Harley-Davidson announce XR1200 prize money and tyre details

Harley-Davidson has confirmed today that the one-make XR1200 series that will run as part of British Superbike weekends in 2009 will have Dunlop solely supplying tyres for the championship.

Dunlop, who supply the OE tyres for the road going bike, will increase their presence in the domestic championship following BSB using Pirelli as a control tyre from last year.

The Birmingham-based tyre manufacture will provide full race fitting services at each round of the Harley-Davidson XR1200 Trophy runs, and each entrant will get their first front and two rear D209 GP Racer tyres free of charge at the opening round at Brands Hatch in April and the closing race of the single-make series at Silverstone in September.

“This is an exciting new venture for us,” said Dunlop UK Motorsport Manager Phil Plater.

“We have a strong heritage with Harley-Davidson through Goodyear’s flat-tracking history with the Motor Company, so this is an excellent way to rejuvenate the relationship with what promises to be an exciting one-make championship.

“It also holds significance for our race to road programme, which enables us to use motorsport technology to develop exceptional road-going products.”

Riders can also win tyres by finishing in the top four of any of the races and also by winning the Man of the Meeting at any of the rounds and an overall prize fund of £50K is up for grabs throughout the season, too.

“We are really pleased with the package we have pulled together for the series in a relatively short space of time,” added H-D UK and Ireland Marketing Manager, Greg Willis.

“Thanks to strong partnership agreements with title sponsor Henderson Insurance Brokers and tyre supplier Dunlop, we have been able to offer a very attractive prize fund package for the series.

“One issue that we were conscious of was ensuring that we did not focus all of the prizes on first place.

“Some entrants may never win a race, but that is not to say that they will not improve throughout the season or reach other achievements and we have measures in place to ensure that the rewards are distributed fairly.

“This should help to keep motivation high and provide an exciting and competitive race series on a realistic budget.”

The prize fund allocation has been confirmed as this:

First position – £2,000 plus two rear tyres and one front tyre
Second position – £1,000 plus one rear tyre and one front tyre
Third position – £750 plus one rear tyre
Fourth position – £500 plus one front tyre
Fifth position – £250
Pole setter – £250
Fastest lap – £250
Man of the Meeting – two rear tyres and one front tyre
Series winner – Harley-Davidson XR1200