THE CREW BEHIND THE KINGS: INSIDE HARLEY-DAVIDSON FACTORY RACING

You know the names on the bikes. But behind every lap, every win, and every #1 plate is a crew of relentless builders, thinkers, and problem-solvers who live and breathe this program.

They’re the heartbeat of Harley-Davidson x DynoJet Factory Racing. The engineers, mechanics, crew chiefs, and support staff turn long nights off the track into race-day glory on it.

This Q&A spotlights just a few of the many people who make Harley-Davidson x DynoJet Factory Racing what it is and offers a glimpse behind the curtain at who they are, how they contribute, and what life looks like when during the “off-season.”

(Spoiler: There is no “off-season.”)

DAVE HOPKINSON:
Chief Race Mechanic, Harley-Davidson Factory Racing

Q: What’s your name, and what’s your role on the Harley-Davidson Factory Race Team?
Dave Hopkinson, Chief Race Mechanic.

Q: What rider do you crew for?
I build the #33 (now #1) bike for Kyle Wyman.

Q: Looking back on this season, what was the coolest moment for you?
It’s been a season full of special moments, so it’s hard to name just one. Saturday’s result at Road America was very special for everyone — a podium lockout with all the bikes in the special paint, and with the Davidson family not only in attendance but in the winner’s enclosure, was incredible.

Of course, seeing Kyle take the #1 plate back at COTA was incredible on every level after all the effort — elation and relief all rolled into one. On a personal note, my dad traveling from the UK and getting to see the last round at New Jersey was fantastic.

Q: What’s the best part of being in the paddock on race weekends?
I spent the majority of my childhood in race paddocks and have spent most of my working life in them. I feel at home there, and the majority of my friends over the years have been spread across paddocks all over the world. Moving to the U.S. was tough for a number of reasons, and starting life in a new paddock and a different country wasn’t easy.

Over the last five years, though, I’ve made great new friends here in the U.S., and that sense of community and friendship, especially within the team, is still my favorite part of it.

Q: How did your passion for motorcycling lead you to this position?
My dad raced in the ’70s and was a mechanic in the British 500 Championship when I was a kid — that’s why I grew up at the tracks. In my early 20s, I started helping friends race, and over the years what began as a weekend hobby became a full-time career. That eventually led me to the Isle of Man TT, North West 200, British Superbike Championship, and World Superbike Championship.

When I moved to the U.S. in 2020, I went to work for Kyle, building his Ducati Superbikes. At the end of 2021, he brought me into the King of the Baggers program as his chief mechanic — and here we are, four years later.

Q: What are you most looking forward to this off-season?
We all love a little time off during the off-season. This year, I’ve spent some time with my dad, who visited from the UK. Now, though, it’s back to work — and although I like going testing, my favorite part of winter is always building and developing brand-new race bikes for the coming season. That’s the part I really enjoy.

This winter, as an added bonus, we also get to move into our own dedicated workshop — something we’ve all been looking forward to.

CARL VANDERVORT:
Lead, Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Program

Q: What’s your name, and what’s your role on the Harley-Davidson Factory Race Team?
I’m just Carl! I’m the lead on the Race Program, where I wear a lot of different hats. I manage a lot of the day-to-day logistics and operations for the team, ultimately making sure we’re as ready as possible to execute at the track. I like to say I get s*** done and make sure we have our act together.

Q: What’s your role at Harley-Davidson Motor Company?
Beyond race prep and track support, I lead the commercialization strategy for the program, bringing the technology we develop on the track back to the street. Most notably, I led the CVO Road Glide RR project from concept to launch.

Q: What rider do you crew for?
You could say I crew for every rider. At the track, I manage all the wheels and tires — a nonstop job — making sure we’re ready to go with the right tires for each session. I’m also the “transmission guy,” building the race-spec transmissions and customizing them for each rider where we have the leeway to do so.

Q: What’s going through your head while the riders are out on track during a race? Is it any different from testing or qualifying?
Throughout my time on the team, I’ve also managed each rider’s pit board. The boards display critical information for the riders as they cross start-finish and are really our only way to communicate with them while they’re out on track. So, I’m constantly monitoring positions, split times, and running order to get them the most up-to-date information as the race unfolds. At test events, we’re constantly looking, listening, and feeling to understand how the improvements we’re testing are impacting the bike and rider.

Q: How did your passion for motorcycling lead you to this position?
I love motorcycles, and these bikes are undeniably awesome. Who wouldn’t want to be involved with them? But for me, it’s almost about more than the bikes. It’s about doing things nobody thought possible, pushing limits, redefining boundaries, and forming a bond with the people who are in it with you. To do that under the banner of this historic company and carve out our little slice of history — even on the bad days — is such a privilege and incredibly fulfilling.

