According to Director of Harley-Davidson Parts and Accessories Marketing Mike Kennedy, the move comes with a renewed commitment to field a championship-caliber drag race team.

To say that we're excited about this partnership is an understatement," Kennedy said in a Harley press release. "Harley-Davidson has raced motorcycles for nearly 90 years for one purpose: to win. And the Vance & Hines organization has an unmatched winning record in NHRA drag racing."

Vance & Hines Racing, which has won 17 NHRA National Championships and has never failed to qualify for an NHRA event, will immediately begin development of the Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines Pro Stock Bike.

This is a natural fit," said Terry Vance, a former multi-time NHRA champion. "A big part of our business is designing and building performance exhaust systems for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Now Byron [Hines] and I will be able to take our racing experience and work with Screamin' Eagle to field a competitive Harley-Davidson Pro Stock bike at the top level of drag racing."

"I totally recognize the challenge of our new commitment," said Hines, who is regarded as the leading engine builder in motorcycle drag racing. "The NHRA series is extremely competitive and I'm excited with the prospects and challenge of building a winning V-twin machine."

The Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines Team will use the 2001 NHRA season as a development year, attending selected events. More information on the new Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines Pro Stock motorcycle race team will be announced at a later date, including rider selection and race dates, according to Harley.