The end of January saw one of the "biggest news announce-ments to hit the Harley-Davidson and V-twin motorcycle community with the formation of the Bagger Racing League."
The announcement came at a V-Twin Only Track Day at Chuckwalla Raceway in Southern California. "The idea was to bring the V-twin performance community to a road-race track and let the world know what the upgrades are all about.
"With the help of Tony from Shred Moto Co and Eric from Jiffy Tune, the V-Twin Only Track Day hosted over 100 American big twin bikes as the series welcomed Drag Specialties as its title sponsor."
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| Eric Stahl on the Alloy Art #99 bike making it around the track at Chuckwalla Raceway on Monday, January 25 for the Bagger Racing League announcement exhibition. Photo by Justin George. |
Bagger Racing League founder Rob Buydos and Chief Operations Officer John Oakes welcomed representatives "from some of the best aftermarket parts and accessory companies and race teams in the world as they all took part in signing a commitment to race with the Bagger Racing League (BRL) for the 2021 season.
The race teams confirming their commitment to BRL included Alloy Art, Barnett, Bassani, Feuling Parts, Performance Machine, Saddlemen, Slyfox, The Speed Merchant and Trask Performance - with more teams expected to be added.
Additionally, Zach and Cory Ness (Arlen Ness Motorcycles) have signed a commitment to host a massive custom motorcycle show at the 2021 event.
"With the rise of performance baggers that we have seen over the last five years, we wanted an event that could help promote those parts that make these bikes so sought after. This is just the beginning, and I can't wait to see where it leads," said Rob Buydos, BRL founder.
"The BRL races will be 3-day events featuring the world's largest V-twin vendor village at a road racetrack, stunt shows, camping, the Arlen Ness Custom Bike Show and much more. Each event will telecast live and feature a live audience. The V-Twin Only Track Day saw over 100 riders and nine separate Harley-Davidson dealerships with staff or principals participating, with riders coming all the way from Maine.
"BRL will allow Harley-Davidson and V-twin parts manufacturers to showcase their performance parts in a competitive atmosphere. I am excited to be a part of the team and to take my passions - for events, motorcycles, sponsorship, marketing and racing - and combine them all into one loud, fast and fun weekend," said John Oakes of BRL.
Commenting on the start that Drag Specialties and their vendors gave to the concept of Bagger Racing with the King of the Baggers last year, BRL founder Rob Buydos said: "As far as King of Baggers goes, MotoAmerica is the gold standard for Superbike racing across the U.S. Bagger Racing League wants to give Harley-Davidson and V-twin riders, racers and manufacturers that same opportunity at a V-twin focused event."
The races will feature four classes of racing - Hooligan GP, which will include V-twin inspired platforms, Big Twin GP - any large displacement big twins, Stunt GP - an invitational with entrants competing in a judged stunt competition on the Friday night, then taking the same bike to the track for qualifying on Saturday and the main event on Sunday.
Finally, the Premier Class is the Bagger GP for Harley-Davidson and Indian touring bikes to duke it out in the fight for Bagger Bragging Rights!
It is hoped to be able to stage three races this first year.
The first round will take place June 25–27, 2021, at the Utah Motorsports Complex, Salt Lake City, Utah.
www.baggerracingleague.com
Feuling Contingency
Among those planning to compete at Salt Lake City in June, Feuling Parts is putting up to $5,500 in contingency cash prizes down to fourth place for riders using Feuling parts on their race bikes in all four classes. Nearly half of this goes to the Bagger GP class with the winner scooping $1,000. The Big Twin class winner will get $400, the same too for the Hooligan class winner, with $750 going to the winner of the Stunt GP.
www.feulingparts.com
Two 'King of the Baggers' Races Canceled
Originally announced as a five-race series for 2021, the King of The Baggers (KOB) races at MotoAmerica rounds have now been cut down to three.
Citing clashes with established V-twin industry mainstays such as Sturgis and track time issues, planned races at the Barber Motorsports Park and at Pittsburgh have been dropped from the schedule.
The three-race KOB schedule will now start at the Raceway Road Atlanta (April 30 to May 1), then be at Road America at Elkhart Lake in Wisconsin, June 11 to 13, before repeating its successful concept debut of 2020 at the WeatherTech Raceway, Laguna Seca, California, on July 9 to 11.