MICHAEL BARNES WILL NOT COMPETE IN KING OF THE BAGGERS AT DAYTONA
As of 2/24/22, Michael Barnes and DTF Performance have been unable to negotiate contract terms for the 2022 MotoAmerica King of the Baggers Championship. It’s a very unfortunate turn of events that will prevent Barnes from building on the 2021 program he put his full focus on developing, with much success.
Michael Barnes raced under the DTF Performance / Horsepower Inc. / Hoban Brothers Racing banner last year and secured a win at the inaugural Bagger Racing League round in Utah and a 3rd place at MotoAmerica’s Laguna Seca round. Despite some complex technical issues that plagued the team at the start of the season, he qualified in the top 3 at every round they attended. After the last race in 2021, DTF Performance demanded complete control of the team, only to recently abandon the program 3 weeks before the current season starts.
“I feel the worst for Michael with the demise of this team,” says John Dahmer / crew chief and GM of Hoban Brothers Racing. “DTF Performance pulled the plug on our 2022 effort at the 11th hour, which eliminated any chance for us to successfully field a competitive Harley-Davidson at Daytona on such short notice. With the hard work Michael put in last year, helping this team to develop our Harley-Davidson Roadglide, to witness this is heartbreaking. I know he has all the potential of being extremely competitive in MotoAmerica’s King of the Baggers class. Michael is a professional and we are certainly looking at and entertaining all of our possibilities so we can get him on a bike within the next couple of rounds.”
Barnes remarks, “This is not how I had envisioned my final season in racing. I’d like to thank John Dahmer of Hoban Brothers Racing, Darkhorse Crankworks, Jimmy Light at HPi, and all of our gracious sponsors for their support of our bagger effort. Additionally, I’d like to mention Audrey Menarik of Moto-Liberty as a long time personal sponsor of mine. She has continually provided me with the best RS-Taichi gear for many years.”
“I felt like we made huge strides in developing our Harley-Davidson Roadglide last year. I was prepared and excited for the upcoming season. Unfortunately, DTF Performance and I couldn’t come to a financial agreement, specifically contingency, which is one of the primary driving forces for me to win for my team and sponsors. I’m an extremely capable rider, bringing decades of experience to the table. With the amount of effort and risk required to ride these motorcycles at a winning pace, I need to stand my ground and be fairly compensated for my work. I’ll be at Daytona with my gear bag and MotoAmerica license. Hopefully no one needs a replacement rider, but if they do, I’m available to fill in. I’d like to wish the best of luck to all racers and teams participating in the event.”
“The support from our sponsors always amazes me,” says Dahmer. “I called all of our industry partners to let them know of what has just transpired, right before our first race of the season. Everyone pledged their continued support for Michael and our program, whenever we are able put something together. The goal is to be back on track at Road America, as that’s the home track for Hoban Brothers Racing.”
