Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/687402
MotoAmerica announced that Parts Unlim- ited is coming on board as a supporting part- ner of the 2016 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Champion- ship, with the distributing giant returning as a sponsor of the sport it played a major role in until 2012. "I remember always seeing Parts Unlim- ited as a sponsor of AMA Superbike racing in its heyday," said MotoAmerica president and three-time 500cc world champion Wayne Rainey. "So it's nice to see them coming back to the sport that they were such a big part of, and we're pleased that they have the confidence in MotoAmerica to make that return. We're looking forward to an exciting season of racing, and it's great that Parts Unlimited is going to be a big part of that." Until 2012, Parts Unlimited was a major sponsor of the domestic Superbike Cham- pionship and Parts Unlimited is set to return to those levels of involvement. That involvement includes a Parts Unlimited VIP Hospitality Program that will run at Road America (the Honda Superbike Show- down of Wisconsin, June 3-5) in Elkhart Lake, Wis.; Barber Motorsports Park (the Honda Superbike Showdown of Alabama, June 10-12) in Birmingham, Ala.; and New Jersey Motorsports Park (September 9-11) in Millville, N.J. "We liked what we saw with MotoAmerica in their debut season, and we want to be a part of it," said Hylton Beattie, Parts Unlimited's Global Motorsports director. "The series is well on its way to being the premiere national road racing championship in the world, and we want to do everything we can to help them do just that." HARLEY-DAVIDSON CEO LEVATICH EARNS MANUFACTURING AWARD BY CHIEF EXECUTIVE MAGAZINE Chief Executive magazine is pleased to announce that Matt Levatich, president and chief executive officer of Harley- Davidson, has received the prestigious Leadership in Manufacturing award for Harley-Davidson's dedication and commit- ment to excellence in manufacturing. The award was given to Levatich at Chief Execu- tive's 4th Annual Smart Manufacturing Summit in Milwaukee in April. Originally from Ithaca, N.Y, Levatich was trained as an engineer. He joined Harley- Davidson in 1994 and held a variety of posi- tions in the company before being named president and CEO in May 2015. Through- out his career, he has advanced the com- pany's commitment to excellence in manufac- turing, including smart manufacturing and lean capabilities. In every Harley-Davidson manufactur- ing facility, lean manufacturing has been implemented with goals based on standard- ization, continuous improvement, built-in quality, just-in-time inventory management and people involvement. Every leader in the factory is part of a well-trained help chain to support frontline employees. The company is also committed to sustainable manufacturing practices, dramatically reducing its waste and carbon outputs. "The description of a brand as iconic has been overused, but in this case, iconic fits because the brand engenders fierce loyalty in its customers," said Marshall Cooper. The more than 100 CEOs in attendance were treated to a keynote speech from Levatich and a tour of the firm's state-of- the-art powertrain facility, as well as the Harley-Davidson Museum. "In brand rankings, Harley-Davidson is a perennial top 10 winner. The brand represents freedom, rugged individual- ism, excitement and a sense of rebellion. Levatich has had a lot to do with that suc- cess," Cooper said. KTM, HUSKY EXTEND WARRANTY ON 2017 LINEUPS Starting with its 2017 model lineup, KTM is extending the factory warranty to six months for its SX models. Manu- factured in Mattighofen, Austria, the entire range benefits from the latest extension. The war- ranty exten- sion applies to the follow- ing 2-stroke and 4-stroke motocross models: 125 SX, 150 SX, 250 SX, 250 SX-F, 350 SX-F and 450 SX-F. Similarly, the six-month extension is being added to the following 2017 Husqvarna 2-stroke and 4-stroke moto- cross models: TC 125, TC 250, FC 250, FC 350, FC 450, worldwide. DEALER MOVES VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM TO 3,500-SQ.-FT. LOCATION Bob's BMW Vintage Museum has officially moved to 10630 Riggs Hill Road Suite Y (across from Bob's BMW Motorcycles) in Jessup, Maryland. A grand opening took place May 21. The Vintage BMW Motorcycle Museum features 3,500 square feet of BMW history, showcasing more than 65 vintage and class BMW motorcycles and sidecars, memorabilia, art and much more. DIGEST 36 • June 13, 2016 • Powersports Business MOTORCYCLE www.PowersportsBusiness.com Parts Unlimited returns as road racing sponsor See Digest, Page 37 MATT LEVATICH Husqvarna's 2017 FC 450 is among the 2017 lineup receiving a factory warranty extension to six months.