Tag Archives: championship

Events & Rallies

HARLEY-DAVIDSON AND KRAWIEC SECURE NHRA PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE CHAMPIONSHIP

3Krawiec’s Fourth Championship is the Ninth Title for the Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Team2

POMONA, Calif. (November 11, 2017) – Harley-Davidson® Screamin’ Eagle®/Vance & Hines rider Ed Krawiec locked up his fourth NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle championship today by qualifying for the Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway, giving the team nine of the past 14 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle world championships.

Krawiec will guide his Harley-Davidson® Street Rod™ competition motorcycle to the starting line for Sunday’s elimination rounds with an insurmountable points lead over his closest rival heading into the last race of the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

“This championship was won by the entire Harley-Davidson® Screamin’ Eagle®/Vance & Hines team,” said Krawiec. “We are a group of individuals who are never happy if we are not winning, and we come to work every day with that goal in mind. It’s so hard to win just one Countdown race against this very competitive field, and to win four of five is just amazing. This is a very gratifying championship.”

The Street Rod competition drag bikes are based on the Harley-Davidson® Street Rod™ production motorcycle, an agile middle-weight powered by the liquid-cooled High Output Revolution X 750 engine tuned for maneuvering through traffic and congestion.

Krawiec closed out his title run in style, charging to the top of the qualifying order with a 6.781 elapsed time (ET) in the third round of qualifying on Saturday. Krawiec started the weekend with a 150-point lead in the Pro Stock Motorcycle Countdown standings and with bonus points earned in qualifying holds an unsurmountable 156-point advantage heading into Sunday elimination rounds.1

Krawiec scored a big win at the NHRA Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis on Labor Day weekend, and that momentum propelled him into an incredible run in the Countdown playoffs. Krawiec was seeded second for the Countdown and won the opening round at Charlotte on September 17 to take a points lead he would never relinquish as he won four of the five Countdown events leading up to this weekend’s NHRA Finals in Pomona.

“We had a real struggle in the middle of the season trying to get our new motorcycles to work the way we wanted, but I really think that stretch made us better,” said Krawiec. “It caused us to look at every detail of our bikes and our tuning, which ultimately strengthened our program. Everything came together at the right time with the win at Indy.”

Krawiec, who previously won championships in 2008 and in 2011-12, joins five-time champion Harley-Davidson® Screamin’ Eagle®/Vance & Hines rider Andrew Hines and six-time winner Dave Schultz as the only racers to claim the title more than three times. Heading into the Pomona elimination rounds, Krawiec is third on the career wins list with 43, trailing Schultz (45) and Hines (47). Krawiec made his NHRA debut in 2004 and joined the Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines team in 2007. He has won each of his four championships on Harley-Davidson competition motorcycles.

Harley-Davidson and Vance & Hines Motorsports created the Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines team in 2002 to compete in the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle division. In 2004 the team was the first to win the NHRA title with a V-Twin-powered motorcycle.

The Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines team is led by Vance & Hines Motorsports owners Byron Hines and Terry Vance and crew chief Matt Hines, a three-time Pro Stock Motorcycle champion.

About Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Since 1903, Harley-Davidson Motor Company has fulfilled dreams of personal freedom with cruiser, touring and custom motorcycles, riding experiences and events, and a complete line of Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts, accessories, general merchandise, riding gear and apparel. For more information, visit www.h-d.com.

 

News

American Flat Track Community Mourns The Loss Of Nicky Hayden

Indy Mile - USGP - AMA Pro Flat Track- Indianapolis Fairgrounds - Indianapolis IN USA - August 28, 2010.:: Contact me for download access if you do not have a subscription with andrea wilson photography. :: ..:: For anything other than editorial usage, releases are the responsibility of the end user and documentation will be required prior to file delivery ::..

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 22, 2017) – The American Flat Track community is left in mourning following the tragic passing of American motorcycle racing legend Nicky Hayden and sends heartfelt condolences to the Hayden family.

Nicky’s breakout year came in 1999, when he took home his first victory in the Grand National Championship at the Hagerstown Half-Mile and was bestowed American Flat Track Rookie of the Year honors. That same year, as a privateer, he won the AMA Supersport championship and was subsequently named the AMA’s Athlete of the Year.

