In 1913, the Racing Department at Harley-Davidson was started with Assistant Engineer William Ottaway and racing engineer William S Harley.
2. Well, that was quick!
The next year, in 1914, the Motor Company officially threw its card into the ring. After a few years in the racing world, the HD team had made a name for themselves as the "Wrecking Crew" because of how they crushed the competition.
3. It went how fast?!
Leslie Parkhurst saddled up onto a Harley-Davidson racing motorcycle and ended up breaking 23 speed records.
If you have ever wondered how Harleys started being called "hogs," around this time the Wrecking Crew began carrying a little piglet for a victory lap after a team win. The pig was also the team's mascot.
4. Harley-Davidson Takeover
For the 1921-22 racing season, Harley riders won all eight National Championship races.
5. Legend in the Making
At this time in 1925, the Wrecking Crew added a racer who would become a superstar in the sport for some time to come. The racer was Joe Petrali who not only one day would become one of the best dirt-track racers for Harley, but also for the entire sport.
6. The Stranglehold Tightens
In 1930, all the winners of the Jack Pine endurance contest were all riding Harley-Davidson bikes, and in 1931, all of the rival domestic motorcycle manufacturers had all closed shop except for Indian. In 1932, Joe Petrali began what would become a 5-year winning streak in the AMA Grand National Championship. He also took first place in the National-Hill Climb Championships from 1932 to 1935.
7. A New Era
Petrali piloted a 61 cubic inch overhead valve-driven motorcycle to a new land speed record and then, later that day, went on to break the speed record for the 45 cubic inch engines.
In 1946, Harley brought out the 45 cubic inch flathead WR racing motorcycle. This bike went on to be one of the best and toughest racing motorcycles ever made.
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