But the final was a full-on race against Hines and the well-funded Harley team. Keep in mind that Pippin raced nothing but Harleys his whole life until he went Pro Stock racing. H-D does not sell its PSM bikes or motors to other teams to compete against its own—the only manufacturer that races the class with that special provision. So long time H-D fanatic Pippin became a swashbuckling privateer, seeking to raid the Motor Company’s orange and black ship and steal some wins for the little guy.

Pippin’s search for the necessary horsepower crossed his path with that of Lon Moyer and Brad Moore, now of Competition Engine Services but at the time developing for NASCAR’s Richard Childress Racing.