Harley-Davidson Predicted to be Title Sponsor of GNC1
Fans of the American bike maker will be pleased to note that, according to an AMA Pro Racing press release posted on Cycle World, the organization has named Harley-Davidson® the new major sponsorship title of AMA Pro Flat Track’s premier GNC1 class for the 2015 season. (1)
What It All Means
The fact that Harley® will grace the Grand National Championship is big news. H-D® will be part of an important event this season, where the flat track racers — the best in the world — compete in the tournament for a highly-respected distinction that dates back to 1954. The renowned title of the Grand National Champion means everything to the participants. (2)
And as a result of being named title sponsor, the motorcycle manufacturer will receive a lump sum — a $100,000 bonus fund — that will be available to riders in the Harley-Davidson® GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines class. In addition, another $25K will go towards flat track racers that put H-D®’s equipment to good use during the event. (2)
Harley®'s Roots In Flat Track Racing
The illustrious distinction of being named title champion may date back 61 years but AMA Pro Racing is not the only company with so much history behind it. Harley®’s roots go as far back as 1903, and the bike maker has 668 GNC1 main event wins under its belt. (1)
H-D® also had a dirt track racing team known as “The Wrecking Crew,” which was established long before the AMA came in around the mid-1950s, according to Motorcycle USA. And if you remember “Smokin’” Joe Petrali — the man who won all 13 rounds of the National Dirt Track Championship race in 1935 on one bike brand — he also managed to snag the title for five consecutive years between 1932 to 1936, while racing on his weapons of choice: Harley-Davidson® (and Excelsior) motorcycles. (3)
An American Icon
With this in mind, it should come as no surprise that Michael Gentry, Chief Operating Officer of AMA Pro Racing, said that “Harley-Davidson® is an iconic brand and represents the tradition, history and lifestyle that has been synonymous with dirt track racing for decades.” The company also said that H-D® is the most successful marque of motorcycle in the AMA Pro Flat Track series. (2)
Check out H-D®’s new motorcycle lineup at Adamec Harley-Davidson® of Baymeadows, Orange Park, Regency and St.Augustine today! (4)
________________________________(2) “FLAT TRACK: Harley-Davidson® Named Title Sponsor of GNC1 Class” Cycle World.