One of the world's most revered brands, Harley-Davidson have joined ANDRA Championship Drag Racing in a move seen as a new phase of motorsport involvement for the motorcycle company. Harley-Davidson's association will be on multiple levels for the 2008/2009 Championship season.

 

As part of their integrated sponsorship package, Harley-Davidson will receive the naming rights to the ANDRA TV Replay Segment. This will see the highly recognisable Harley-Davidson logo graphic appear on all replay screens during the ANDRA Championship Drag Racing television program. 

 

Harley-Davidson will in addition to this be running their 'Dyno Challenge', where spectators are invited to test their skills for reaction time and speed down a virtual quarter mile stage. This fun interactive challenge allows spectators to experience the power of a Harley-Davidson, as well as get a glimpse of what drag racing is like. The Dyno Challenge will appear nationally at the Fuchs Australian Nationals and Summernationals in Sydney 2008 and Westernationals in Perth and Winternationals in Queensland 2009.

 

"The Harley-Davidson experience will give drag enthusiasts the chance to see, feel and hear our range of premium motorcycles. It's really about bringing the dream of owning a Harley a few steps closer to people. Once they see how awesome and affordable the new Harleys are I'm confident they'll delve deeper into the Harley lifestyle" said Marketing Manager Adrian O'Donoughue.

 

Harley-Davidson has always had a strong presence in Australian motorsport and this involvement with drag racing is one which Adrian O'Donoughue feels was a natural and inevitable progression.

 

"We decided to get involved with ANDRA Championship Drag Racing simply to reach new audiences. We are already involved with various sports [MotoGP, V8 Supercars] so drag racing was really another natural extension for the brand to help get ourselves out in front of people who are involved with or into drag racing and could be into bikes or Harley-Davidson's".  

 

To recognise Harley-Davidson's involvement with Australian drag racing, they will also become the Official Motorcycle of the ANDRA Championship. This officialdom will be jointly promoted and creates a unique level of national exclusivity for the motorcycle brand, which includes track signage at Western Sydney International Dragway, Willowbank Raceway and Perth Motorplex.

 

While Harley-Davidson has been involved with drag racing through people like Brett Stevens and other teams, this is the first time that Harley-Davidson has been this involved with Australian drag racing. The strategic move comes after many sponsorship packages were released by ANDRA Championship Drag Racing to those 'in the know' when it comes to Australian motorsport.

 

"I'm thrilled. We've been looking to try and get into drag racing for a long time. I think the sport is in a great place and so is Harley-Davidson in Australia and the combination is going to be fantastic" finished Mr O'Donoughue.

 

Speaking on behalf of ANDRA Championship Drag Racing and Drag Ltd, Tony Buek said "We're thrilled that Harley-Davidson has decided to be this involved with our sport. We look forward to working with them in what we believe is going to be an extremely beneficial and mutually rewarding arrangement".

 

It all starts on September 13, 2008, when the first event of the season explodes on to Western Sydney International Dragway at the Fuchs Australian Nationals.