Mk2 is a flat track motorcycle from Royal Enfield based on the Guerrilla 450. The machine was specifically developed for dirt oval racing and made its competitive debut on May 9, 2026, at the season opener of the FIM Flat Track World Championship in Roden (Netherlands).
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How Much Horsepower Does the Royal Enfield Sherpa FT Mk2 Have?
The underlying Guerrilla 450 produces 40 hp (29.5 kW) from a 452cc single-cylinder engine. The racing version of the Sherpa FT Mk2 uses a performance-optimized derivative of this engine, though Royal Enfield has not yet published separate technical specifications.
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When Will the Royal Enfield Sherpa FT Mk2 Be Available as a Production Model?
Royal Enfield describes the Sherpa FT Mk2 as a “soon-to-be-launched machine.” Whether the sales launch will happen in 2026 or not until 2027 has not yet been officially confirmed. The production version is expected to be priced similarly to the Guerrilla 450, which starts at 5,690 euros in Germany.
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Is the Royal Enfield Sherpa FT Mk2 A2-Compliant?
The street version of the Sherpa FT Mk2 is expected to fall within the European A2 license class with 40 hp and an estimated weight of around 180 kg (396.8 lbs). The low seat height of the Guerrilla 450 basis at 780 mm is an additional advantage for beginners.
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Who Rides the Royal Enfield Sherpa FT Mk2 in the FIM Flat Track World Championship?
Gary Birtwistle, a 36-year-old Briton, two-time national flat track champion and founder of the Dirt Craft racing school, rides the Sherpa FT Mk2 in the complete 2026 FIM Flat Track World Championship. The season comprises ten rounds across eight countries on two continents.
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