Spirit Harley-Davidson Racer Takes First Place in Regional Competition

New VRSC V-Rod(R) Performance Incredible

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 1 -- Kevin Patterson, sponsored by Spirit Harley-Davidson in Glenshaw, recently won the motorcycle class points championship at Pittsburgh Raceway Park. Patterson, 46, of Natrona Heights, raced Harley-Davidson's newest sleek motorcycle, the V-Rod, beating out a number of sport bikes and drag bikes from around the region and taking home a first championship win for the new bike.

"The bike is outstanding and a great racing machine," said Patterson. "It has incredible engineering, performance and styling. It is extremely dependable and has a distinct hot-rod style."

Patterson has approximately 8,000 miles and more than 200 passes on his VRod. Proving the impressive reliability he has only had to replace a set of tires and the clutch. "We are currently running basically stock, whatever we have tuned into it we have taken back out with extra weight from all of the chrome that we added for our custom look." The bike consistently runs in the high elevens or low twelves at 110 to 113 MPH in the quarter mile.

He named the bike "Racing Spirit" honoring his sponsor Spirit Harley- Davidson and the owners who stand behind him-Terry and Donna Sanford. "They are quality people, and run a great business. They are a unique pair, with a passion for Harley-Davidsons and for racing in our region."

  Patterson will be racing at the following venues in 2003 and 2004:
   - Norwalk Bracket Finals -- Oct 3-5
   - Remaining events in October and November at Pittsburgh Raceway Park
   - All Harley Street Bike Nationals at Thompson and Quaker City in 2004
   - Racing at Pittsburgh Raceway Park for 2004 Points competition
   - AHDRA events in Norwalk and MIR in 2004