Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1309849
IN THE WIND P24 Vance & Hines Concludes Partnership With Harley- Davidson Race Teams V ance & Hines announced it is splitting from long-time tech- nical partners Harley-Davidson, who will no longer field factory teams in American Flat Track and Drag Racing. This huge news for both race series, as Harley-Davidson will now be supporting racers via dealer-supported programs to grow the base of riders compet- ing. "We thank Harley-Davidson for being a partner with Vance & Hines for 20 years. Together, in AFT and NHRA, we have cel- ebrated 116 wins and 11 cham- pionships," said Vance & Hines founder Terry Vance. "Harley-Da- vidson has been one of the best partners we've ever had." Vance & Hines employees were informed that the Indy Operations Team will be refo- cused on performance products for two- and four-wheel vehicles and will be redeployed under the name Vance & Hines Racing De- velopment Center (RDC). Vance & Hines will continue its racing tradition in 2021 with sponsored riders in a variety of racing se- ries, and be the sole distributor for the sole licensee, manufac- turer and seller of Harley-David- son XG750R Production Twin motorcycles and Harley-David- son XG750R Super Twin motor- cycles. This racing variant of the Harley-Davidson Street 750 was the motorcycle that won the AFT Production Twins Championship in 2020. As for Harley-Davidson, they will no longer be involved with direct factory support in either NHRA or AFT. In a press release, the compa- ny said, "Harley-Davidson is har- kening back to the foundations of the company's competitive spirit by refocusing on building within the brand and celebrating the heritage of grassroots flat track racing by offering sup- port to its entire dealer network through the development of contingency programs. "Harley-Davidson's heritage is rich with racing lore and legacy, and throughout our brand's history, Harley-Davidson deal- ers have been the cornerstone of our racing programs," said Jon Bekefy, general manager of brand marketing. "We are excited to continue to support the XG750R racing motorcycle and NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle efforts through our dealers." "In a return to the foundations of Harley-Davidson's racing ef- forts, the company will refocus efforts by offering support dealer racing programs in 2021, includ- ing the development of contin- gency programs for AFT. To kick off, Harley-Davidson is already committed to supporting Latus Motors Harley-Davidson as they campaign their XG750R in the