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Harley-Davidson Sportsters Return to Track in 1998

11 February 1998

WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- The Harley-Davidson 883 Sportster engine has over thirty years of history behind it. Now known as the "evolution motor," the 883 made its debut on the 1957 Harley-Davidson Sportster and has been continuously developed and refined to its present-day use on both road and track. In recognition of that history and with the support of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company, in 1998 the former AMA 883cc National Dirt Track Series will be entitled the Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance Series.

Harley-Davidson's sponsorship of the Sportster Performance Series has made possible the broadcast of 10, prime-time 1998 Grand National Dirt Track shows on ESPN2. The 1998 Grand National Dirt Track broadcast schedule will be announced at the end of February.

Davey Camlin won the 1997 883cc National Dirt Track Series title riding for the Moroney's Harley-Davidson team, and he enters the 1998 season as the reigning champion of the Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance Series. "Last year was my first racing with the 883 Sportster motor, and I fell in love with it," said Camlin. "It's an incredibly durable and dependable motor, and it's very fast, with great mid-range and top-end power."

Art Gompper, racing promotions manager for Harley-Davidson, is proud of Camlin and Harley-Davidson's racing history. "The Harley-Davidson Motor Company has been involved with AMA Dirt Track racing for a long, long time," said Gompper. "We feel the Sportster Performance Series gives dirt trackers the opportunity to excel at this great sport without spending the kind of money it takes to field a competitive Grand National Championship machine. We've already seen some bright young stars shine on the Sportster dirt-trackers, and we look forward to seeing many more."

The Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance Series kicks off May 17 at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington, Del.