Harley enters second year as ‘Official Motorcycle’ of AFT Twins presented by Vance & HinesAmerican Flat Track and Harley-Davidson Motor Company have announced details of their 2018 sponsorship and enhancements to their coordinated marketing efforts.
Through the strategic alliance, the companies say they will “drive interest in motorcycling through experiential marketing activations around AFT at track events, while continuing to attract a new, younger demographic through broadcast and digital media initiatives.”
“Harley-Davidson’s commitment has been a driving force in the resurgence of American Flat Track,” said Michael Lock, CEO of American Flat Track. “The company’s promotion of the sport, both on and off the track, and the huge fan base they bring, has helped to make American Flat Track the fastest-growing series in professional motorcycle racing.”
For Harley, Scott Beck, Director of Global Brand Marketing, said: “As the only American manufacturer to sell motorcycles for 115 consecutive years, Harley-Davidson is celebrating more than 10 decades of going racing. Harley-Davidson and our dealers around the world race to entertain fans, grow the sport we love and inspire future generations of Harley-Davidson riders. 2018 will be an amazing year for AFT and Harley-Davidson, as well as our racers, fans and riders.”
Harley-Davidson’s sponsorship of eight rounds on the 2018 American Flat Track calendar will “give the Milwaukee-based manufacturer prime opportunities to create experiences for motorcyclists while introducing one of the world’s fastest growing motorsports to new fans. By working closely with its passionate dealer network, Harley-Davidson will drive consumer engagement through activations such as rides to the races, exclusive H-D parking corrals, special discount packages and more.
The 2018 Harley-Davidson Factory Flat Track Racing Team will combine “veteran savvy with youthful potential in a three-rider effort on all new Harley-Davidson XG750R competition motorcycles. Returning rider Brandon Robinson will be joined by seasoned pro Sammy Halbert and rising star Jared Vanderkooi on the Harley Factory squad for the coming season.
“Preparing for what promises to be one of the most competitive Flat Track seasons ever, Harley-Davidson and its Factory Team partner, Vance & Hines Motorsports, devoted this off-season to extracting more performance from the team’s Harley XG750R race bikes.”
Throughout the season, camera crews for American Flat Track’s coverage on NBCSN will capture the successes of the Harley-Davidson Factory riders both on and off the track. Additionally, fans on social media will have full access to behind-the-scenes content through Harley-Davidson’s social media channels.
At select American Flat Track events starting in Daytona, Harley-Davidson will entertain fans with the addition of the Harley Hooligans. “The Harley Hooligans represent a perfect marriage of Flat Track and grassroots racing, giving amateurs the opportunity of a lifetime as they share the stage with the world’s best Flat Track motorcycle racers.”