Willie Herschberger

Willie Herschberger is a successful forty-four year old family man, and Framing Contractor, located in Manatee County Florida. He is the founder and owner of Willie Herschberger Racing, and Drag Masters, Inc., a Race Club with members from every walk of life who love the sport and fellowship of competition. Herschberger Race Technologies is a byproduct of Willie's dedicated interest in Harley-Davidson Drag Racing, and his determination to make the sport fun and practical for the Sportsman racer. He is known for his "open-door" and "extended-hand" attitude at the Racetrack and at his facility in Bradenton, Florida.

Willie has been riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles for better than twenty years. Many of the Bikes he built himself. His first experience in Harley-Davidson Drag Racing came when he accepted an invitation to race at Bradenton Motor Sports Park in eastern Manatee County. One pass down the track and he was "hooked" on the sport. Since that time, Willie has promoted the "Fourth Saturday" all Harley-Davidson Drag Races at Bradenton Motor Sports Park. The HD Drags in Bradenton were all but extinct when Willie made his first pass. You will now find as many as 100 competitive Harleys, from all over the state of Florida on any given fourth Saturday, competing for prize money and trophies. The fourth Saturday racing invitation mailing goes out to well over 100 racers, and is growing, due entirely to Willie's personal efforts and determination to improve the sport.

Willie Herschberger Racing has contributed to the efforts of fellow racers, enabling them to compete in the sport. He has sponsored fellow racers who are among his strongest competition, demonstrating his genuine love for the sport. Willie has helped with money, with technological expertise, and with his super-positive attitude and encouragement. Thus Herschberger Race Technologies had its beginnings. Several racers have the "Powered by Herschberger" decals proudly displayed on their racing machines.

The introduction of the new "Hot Street" class in the AHDRA, with Willie Herschberger Racing awarded the sole initial sponsorship, is testimony in itself to Willie's impact in the sport of Harley-Davidson Drag Racing. "Drag Masters Hot Street" class will be introduced in AHDRA's 2003 season, with the distinct advantage of having Drag Masters, Inc. as sponsor and promoter. Willie's desire to return to "Heads-up" racing in the Sportsman class is defined in his remark "Finally, no more grabbing the brakes at the finish line!"

Willie's racing career, though of relatively short duration, includes some fairly impressive accomplishments on the racetrack.