Q: What are you most looking forward to this off-season?
The work never stops! The off-season is often one of the busiest and most hectic times of the year. But I’m really excited to see our new space at Juneau Ave come alive as we begin building bikes for the 2026 King of the Baggers and Bagger World Cup seasons.

JASON MOTAL:
Chief Mechanic, Harley-Davidson Factory Racing

Q: What’s your name, and what’s your role on the Harley-Davidson Factory Race Team?
Jason Motal, Chief Mechanic for Harley-Davidson Factory Racing.

Q: What’s your role at Harley-Davidson Motor Company?
My official title is Staff Technical Specialist — just a fancy way to say “mechanic.”

Q: What rider do you crew for?
I’m the lead mechanic for #38, Brad Smith.

Q: What’s the best part of being in the paddock on race weekends?
All the fans.

Q: How did your passion for motorcycling lead you to this position?
Motorcycles are awesome!

Q: What are you most looking forward to this off-season?
What off-season?

ALEXCIS SCHULTZ:
Secondary Mechanic, Harley-Davidson Factory Racing

Q: What’s your name, and what’s your role on the Harley-Davidson Factory Race Team?
My name is Alexcis, and I’m the secondary mechanic for #38, Bradley Smith.

Q: What’s your role at Harley-Davidson Motor Company?
I work for the race team and at Harley’s Arizona Proving Grounds as a Vehicle Test Systems Mechanic.

Q: What’s going through your head while the riders are out on track during a race? Is it any different from testing or qualifying?
Anytime our rider leaves the hot pit, the grid, or our paddock, I’m constantly running through everything we’ve done to the bike before he left and prepping for any potential changes or swaps we might need to make. During the race, I’m especially focused on being ready for any possible restart situation.

Q: How did your passion for motorcycling lead you to this position?
My family has been racing since the 1950s. Growing up at tracks all over the country, I developed a passion for motorcycles and racing that eventually led me to where I am today.

Q: What are you most looking forward to this off-season?
This off-season, I’m looking forward to finishing up my forever project bike, and having my baby girl.

BJORN CHRISTENSEN:
Lead Crew Chief, Harley-Davidson Factory Racing

Q: What’s your name, and what’s your role on the Harley-Davidson Factory Race Team?
Bjorn Christensen — no magical nicknames; “Bjorn” usually doesn’t get confused with many people. I’m the Lead Crew Chief for Harley-Davidson Factory Racing and specifically for Kyle Wyman.

Q: What’s your role at Harley-Davidson Motor Company?
Crew Chief, H-D Factory Racing. My duties are two-fold: first, I’m crew chief for Kyle Wyman’s #33 bike, determining setup and working directly with Kyle to translate what he wants the bike to do into how we configure it for each session.

I also direct race-day preparation and operations for the team, manage testing activities and goals, and help guide bike development. When I’m not at the track or in meetings, I spend my time running computer simulations for setup, analyzing test data and motorcycle kinematics, writing code to predict performance, and generally nerding out.

Q: Looking back on this season, what was the coolest moment for you?
The absolute coolest moment was the podium lockout at Road America Race 1. It was incredibly special — we shared it with Willie G. and the Davidson family, the employees who support our team, and our own families who came out to watch. To top it off, it all happened at the best track in the country. Not sure what could be better.

The most personally satisfying moment was sitting on the championship podium with Kyle at New Jersey after all the celebrations ended, reflecting on what we’d accomplished. The journey since the last time we achieved our ultimate goal had been a tumultuous one that fell painfully short each of the previous three years, despite having a championship-level bike and team. It’s rare that everything slows down enough on a race weekend to let you soak in the moment — this was that moment.

Q: What’s going through your head while the riders are out on track during a race? Is it any different from testing or qualifying?
My head is not a place I’d wish anyone to have to navigate during races. My brain never lets me relax, and that’s amplified when Kyle’s out on track. I’m constantly watching gaps, sector times, and how they compare to previous sessions, and scanning camera feeds to see how the bike setup is behaving.

Then there are moments when that analytical mindset gets thrown out the window, emotion takes over, and I’m just along for the ride like an overly invested Little League parent. As stressful as that is, it’s also a little relaxing. At that point, it’s all up to Kyle, and there’s no one else I’d rather put my faith in.

My focus during practice and qualifying is much more businesslike and calm. I need to understand our progress with setup and ensure we have a plan to meet our goals for each session — what tires we need ready and when, what suspension changes to make based on Kyle’s feedback, or how to determine the right tire for qualifying versus race distance. The key is to be ready for any circumstance and react quickly and calmly so we make the most of the limited time we have to dial in the bike.

Q: What’s the best part of being in the paddock on race weekends?
The best part of being in the paddock is realizing your office is loud, fast, and filled with passionate motorcycle people — so much better than sitting in a cubicle from nine to five. I try to take five or ten minutes each weekend to cruise around the track on foot or scooter, take in the atmosphere, and appreciate how fortunate I am to do what I do.

