Don Tilley

Don Tilley: A Legacy of Speed, Racing, and Harley-Davidson

When Don Tilley was born in Statesville, North Carolina, in 1936, no one could have predicted the mark he would leave on the motorcycle racing world. With an early passion for speed and machines, Don would grow to become a legendary figure in Harley-Davidson history—a man whose name is synonymous with racing excellence and dealership success.

At just 23, Don made a pivotal trip to Milwaukee to attend the Harley-Davidson Technical School. Armed with technical expertise and a burning passion for racing, he returned to his hometown to work at the local Reeves and Davis Harley-Davidson dealership. But while he built a career wrenching on bikes, his heart belonged to the track.

Chasing Speed: The Early Racing Years

The 1960s saw Don chasing his passion across multiple forms of racing. From stock car competitions to motorcycle circuits, he quickly made a name for himself. He ran several Grand National races, including two at the iconic Daytona Speedway. His skill and tenacity didn’t go unnoticed, leading to a stint working with the NASCAR legend, “The King” Richard Petty.

But it was in 1972 that Don’s life took a defining turn. He got the opportunity to reopen a Harley-Davidson dealership in his hometown of Statesville. Alongside his wife Robinette, he threw himself into the business, determined to make it a thriving success. With a family that shared his love of speed, Don’s daughters, Donna and Denise, were soon hitting the motocross circuits under their father’s guidance. And just two years later, they added flat track racing to their growing list of accomplishments.

When Don broke both of his legs during a flat track race, he could have easily hung up his racing gloves. Instead, he passed the torch to up-and-coming racer Gene Church, who took the helm of Don’s XR750. That same year, his daughter Donna won a championship in her class—proving that racing talent ran in the family.

The Rise of "Lucifer's Hammer"

Don Tilley’s reputation as a racing mastermind solidified in the mid-1980s, when he and Gene Church dominated the racing scene with a legendary XR-based machine known as “Lucifer’s Hammer.” The duo’s success was nothing short of spectacular—they took home three consecutive national championships in the AMA Battle of the Twins series. It was a feat virtually unheard of at the time and cemented Don’s status as a top-tier tuner and team owner.

Yet Don’s ambitions didn’t stop there. When the AMA introduced the Harley-Davidson 883 Twin Sports class in the early 1990s, he saw it as a new opportunity. He spent a full year tweaking, tuning, and perfecting the machine, biding his time until he found the perfect rider. That rider was Scott Zampach, a fearless competitor from Milwaukee. Together, they dominated the 883 Twin Sports class, taking three consecutive national championships, followed by a second-place finish and yet another championship win. It was a run of success that remains unmatched in the history of the series.

Racing Evolution and the VR1000 Project

As the 90s rolled on, Don turned his sights to the AMA Superbike class, sponsoring and tuning Harley-Davidson’s VR1000—a bold move into one of the most competitive categories in motorcycle racing. While podium finishes remained elusive, Don never stopped working on the bike, seeking that elusive formula for success.

Determined to crack the Superbike code, Don brought on Tripp Nobles from Macon, Georgia, to pilot the VR1000. Tripp’s grit and determination helped them secure a respectable 10th place in the AMA Superbike series and capture wins in the Buell S-1 Lightning series. This partnership paved the way for even greater success in 1998, when the AMA formed the new Pro Thunder V-Twin class, sponsored by Buell Motor Company. Don’s crew built a bike from scratch for the inaugural race in Phoenix, Arizona, and made history by winning the very first event of the new class.

A Businessman with Racing in His Blood

While racing success made Don a legend on the track, it was his dedication to his dealerships that defined his day-to-day life. Don and Robinette built their Statesville dealership into a thriving business, and in 2003, they expanded by opening a new, state-of-the-art facility strategically located near the intersection of I-77 and I-40 in Statesville. Meanwhile, a small store in Salisbury, North Carolina, blossomed into a full-fledged dealership along Interstate 85, serving a growing community of Harley-Davidson enthusiasts.

But Don’s love for racing never faded. He remained deeply involved in the sport, and the racing spirit extended to the next generation. His two grandsons inherited the family’s need for speed, becoming successful racecar drivers in their own right. Until his tragic death in 2014, Don was a constant presence in their racing careers, offering guidance, support, and the kind of wisdom only a lifetime of experience could bring.

A Tragic Loss and a Lasting Legacy

On August 29, 2014, Don Tilley’s remarkable life came to a sudden end. A single-motorcycle accident claimed his life and left his beloved wife Robinette severely injured. The news sent shockwaves through the racing and Harley-Davidson communities. Don was not just a dealer or a team owner; he was a mentor, a pioneer, and a friend to all who shared his passion.

Don Tilley’s legacy lives on—not just in the trophies and championships, but in the hearts of the countless riders, racers, and fans he inspired. From the roar of “Lucifer’s Hammer” to the hum of his dealerships’ showrooms, his influence is everywhere. Even in his absence, his spirit of perseverance, innovation, and unyielding love for the sport continues to guide those who follow in his tire tracks.