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The August 2026 Issue #337 is our 28th Anniversary Issue and is packed with upcoming events, event coverage, biker friendly businesses, jokes, bike features and more!

The spirit of racing is alive and well in Raleigh, NC at Tobacco Road Harley-Davidson. The possibilities that have presented themselves upon the dealership’s initial collaboration with Mad Monkey Motorsports a mere two years ago have exceeded any imaginable expectations. Entering this market as a smaller team, facing opponents with substantial experience, technology, and other resources, was quite a daunting feat. But, one thing has always set this team apart from the rest- pure passion and determination. Tobacco Road H-D’s own Master Technician, Jamison Buccola, assembled a working ‘Frankenstein’-esque transmission from three broken ones in the midst of a race weekend, all while Max Flinders had excited fans wrapped around the tent waiting to meet him. The team has proven they will endure any setback thrown their way, and still eagerly deliver the best experience to fans. The team’s investments have captured attention on a national scale, and they’re utilizing this momentum to continue expanding their racing portfolio, while maximizing the opportunity to improve the customer experience at home. Racing will always come with its ups and downs, but if your heart isn’t in it, the legacy will never bloom.

The Expansion

The Mission King of the Baggers Championship was Tobacco Road H-D’s foot-in-the-door as they entered the world of racing. But the team never intended to stop there. Having great success with their initial partnership, they experimented with a fresh addition. A new bike and rider to bring more opportunities; Hunter Dunham entered the picture with the Harley-Davidson Pan America. Racing a Pan America is quite different from the Baggers, but the addition to the racing portfolio made the team more versatile as a whole. Hunter has brought a new edge to the team, and it couldn’t be more exciting. His thorough experience as a rider has made him stand out on and off the track. In partnership with ChampSchool, Hunter Dunham was able to give Tobacco Road H-D customers a taste of racing for themselves. The event, branded as a ‘Track Experience,’ allowed everyday riders to take their own bikes for a spin around a racetrack. Utilizing the controlled conditions and expertise from the coaches, the riders were able to leave the experience with an improved skill set to ride safer and have even more fun on a motorcycle. Having Hunter as a part of this experience allowed customers to see the practical implications of racing. The skills that allow racers to reach maximum speeds on the track can be transferred into practical skills for typical street riding. Racing has always been cool to watch, but the team at Tobacco Road wants to curate a new environment that allows riders to feel a connection with the team and the sport. Hunter has been a great asset in bridging that gap between the racing world and the everyday bike enthusiast!

Gaining Traction

As Tobacco Road’s racing portfolio expanded, they’ve gained traction and attention. The dealership never wanted to approach this partnership with an ordinary mindset. The goal was always bigger, bolder, and to push the traditional boundaries of what being part of a race team means. The team has grown a lot over the years, and with growth comes attention. So much so that the dealership based out of Raleigh, NC, caught the eye of Harley-Davidson Headquarters. Being personally selected for the company’s board of operations ‘Town Hall’ meeting, which included appearances from freshly appointed CEO Artie Starr and household Harley-Davidson name Karen Davidson. This was one of the highest honors bestowed upon the dealership, receiving national recognition from the brand for emphasizing the use of racing as a tool to get enthusiasts more excited about what it means to purchase a bike from Tobacco Road. Within this same year, the dealership was also honored to hand over a key piece of Ray Price’s legacy to the Harley-Davidson Museum. His iconic drag bike, the ‘Funny Bike,’ is now on display front and center, in honor of former owner Ray Price’s contributions to drag racing. Racing as a whole has always been a core component of Harley-Davidson history. Paving the way for innovations that are now available on the showroom floor. Harley-Davidson Factory Racing has likely evolved beyond the comprehension of the founders, from the early 1900’s days of dirt tracks with a backyard shed to house their inventions, to becoming a top contender in the King of the Baggers Championship. Although Harley-Davidson is invested in the Factory Racing Team, they have been incredibly supportive of Tobacco Road and Mad Monkey Motorsports continuing to develop their own racing brand. Harley-Davidson was founded on innovation and invention from a small team that continued to grow into the company we know today. By welcoming other Harley-Davidson race teams, instead of just viewing them as competition, the foundation the brand was built on continues to flourish decades later.

Putting the Customer in the Saddle

Much like the founding fathers of the Harley-Davidson brand, Tobacco Road believes in the connection between racing and innovation. Harnessing the power of practicality to provide customers with top-of-the-line products that have been tested and approved under high speeds and harsh conditions. A prime example is Tobacco Road’s endorsement of the aftermarket parts company ‘Lyndall Brakes’. Paul Lyndall provides multiple high-quality parts that we utilize every race. The monolithic wheel holds strong despite the immense wear and tear that comes with ripping a race bike around the track at maximum speed. The dealership utilizes this environment to see which products can stand the test of racing, and in turn stand the test of time on the open road for customers. The dealership prides itself on using investments at the track to bring home the best investment for every rider that walks through the doors.

The Home Team

Providing top-of-the-line parts to customers is just part of the story. The dealership harnesses the power of racing to improve every department. In the Service department, Jamison is both a Master Technician in the paddock and back home at the dealership, providing excellent service to every bike that comes her way. As her knowledge and experience continue to grow, so does her capacity to ensure that when a bike leaves our lot, it’s good for the long haul. Members of the Sales and Riding Academy teams participated under Hunter Dunham’s instruction with ChampSchool to sharpen their skills and become better advisors to new and experienced riders. The ability for a customer to walk through the doors and engage with a staff member who has ridden alongside and learned from an experienced racer is a valuable perspective the dealership wants to offer to its patrons. When seeking a new bike, you want to talk to someone knowledgeable about the product, but by adding racing to the mix, the dealership has curated a new level of expertise for staff members. You can visit the dealership and purchase a bike model that is currently racing around the country from a staff member who has seen what they’re fully capable of; it doesn’t get much better than that! Making the race world accessible and beneficial to the everyday consumer has always been the dealership’s top priority; as they always say, race on Sunday, sell on Monday (except Tobacco Road is closed on Monday, so they’ll see you Tuesday!).

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