During X Games Austin last June, Harley-Davidson launched its Street 750 – a bike that goes against the norm of the typical cruiser styling associated with The Motor Company.
Set up correctly, the Street 750 also makes the ideal flat track racer. During the Austin launch, Harley had a few Street 750s on hand that were flat-track prepped with Vance & Hine Exhaust and Ohlins Suspension. It also had a couple of its top AMA Pro Flat Track racers there, including Brad “The Bullet” Baker.
The reason for the Flat Track machinery and riders like Baker? How about an X Games Flat Track Exhibition Race? Following the race, Harley asked fans to use the #XGamesFlatTrack hashtag on Twitter and Instagram to show their support. If the event garnered enough popularity, Flat Track Racing would become part of the 2015 X Games Austin.
Thousands of fans spoke, and it’s now official – Harley-Davidson Flat Track Racing will be an official competition June 4 during ESPN’s X Games Texas.
“This June, fans in Austin will experience a new kind of action sport as they watch top athletes in flat- track race for gold,” said Dino Bernacchi, Director U.S. Marketing, Harley-Davidson Motor Company. “Words can’t explain the rush of watching these athletes riding within inches of each other, kicking up dirt and carving through corners. It’s pure adrenaline-charge action.”
Harley says the inaugural race is an invitational format, with athletes from around the world receiving the opportunity to be part of the action. And since Harley has spearheaded the effort, what better gift for the Gold Medalist than a new Street 750?
Baker of the Harley-Davidson Factory Flat Track Team will compete during X Games Austin; he’ll pilot a Harley XR 750.
“This is great for our sport. X Games is about performance, and flat-track racing is the perfect addition to this competition, allowing athletes from around the world to showcase just how they push the boundaries in their sport,” Baker says.
The Harley-Davidson Flat-Track Racing competition is scheduled to air on ESPN at 9 p.m. EST June 4. For details on the race and a list of invited flat-track athletes, visit xgames.com. PLEASE NOTE: This information is subject to change. Tickets for Harley-Davidson Flat-Track Racing are available for purchase starting April 15 at www.ticketmaster.com/xgames.
Invited X Games Athletes take to Twitter
On April 16, from 1 to 2 p.m., fans are invited to join two of the sport’s undisputed experts, 2013 and 2014 Pro Flat-Track Grand National champions, Brad Baker and Jared Mees who are taking to Twitter to talk about the X Games Austin flat-track announcement. Questions can be submitted starting today and throughout the live Q&A session by using #XGamesFlatTrack on Twitter.
