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Powersports Business • August 2023 • 9

HOTNEWS experience to Grandude ’ s , garnered from working on nearly every make and model of motorcycle . Smith ’ s mechanical journey began after joining a bike club as a young man in Nebraska .

The shop offers maintenance , transportation and repair for a variety of motorcycles and powersports vehicles .

HARLEY-DAVIDSON TAPS ROOT AS NEW CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Jonathan Root succeeds Gina Goetter , who stepped down in April to join the toymaking company Hasbro .

“ Jonathan is a proven leader with extensive knowledge of our business , matched with strong financial acumen – we ’ re excited to have him lead the finance organization at Harley- Davidson ,” says Jochen Zeitz , chairman , president and CEO of Harley-Davidson has announced that Jonathan Harley .

Root , SVP of Harley- In his role as Davidson Financial Services ( HDFS ), has been SVP at HDFS , appointed as chief Root oversaw financial officer for the global HDFS Harley-Davidson , Inc . business as president of Eaglemark Savings Bank , president of Harley-Davidson Insurance , and president of all other HDFS subsidiaries . Root has been responsible for both strategy and execution of the company ’ s motorcycle retail lending , branded credit card partnerships , commercial lending , and retail / commercial / insurance operations .

Root joined HDFS in 2011 and has held multiple roles across the company , including VP , Insurance . Prior to that , he held a variety of roles at Ally Financial , Inc ., GMAC Financial Services , Inc ., and General Motors , Inc .

WSX ADDS ABU DHABI ROUND TO 2023 CALENDAR

SX Global has added Yas Island , Abu Dhabi to host the final round of the FIM World Supercross Championship ( WSX ).

The WSX Abu Dhabi GP will take place over two days at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island on Nov . 4−5 , 2023 . The event will be the first time a WSX race has been held in the region .

“ We ’ re extremely proud to announce the WSX Abu Dhabi GP . Yas Island is known for the standard of excellence in hosting some of the biggest events in the region , including other major events like Formula 1 , UFC and NBA ,” says Adam Bailey , CEOof SX Global .

Ethara is one of the region ’ s biggest event , entertainment , and venue management companies . Over the past 15 years , Ethara has delivered over 700 major events in the region for more than 16 million fans , including the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Yasalam After- Race Concerts .

“ FIM World Supercross is a fantastic new event for Yas Island , and it underpins our pioneering approach in the major event industry ,” says Saif Rashid Al Noaimi , CEO of Ethara .

SALES TEAM HONORED FOR LIKELY SAVING RIDER ’ S LIFE

According to Fox 9 KMSP , salesmen from Simply Ride of Eden Prairie have been

credited with saving the life of a recent customer . The press release states , “ A pair of motorcycle salesmen in Eden Prairie are being praised for their life-saving action , after insisting a customer wear a helmet moments before he crashed .”

Ryan Degroote and Dave Grimme sold the motorcycle to the customer , according to the news outlet , and insisted that he borrow a helmet since his was on backorder . Although the customer was reluctant , he borrowed a helmet .

Less than a mile from the dealership , the customer crashed and hit his head and broke his collarbone . According to Fox 9 , first responders shared that the helmet

Salesmen from Simply Ride are credited with saving a customer ’ s life after insisting he borrow a helmet after buying a motorcycle . Photo courtesy of Fox 9 KMSP

likely saved his life . The Eden Prairie Chief of Police and Fire Chief honored the sales team with Challenge Coins .

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