Q: What are you most looking forward to this off-season?
Off-season ended on September 30, but I’m looking forward to figuring out how to make our bikes even faster for 2026.

WES ORLOFF:
Calibration and Electronics Race Engineer, Harley-Davidson Factory Racing

Q: What’s your name, and what’s your role on the Harley-Davidson Factory Race Team?
Weston (Wes) F. Orloff — most people call me Wes or WFO, except for our British rider Bradley Smith, who calls me “Weston” because it “sounds more posh.”

Q: What’s your role at Harley-Davidson Motor Company?
I have dual roles: I’m a staff engineer with the OEM Calibration and Performance Group, and within the race team, I serve as the calibration and electronics race engineer.

Q: What’s going through your head while the riders are out on track during a race? Is it any different from testing or qualifying?
Honestly, when the riders are out on track, it’s sometimes the only free moment you get over the weekend. We’ve done our job to the best of our ability, and it’s now in the riders’ hands. The focus, desire, and work ethic are the same for a race, practice, qualifying, or testing. Testing can actually be the most strenuous from a planning and development standpoint. A lot of people don’t realize it from the outside, but you win championships in testing.

Q: What’s the best part of being in the paddock on race weekends?
The opportunity to represent Harley-Davidson on such a competitive stage — there’s nothing like it.

Q: What are you most looking forward to this off-season?
There is no off-season! This year, we were testing two weeks after our last race, and we’ll test three or four more times before the first race in Daytona in March. The defense of our #1 plate starts now! let’s go!!

KEVIN “GOOSE” GAIKOWSKI:
Mechanic, Harley-Davidson Factory Racing

Q: What’s your name, and what’s your role on the Harley-Davidson Factory Race Team?
My name is Kevin “Goose” Gaikowski — most people just call me Goose. I’m a mechanic for the Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Team.

Q: What’s your role at Harley-Davidson Motor Company?
As a mechanic, I work on all the race bikes — building them from the ground up, assembling parts, changing engines, organizing components, and handling whatever tasks the team needs done.

Q: What rider do you crew for?
At the track, I’m the second mechanic for Kyle Wyman.

Q: Looking back on this season, what was the coolest moment for you?
Achieving my goal and getting the #1 back for Harley-Davidson. Locking in the championship at COTA was pretty amazing

Q: How did your passion for motorcycling lead you to this position?
Growing up on a dairy farm in a small town in South Dakota, I knew early on that I wanted to work on motorcycles. I worked at a few different motorcycle shops over the years and never thought it would lead me to where I am now.

Q: What are you most looking forward to this off-season?
For me, there is no off-season — the work doesn’t stop.

MATTHEW MUELLER:
Engineering Manager, Harley-Davidson Factory Racing

Q: What’s your name, and what’s your role on the Harley-Davidson Factory Race Team?
Matthew “Matt” Mueller — Engineering Manager, Racing.

Q: What’s your role at Harley-Davidson Motor Company?
Until recently, I was the Powertrain Lead Staff Engineer for Racing. In that role, I worked with our engineers, designers, and technicians at the Product Development Center to design and develop our race engines — especially the Milwaukee-Eight 131R. That includes dynamometer development, component testing, data acquisition, and predictive analysis. Building our race engines requires collaboration across the talents at PDC Engine Build, Pilgrim Road, and our performance parts suppliers.

Now, as the manager of HDFR Engineering, my responsibilities include the design of our race bikes, LCP projects (think CVO 131RR), and other HDFR products.

Q: What rider do you crew for?
I support each of our riders in my role as an engineer. On race weekends, I work on the grid crew and pit board for Kyle Wyman. If there’s an issue with the engines during a race weekend, I’m sometimes called in as a mechanic — hopefully, that doesn’t happen too often!

Q: What’s going through your head while the riders are out on track during a race? Is it any different from testing or qualifying?
During a race, I work with Dave Hopkinson, Chief Mechanic for Kyle Wyman, on updating Kyle’s pit board. We work together to give Kyle accurate information about the on-track situation. The pit board is our primary means of communication with the riders since radios aren’t allowed. Working the pit board keeps my mind focused — once the race starts, Dave and I are still active participants with Kyle.

Q: How did your passion for motorcycling lead you to this position?
As soon as I heard that a bagger road racing series was starting in 2020, I was in! At that time, I presented Jason Kehl with a list of powertrain updates I thought might be needed to make the Milwaukee-Eight suitable for racing. By the 2022 race season, I was working full time on the race team.

I was also part of the Milwaukee-Eight engine design team, and road racing was never an application we had considered. My passion is turning a great Harley-Davidson touring bike into a great Harley-Davidson race bike. We work to give our riders the weapon they need to win for Harley-Davidson.

Q: What are you most looking forward to this off-season?
Racing development continues year-round, but when I’m home, I plan to work on my car and motorcycle projects. By Christmas, I’ll have my feet up by the fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate.