whiskey hill thunder

NASCAR-TOP FIVE

March 8th

 Driver                Points

1. Harvick           644

2. Kenseth           618

3. Biffle               585

4. Johnson            570 

5. Bowyer               558

 HARLEY DAVIDSON SLIMMING DOWN ITS OPERATIONS

Harley Davidson is scaling back its operations to concentrate on its core Harley Davidson Brand. The Company is shutting down its Buell line and selling its Italian brand, MV Agusta. Harley shut down Buell's operations on October 30th. Harley is shopping around the MV Agusta, the Italian Motorcycle company it acquired in 2008.

MV Agusta is known in Europe for its premium, high performance sport motorcycles. Since Harley bought MV Agusta, the Italian Manufacturer has restarted production operations and product development. This has resulted in the introduction of updated models. However, MV Agusta lost the serveices of designer Massimo Tumburini, who retired at the end of 2008. Even with Tumburini's retirement the 2010 models include many of the styling cues he introduced.

Harley believes that investment in its flagship Harley brand is a better utilization of overall company resources. This belief is the likely reason for the consolidation. By selling non core brands Harley more then likely feels they can free up resources for their core operations.

Erik Buell the founder of Buell motorcycles is statrting his own racing team. This operation will supply race-use-only parts for Buell motorcycles and perform race preparation services for engines and motorcycles. Harley will give Erik Buell racing license to build and sell race only motorcycles based on the Buell 1125R.

UPCOMING NASCAR RACES

March 7th:      Kobalt Tools 500

                      Atlanta Motor Speedway

                      Hampton, Ga

March 21st:     Food City 500

                       Bristol Motor Speedway

                       Bristol, Tn  

March 28th:      Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500

                        Martinsville Speedway 

                        Martisville, Va     

April 10th:         Subway Fresh Fit 600

                        Phoenix International Raceway

                        Avondale, AL

April 18th:         Samsung Mobile 500

                        Texas Motor Speedway

                        Fort Worth, TX

April 25th:        Aaron's 499

                       Talladega Super Speedway     

                        Talladega, AL