Over the next three seasons, Nicky perfected his craft on American dirt tracks and road courses, grabbing five more GNC victories and winning the DAYTONA 200 en route to capturing the 2002 AMA Superbike championship. In 2003, after dominating the American motorcycle racing scene, Honda tapped the rising star to join the elite Repsol Honda team in MotoGP. At 22 years old, the Kentucky Kid was introduced to the world, and his warm personality, smooth style and Southern charm quickly resonated with fans across the globe.

Four short years later, Nicky’s dreams were realized when the American prodigy captured the Grand Prix World Championship in dramatic fashion, cementing his legacy as the best American motorcycle racer of his generation.
About American Flat Track:
American Flat Track is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on American Flat Track, please visit http://www.americanflattrack.com, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, live stream the events at FansChoice.tv and catch all the American Flat Track racing action on NBCSN.
Events & Rallies, News

Las VegasBikeFest Announces Participants for Artistry in Iron, Master Builders Championship

LAS VEGAS, June 20, 2016 – Announcing the roster for the 13th annual Artistry in Iron – Master Builders Championship.  The competition will be held during the 16th Annual Las Vegas BikeFest®, September 29 – October 2, 2016.
The annual invitation only competition, sponsored by Steve Soffa Enterprises and Paughco, will include 19 award winning builders. A limited number of builders are invited to participate annually.
Artistry in Iron participants include builders that have shaped the industry and who are establishing the latest trends in custom bikes and engineering. “Each year we invite those on the cutting edge as well as some past participants and they never cease to amaze us with the incredible works of art that they bring.  We are honored that these builders have accepted our invitation,” commented event producer Mindi Cherry.  “It solidifies the importance of the Artistry in Iron championship to the motorcycle industry. There are no rules or guidelines on the builds so it is always exciting to see what rolls in.”
The bikes are judged solely by the master builders themselves, and the winner is announced on Saturday, October 3 and presented with a check for $10,000 as well as a custom designed championship bracelet created by renowned designer and master artisan Steve Soffa.  In addition, second place will receive a Paughco Custom Rigid Rolling Chassis and third place will receive a Paughco Springer Front End.   The public is invited to visit the bikes during Rally Central hours and to meet the participating builders during autograph sessions throughout the weekend.
artistryConfirmed participants include:
Austin Andrella, Austin Martin Originals – Akron, OH
Nick Beaulieu, Forever Two Wheels – Windham, ME
Paul Binford, Binford’s Custom Cycles – Manteca, CA
Johnny Branch, Branch Engineering – Wildomar, CA
JC and Jimme Lee Coen, Three Two Choppers – Fort Worth, TX
Bill Dodge, Bling’s Cycles – Tinton Falls, NJ
Adam Gaspic, Gasser Customs – North Hollywood, CA
Ryan Gore, Paper Street Customs – Grand Junction, CO
Steve Iacona, Iacona Customs – Brooklyn, NY
Johnny Mac, Johnny Mac’s Chopper House – Philadelphia, PA
Pete Pearson, Rocket Bob’s Cycle Works – England
Will Ramsey, Faith Forgotten Choppers – New Albany, IN
Aki Sakamoto, Hog Killers – Hawaiian Gardens, CA
Daniel Sanchez, Cut Throat Customs – Humble, TX
Mark Shell, Bonneville Customs – Idaho Falls, ID
Kyle Shorey, Speed Foundry of Texas – Roanoke, TX
Cristian Sosa, Sosa Metalworks – Las Vegas, NV
Kirk Taylor, Custom Design Studio – Novato, CA
Andrew Ursich, Ursich Customs – Long Beach, CA
For more information on each of the builders, visit lasvegasbikefest.com/artistry-in-iron
Las Vegas BikeFest 2016 will be held September 29 – October 2, 2016 in the heart of downtown Las Vegas on Fremont Street East.  Registration will be held at the headquarter hotel, the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino on the world-famous Fremont Street Experience. More information regarding vendor space, event registration and official hotels can be found at www.LasVegasBikeFest.com, or by calling     1-866-BIKEFEST (1-866-245-3337).
Events & Rallies

Carl Pusser is Walking Tall with his J&P Cycle Ultimate Builder National Championship

Post by Jack McIntyre: “Images copyright and courtesy of the Progressive® International Motorcycle Show®. Photos by Manny Pandya.”

