Photo above by Brian J. Nelson Photography James Rispoli Leads Harley-Davidson Fans on Springfield Mile Ride to The Race
MILWAUKEE (September 9, 2026) – Harley-Davidson was awarded the 2026 Mission AFT SuperTwins Manufacturer Championship following the final race of the season at the Springfield Mile in Springfield, Ill. The award was presented by AMA Pro Racing at its season-closing banquet on Sept. 7. The Springfield Mile double-header weekend also featured the final Harley-Davidson Ride to the Race rally of the season, which saw Harley-Davidson champion racer James Rispoli lead a group ride along historic Highway 66 from Conrad’s Harley-Davidson in Shorewood, Ill. to the track.
Harley-Davidson earned 331 manufacturer points in the 16-race 2026 Mission AFT SuperTwins championship to win the manufacturer title by 17 points over second-place Yamaha. Latus Motors Racing/Harley-Davidson/BMC Racing rider Kody Kopp led all Harley-Davidson racers with 274 total season points and a second-place position in the final standings. Kopp, a three-time AFT Singles champion, had a spectacular rookie season in the premier AFT SuperTwins class, riding a Harley-Davidson® XG750R motorcycle to three race wins and six additional podium results. Kopp, the 21-year-old son of Joe Kopp, who raced a Harley-Davidson® XR750 to win the 2000 Grand National Championship, led the series for the first half of the season. Super.com/RWR/Rocket Doctor rider Briar Bauman battled for the Mission AFT SuperTwins championship all season, scoring 270 total points to take third place in the final standings. Bauman, a two-time Mission SuperTwins champion, rattled off five consecutive race wins between April and June on a Harley-Davidson XG750R motorcycle and finished the season with six race victories and six additional podium results.
Participants in the Harley-Davidson Ride to the Race rally got a genuine Harley-Davidson racers perspective from Rispoli, currently a Big Diehl x Harley-Davidson Factory Racing rider in the Mission King of the Baggers series on a race-prepared Harley-Davidson Road Glide® motorcycle, the 2025 Mission Super Hooligans champion on a Harley-Davidson Pan America® 1250 ST motorcycle and the 2020 AFT Production Twins title on a Harley-Davidson XG750R motorcycle. Rispoli led 40 riders on the Route 66 Centennial Ride, a 160-mile tour from Conrad’s Harley-Davidson in Shorewood, Ill., to the Springfield Mile. Rispoli also hosted a VIP tour of the racing pits and infield area and an introduction to Harley-Davidson racers.
Final 2026 Mission AFT SuperTwins Manufacturers Points Standings
Harley-Davidson 331
Yamaha 314
KTM 229
Honda 179
Royal Enfield 125
Kawasaki 57
Aprilia 46
Suzuki 27
Company Background
Since 1903, Harley-Davidson has defined motorcycle culture by delivering a motorcycle lifestyle with distinctive and customizable motorcycles, parts & accessories, experiences, riding gear and apparel. What We Make: The World’s Best Motorcycles. Period. Who We Serve: Motorcycle Riders Worldwide. Why We Do It: To Protect and Grow Motorcycle Culture. What We Stand For: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and has a controlling interest in Harley-Davidson Financial Services and LiveWire Group, Inc. Harley-Davidson Financial Services provides financing, insurance and other programs to help get riders on the road. LiveWire is committed to developing the technology of the future and investing in the capabilities needed to lead the transformation of motorsports. Learn more at harley-davidson.com.
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