Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MSNW, Electrek, electricmotorcycles. news, RideApart. com, Motor1. com, Cycle World, motorbikewriter. com
NEWS
BRIEFS
Kudos to Hunter Mulligan, Procurement Lead at Mitchell, SD. based Klock Werks. Hunter has been recognized by Powersports Business as a " rising star " of the powersports industry as an honoree in their Under 40 Future Leaders awards program.
Appalachian Harley-Davidson has been named Title Sponsor of the Williams Grove Half-Mile. Set for Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the historic Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, the event will be officially titled the Appalachian Harley-Davidson Williams Grove Half-Mile, marking a continued partnership between Progressive AFT and one of the region ' s premier Harley-Davidson dealerships. The race schedule will include the Mission AFT SuperTwins, KICKER AFT Singles, the Royal Enfield " Build. Train. Race." and the AFT ProSport 450 class, where the sport ' s rising stars take center stage.
Progressive Insurance has returned as the title sponsor of AFT in a multi-year deal- " extending a relationship that has helped drive the series ' growth and national reach." Progressive was first named Title Sponsor and Official Insurance of American Flat Track in 2020 and has expanded its support of the sport over the years through digital initiatives.
Walking The Walk- As Ducati celebrates its 100th anniversary and enters the off-road category in the U. S. this year, Ducati North America CEO Jason Chinnock raced a 1971 Ducati 450 R / T Desmo that he had personally restored at the Biltwell 100 desert race at Shelter Valley Ca., in April. Inspired by Ducati ' s 1969 win in the Baja 500 on a Scrambler 350, the U. S. importer back then, Berliner Motors, requested the development and production of the 450 R / T Desmo, as one of Ducati ' s earliest purposebuilt, off-road motorcycles, created to capture the growing desert racing market at the time.
Mees Promotions has teamed up with Cory Texter Promotions to create an amateur race showcase at the Lima Half-Mile on Thursday, June 25. Held the day before the legendary Lima Half-Mile Grand National event, this amateur program will give riders a " premier opportunity to compete on one of the sport ' s most iconic cushion half-mile tracks." The event will also feature a final 2026 season " Road to AFT " class, where competitors will battle for a coveted top-12 transfer position into Friday ' s Grand National Triple event. Among others, Mees and Texter extend their thanks to Drag Specialties, Memphis Shades and Motion Pro.
' Custom Nationals ' Germany Goes International 31 July- 1 August, Geiselwind, Franconia, Germany
Following the impressive 200 + entries premiere in July / August 2025, the second edition of the German ' Custom Nationals ' is aiming for more international participants, both professional customizers AND private entries – to add to the status of one of the most interesting new events in Europe. Fast paced for all participants and visitors, custom bikes enter the show Thursday with the two event days Friday and Saturday seeing the judging, presentations and photo shoots for the competing bikes concerts. Additional visitor attractions include an outdoor US-Car Show, vendors and concerts. Based on one of the longest running bike shows in Germany, previously part of the legendary ' Bike and Music ' Weekend Geiselwind, Custom Nationals feature 16 different classes plus Special Awards and ' Best of Show ' trophy. The show has been ' AMD-approved ' from the start in 2025. Website information and registration form are now available in English. Last year advance entries the numbered 240 + of which 208 arrived to compete at the show. Geiselwind is situated beside Autobahn A3 between two famous heritage destinations- 45 km from Würzburg and 65 km to Nürnberg- with options to visit several local HD dealers and legendary ' old school ' parts specialist W & W Cycles. Custom Nationals is emerging as a great event at which to meet some of the best German customizers in the middle of Germany ' s customising heartland. www. custom-nationals. de
Best of Show Custom Nationals 2025- " Red Rooster ", a 1918 Model J fully handcrafted by Harley-Davidson Würzburg Village
14 AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER- MAY 2026 www. AMDmag. com