Carl Pusser is Walking Tall with his J&P Cycle Ultimate Builder National Championship

Winter Storm Neptune brought a swath of snow, high winds and dangerously cold temperatures from the Midwest to the Northeast on Valentine’s weekend. Along with the snow, 60 sizzling hot motorcycles lined up at the Progressive International Motorcycle Show and competed at the J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show.

Record crowds braved the cold and icy conditions and descended on the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center outside of Chicago O’Hare International Airport to view the custom bikes and the latest motorcycle releases from the major motorcycle manufacturers.

The J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show is known for diversity. And this season-ending National Championship delivered big-wheel baggers, custom Triumphs, old school choppers, techno scramblers and a custom vintage scout. Enthusiasts were treated to a cornucopia of sights and sounds.

On Sunday at 4PM the builders congregated at the Progressive School of Rock stage for the Custom Bike Show Awards hosted by Pat Jansen and Jeff Najar. The first award handed out was the Show Dog Award. It’s provided to the builder that engages with enthusiasts and works the hardest to further their custom bike business. There were many contenders but Dave Dupor of DD Customs won the award for his efforts and he took home The Leatherworks Inc. solo bag.

The People’s Choice award went to Bryant Levant for his vintage 1971 Volkswagen trike. It’s reminiscent of a cross between Herbie and an Ed “Big Daddy” Roth build. Levant left the Chicago competition with a Special Ops vest from 5 Ball Racing Leathers and a Custom 500 lid from Bell Helmets.

Speakeasy Original awards the “Made in America” ring called Anvil to the FreeStyle winner. Speakeasy specializes in custom handcrafted jewelry made right here in the good ‘ol USA.

J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Winner: FreeStyle Class

Carl Pusser owner, fabricator, designer and engine builder of Walkin Tall Cycles took home a check for $2,000, a Speakeasy Original’s Anvil Ring and a Danny Gray seat for his green and silver 1971 Triumph. The Speedway-styled motorcycle features two-tone green and silver paint by Derrek Johnson, polished 650cc Triumph mil, hand fabricated frame, split tanks, pipes and handlebars. The bike looks like a rocket ready to blast down the highway. In addition, the 300 series rear tire adds a visual appeal.

Carl Pusser, Walkin Tall Cycles – 1971 Custom Triumph

Dave Dupor, DD Customs – ZR-1, 2013 H-D Road Glide

J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Winner: MOD Custom Class

Tony Odom, owner of Fancy Cycle, has been customizing sport bikes since 1993. He rolled in his big 2003 Suzuki Hayabusa with his little friends, two predatory arthropods. The Scorpion Bike houses two scorpions in a plexiglass case above the swing arm. The bike features an extended swing arm, 360 rear tire, custom paint, custom wheels and custom controls. The bike is big and bad but his little friends stole the show.

Tony Odom, Fancy Cycles – Scorpion Bike, 20013 Hayabusa

Wilfredo Garcia – Guess Who, 2016 H-D Street Glide

J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder: Retro MOD Winner

Bobby Middleton won the big $1,000 check for his 1954 Harley-Davidson Panhead chopper. The mil was mated to a modified 1934 H-D VL frame. The bike features narrowed springer, one-off controls, exhaust, handlebars and sissy bar. The midnight black paint almost looks wet and was applied by Max Schaaf/Kendall.

Bobby Middleton – 1954 Harley-Davidson Panhead

Allan Knapp – Lucky, 1972 Yamaha XS 650

Throughout the weekend builders were interviewed on the Progressive stage and on the red carpet next to their custom sleds. Interviews are located at custombikeshows.com and on the Ultimate Builder Facebook page.

Three classes, FreeStyle, Retro MOD and MOD Custom, are presented at each of the J&P Cycle’s Ultimate Builder competition. The bikes are sourced from the local builder community and each show has a unique selection of custom bikes. Retro MOD bikes are motorcycles older than 1984. You are only limited by your imagination with FreeStyle bikes. And bikes retaining the frame cradle and OEM engine cases are slotted into the MOD Custom class.

The Progressive International Motorcycle Shows rolls into 11 cities across the nation. The nationwide motorcycle extravaganza has something for every Powersports lifestyle and fan. Besides the nation’s largest custom bike show series, it’s the best place to experience the latest in gear, aftermarket parts and accessories. You can see the all-new models from major manufacturers and enjoy rider seminars at the main stage and much, much more. The J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show is produced by BikerPros.com.

The J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show is produced by Jeff Najar of Bikerpros.com.