Erik Buell Starting New Racing Company
Erik Buell starting new racing company
More than a month after Harley-Davidson announced it will discontinue the Buell Motorcycle brand, Buells founder and former chairman and chief technical officer is establishing Erik Buell Racing in East Troy, Wis.
Erik Buell Racing will supply race-use-only parts for Buell motorcycles and perform race preparation services for engines and motorcycles. Harley-Davidson will give Erik Buell Racing license to build and sell race-only motorcycles based on the Buell 1125R.
Im looking forward to helping Buell racers keep their bikes flying, says Buell. Weve got some exciting race development projects in the works and it will mean a lot to me personally to see Buell racers competing for wins and championships in the 2010 season and beyond.
The last production street-use Buell rolled out off the line at the end of Oct. 30, two weeks after Harley-Davidson announced the end of the brand. Erik Buell will stay with the Buell Motorcycle Company until Nov. 30 before returning to his privateer racing roots with Erik Buell Racing.
Im pleased that Harley-Davidson is assisting Erik in establishing this business to continue supporting the racing efforts he has had so much passion for over the years, says Jon Flickinger, Buell president and chief operating officer. Harley-Davidson and the Buell Motorcycle Company will always be proud of their affiliation with Erik, and we wish him well in this new endeavor to support Buell racers.
The Erik Buell Racing announcement was made Nov. 20, the same day Richie Morris Racing announced Danny Eslick will ride a Suzuki GSX-R600 in the 2010 AMA Datyona Sportbike series. Eslick captured the 2009 Daytona Sportbike championship on a Buell 1125R.The championship-winning RMR crew including chief Barry McMahan and engine builder Mike Earnhardt, as well as insurance company GEICO as sponsor, will remain with the team for 2009.
I would like to start by thanking GEICO for their continued confidence in RMR, said Richie Morris. Since the October morning when I watched a video in Shelly Rossmeyers office announcing the end of Buell Motorcycle Company, I have been searching for the best motorcycle to replace the Buell 1125R and provide results on and off the track for GEICO. I think that the Suzuki GSX-R600s results last season speak for themselves regarding on-track performance. So obviously, we are excited and looking forward to seeing Danny battle up front in 2010. And I would like to add my best wishes to all my friends who worked at Buell in East Troy.
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