< Back

Dave Mackie

Dave Mackie: From Record-Setting Racer to Hall of Fame Legend

Between 1978 and 1984, Dave Mackie wasn’t just a competitor—he was a force of nature. With over 60 national records and five National Championships under his belt, Dave’s name is etched in the annals of motorcycle racing history. But what truly sets him apart is that he’s the only person in DRAGBIKE® history to deliver a Stock Eliminator National Championship to Harley-Davidson. He achieved this feat while running a stock displacement, stock chassis Harley, an accomplishment made even more legendary when he became the first to clock a 10-second run on such a machine. For many racers, that alone would define a career, but for Dave, it was only the beginning.

The Early Days: Racing, Innovation, and Partnerships

Dave’s racing journey began with a 1974 Superglide FX, the bike that sparked his passion and pushed him to join the competitive world of drag racing. After just a few years of modifying and testing on the street, he hit the track at Union Grove, Wisconsin, in 1978. Right out of the gate, Dave made his presence known, competing in national events through the DRAGBIKE AMA racing association and taking on the top racers in the country.

What made Dave’s approach unique was his commitment to innovation. He meticulously studied existing records and products, always looking for that extra edge. One of his key partnerships formed when he contacted Rivera Engineering to run their Eliminator SU carburetor. That connection would lead to a friendship with Mel Magnet, the founder of Rivera/Primo and a man who supported many top racers of the era, including the legendary Jim McClure. With Mel’s backing, Dave found himself equipped with the best components—needles, jets, manifolds—everything he needed to push his machine to the absolute limit.

But it wasn’t just about the parts. Dave’s relentless testing and willingness to “blow it up once in a while” pushed boundaries others were afraid to cross. He stayed true to his stock displacement and stock chassis setup, believing that keeping his Harley relatable to the everyday rider made his achievements all the more impressive. People could see a part of themselves in Dave’s racing—a familiar bike, but one pushed to extraordinary heights by sheer willpower and engineering prowess.

Founding Dave Mackie Engineering: A New Chapter

By the mid-1980s, Dave took his love for innovation and performance off the track and into the shop, founding Dave Mackie Engineering (DME). Specializing in custom headwork, cylinder boring and honing, and designing pistons and camshafts, DME quickly became a trusted name for Harley riders looking to get the most out of their machines. His expertise soon drew the attention of some of the biggest names in motorcycle racing.

One of Dave’s proudest achievements was performing the headwork on Bob “Rat” Taft’s drag bike when it became the world’s first 8-second Harley powered by gasoline. But perhaps his crowning moment came when Keith Ruxton approached him to work on the legendary Easyrider Magazine Streamliner. In 1990, Keith, Micah McCloskey, and their team took the Streamliner to the Bonneville Salt Flats and set a new land speed record of 322 miles per hour—earning the title of World’s Fastest Harley Davidson, a record that still stands today. To have played a part in such an iconic achievement is something Dave considers one of his greatest honors.

Racing Camaraderie and the Spirit of Brotherhood

Ask any racer, and they’ll tell you that it’s not just about the machines—it’s about the people. Dave fondly remembers his first DRAGBIKE race when a throwout bearing in his transmission blew, leaving him without a replacement. A stranger overheard his dilemma and came back a few minutes later with a brand new bearing. When Dave asked how much he owed, the man simply replied, “Not a thing—help someone else when you can.”

This spirit of camaraderie defined Dave’s racing years. The pits were like a family reunion, with racers, crews, and families coming together from across the country. It wasn’t just competition; it was community. Dave cherished the friendships he made, spending time with legends like Jim and Phyllis McClure, Elmer Trett, Hall of Famer Danny Fitzmaurice, and the Hausler brothers. Win or lose, the memories forged in those days are ones that have stayed with him far longer than any trophy.

The Most Memorable Race

When asked about his most unforgettable race, Dave points to Atco, New Jersey, in the late 1970s. Known for its strict security and no-nonsense approach, the event had a palpable sense of intensity. But what made it truly special was the crowd’s reaction to his Superglide. Despite being one of the few street Harleys at the event, every time he made a pass, the Harley-loving audience cheered and waved him to the front of the line.

Winning that event felt like a triumph not just for Dave, but for every Harley rider who saw a bit of themselves in his journey. He took down the reigning National Champion, the current Runner-Up, and the previous year’s titleholder—a moment of pure satisfaction. But more than the win, Dave treasures the chance to have raced alongside so many of his heroes and friends in one of the best events he’s ever experienced.

A Humble Induction into the Hall of Fame

For a man who started out just wanting to win a single race, being inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame is something Dave never imagined. “In the beginning, the goal was to win one event, but then we were hooked. We were just out there having fun and pushing the limits. We loved to travel, race, and work hard to get better,” Dave reflects. “Being in any motorcycle hall of fame never crossed my mind, so to be inducted into the greatest of all, the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame, is a great honor.”