MILWAUKEE, (June 1, 2016) – With a furious burst of moto thunder Harley-Davidson® Flat-Track Racing is set to open ESPN’s X Games Austin tomorrow night. In its second year as an X Games medaled event, Harley-Davidson Flat-Track Racing will feature top motorcycle racers from around the world going head-to-head on the challenging Circuit of The Americas dirt half-mile. Competitors will race for the first gold medal awarded at this year’s X Games Austin and for a key to a new Harley-Davidson® Street® 750 motorcycle. The race will air live Thursday, June 2, on ESPN and ABC at 9 pm (CST).
Harley-Davidson is an official sponsor of X Games Austin, taking place at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, June 2-5. Featuring some of the best skateboard, motorcycle and BMX competitors, plus nightly concert events, X Games Austin is one of the world’s premier action-sports festivals.
“Motorcycle flat track racing is arguably the original action sport,” said Dino Bernacchi, Harley-Davidson U.S. Marketing Director. “The X Games provides a perfect showcase for this exhilarating motorsport and the skill and tremendous courage of these racer-athletes. Harley-Davidson is excited to be kicking off X Games Austin with the thrilling Harley-Davidson Flat-Track race. Then all weekend long, we will have a huge presence at X Games as we share our passion for competition and the freedom of the open road. Fans will want to be sure to check out our all-new XG750R flat track motorcycle, our first new flat tracker in over 40 years!”
Local Harley-Davidson dealers are drumming up excitement for the races with tailgates at their dealerships and then rides to the races, check out the H-D events webpage for specific listings. Onsite for the weekend, Harley-Davidson will be in the Galleria area with X Games athletes, its new 2016 motorcycles and the H-D™ JUMPSTART™ riding experience. Harley will also host appearances and autograph sessions with X Games athletes and a lounge area to stay cool with free giveaways and more. Fans can enter a sweepstakes to win Harley-Davidson® Riding Academy training, a VIP experience and a 2017 Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
Harley-Davidson® Screamin’ Eagle® Factory Team riders Brad “The Bullet” Baker and Davis Fisher will be part of the field racing for X Games gold. Fisher, an 18-year-old racer from Warren, Ore., will be racing aboard the new Harley-Davidson XG750R motorcycle, a new competition flat tracker powered by the 750cc Revolution X™ V-Twin engine designed for the Harley-Davidson Street® 750. Tuned for the track, this modified Revolution X engine will power the new XG750R in the extreme heat of competition as it fights to be first to the finish line.
In 2015, Baker scored a podium finish at the inaugural Harley-Davidson Flat-Track event at X Games Austin, securing a bronze medal for his third-place finish aboard his Harley-Davidson XR750 motorcycle.
“The Factory Harley team is really excited to be back in Austin racing for all the X Games fans,” said Baker, a 23-year-old competitor from Eatonville, Wash., and the 2013 AMA Grand National champion. “We raced on the new half-mile track here in April and it made for some fast and exciting action. There will be an all-star cast of premier racers, and it is going to be quite a show.”
Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle Wrecking Crew riders Kenny Coolbeth Jr. and Jake Johnson, each a past AMA Grand National champion, will join Baker and Fisher on the entry list for the Harley-Davidson Flat Track event.
For X Games ticket information and viewing schedules go to http://xgames.espn.go.com/xgames/austin/. Check Harley-Davidson.com for a full listing of this season’s AMA Pro Racing flat track events; also follow Harley-Davidson on Facebook for racing updates.
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.
