Danny Fitzmaurice

Dan Fitzmaurice: From the Garage to the Racetrack, A Lifetime in Motorcycles

In 1970, a young 11-year-old named Dan Fitzmaurice discovered his life’s passion when his neighbor, Ron Helms, opened a small Harley-Davidson dealership. Despite the challenges of running a new business, Dan saw an opportunity and eagerly volunteered to help out. Little did he know, this early connection would set the stage for a lifetime spent around motorcycles.

Dan’s journey into the world of motorcycles started with a simple curiosity but quickly grew into something much larger. He spent his days working regular jobs while spending his nights learning the intricacies of engine repair and tuning. The ultimate goal? To fund his love for racing. Surrounded by talented people in the motorcycle world, Dan honed his skills, gaining expertise in building engines with more power and efficiency. This dedication paid off when, in 1981, Dan’s dream of obtaining a professional racing license became a reality.

However, life had other plans. That same year, after competing in the Spring Florida Racing Series, Dan and his business partner, Dave Zehner, recognized that their growing engine repair business was booming. Their passion for high-performance engines led to the official creation of Zipper’s Performance in May 1981, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Dan’s life.

Zipper’s quickly became a well-respected name in the world of motorcycle tuning, with Dan and Dave building and tuning engines for both street and track bikes. From dirt racing to asphalt drag racing, they earned a loyal customer base during a period when the U.S. economy was improving and fans flocked to racetracks. The demand for their work grew rapidly, but with success came a tough decision. As Zipper’s expanded, Dan and Dave had to scale back their racing ambitions. By 1995, they were only able to compete sporadically, choosing to focus on their growing business and the community of customers and staff that had formed around it.

Looking back, Dan considers himself fortunate to have raced during a time of fierce competition, setting records and winning championships in six different sanctions. Though those records have long since been surpassed, he remains grateful for the friendships, knowledge, and experiences that shaped his racing career.

Today, Zipper’s is a name synonymous with performance and precision, but for Dan, it all started with a passion for motorcycles and a determination to keep racing—even if that meant building the fastest engines himself. His journey from a young volunteer to a successful entrepreneur and racer is a testament to the power of passion, hard work, and the open road.