Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1078260
17 COMMERCIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 3 FEBRUARY 2019 NOW nearing its 115th an- niversary, the legendary Har- ley-Davidson brand is known world-wide as a flagship brand of American motorcycle cul- ture expressing freedom and passion for all its riders. Harley-Davidson can trace its foundation back to 1903, when William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson began the first production of Harley- Davidson motorcycles in a small shed in Milwaukee. e all-American brand quickly rose to prominence shortly af- ter the First World War where in 1920 Harley-Davidson be- came the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world, having 2,000 different dealers in 67 countries worldwide. Through their worldwide popularity, it was only a mat- ter of time till the iconic mo- torcycle brand found its way onto film sets in Hollywood. e first-ever appearance of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle occurred in none other than a 19-minute silent film by the great Buster Keaton in 1920. e slapstick comedy film, ti- tled 'e Scarecrow' finishes with Keaton getting married on a Harley-Davidson Model J whilst riding away. While Harley-Davidson con- tinued to appear in several movies, it was only until the 1950s that the brand's rebel biker culture was recognised in films. Movies like the 1953 drama outlaw-biker film 'e Wild One' starring Marlon Brando and more importantly, his Harley-Davidson riding nemesis Lee Marvin, whose portrayal as a leather-wearing gang leader riding for freedom set the stage for all Harley- Davidson enthusiasts. e rebellious image of a Harley- Davidson rider was popular- ised during this period, by films such as Jack Nicholson's 1967 drama 'Hells Angels on Wheels' and 1969 biker cult classic 'Easy Rider' starring Peter Fonda. In more recent times Harley- Davidson motorcycles began featuring heavily in a number of action scenes, quickly be- coming the ideal ride for pro- tagonists due to their recog- nisable brand image and global popularity. Harley-Davidson motorcycles proudly took cen- tre stage in multi-million dol- lar productions such as Syl- vester Stallone's 1982 'Rocky III' and 2010 'e Expenda- bles', Arnold Schwarzeneg- ger's 1991 'Terminator 2: Judgement Day', Quentin Tar- antino's award-winning 1994 classic drama 'Pulp Fiction' and Steven Spielberg's 2008 fantasy film 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull', starring Harrison Ford and Shia La Beouf. Harley-Davidson's motor- cycles also found their way into the hands of incredible superheros within the Marvel Universe. Noteworthy cameos include those in the X-men, Captain America and Aveng- ers franchise, where protago- nists often find themselves revving their Harleys in and out of danger. Thanks to the continuous presence of Harley-David- son in cinema, the Ameri- can brand become incredibly recognisable and present in all forms of media. Harley- Davidson bikes can be found almost everywhere, headlin- ing in animations, TV series, video games and as well as in various music videos. For more information about Harley-Davidson contact us on (+356) 2339 2328/9 or on info@FapiMotors.com. Har- ley-Davidson motorcycles, parts and merchandise are available from Fapi Motors Ltd, a Mobility Business Unit within Famalco | Building Businesses. Harley-Davidson's impact on cinema ON Friday, VOOMQUEST - the racing and lifestyle platform operating from Malta - launched the VOOMQUEST Enemed UIM V2 World Powerboat Championship 2019 during a press con- ference held at the Blue Ocean Gazebo at the Grand Hotel Excelsior in Floriana. Following last year's success and after being awarded the title of World Cham- pions last October, under the supervi- sion of the UIM (Union Internationale Motonautique), VOOMQUEST is or- ganising the second V2 World Power- boat Championship. Split amongst five grand prix, the championship will run its first three full race events in April, July and September in Malta. VOOMQUEST are in discussion with Italy, Corsica, Cyprus, Turkey, Dubai and India regarding the two other inter- national events. Spread over four days, the events will include a combination of Official Test- ing, Pole Position Trials and three full Grand Prix races over a course of 3.1 nautical miles. To spice things up for fans and pilots the VQ race course design also introduc- es a penalty lane. Confirmed international teams taking part in the championship include Malta, Belgium, France and Corsica. Furthermore, VOOMQUEST has re- cently signed an international media dis- tribution agreement giving the champi- onship the deserved exposure. Kevin Chircop, Executive Chairman for Enemed said: "Throughout last year we have confirmed that Voomquest and Enemed share the same kudos of doing things to the highest of level where pro- fessionalsim and commitment represent the basis of all we do." During the press conference, VOOM- QUEST founder and five-time world champion Aaron Ciantar noted that in less than a year, the Championship was recognised and given international rights. "This is the first Maltese organised Championship that holds an interna- tional title, having pilots from Malta, France, Belgium and Corsica," he said. The V2 Class is a one-design class of SVR-27 canopy race boats built locally by Chaudron Powerboats and designed by Ciantar. For further details related to VOOM- QUEST events and races visit https:// voomquest.com/, or their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/VOOM- QUEST/ 2019 VOOMQUEST Enemed UIM V2 World Powerboat Championship launched Chaudron powerboats are built in Malta and designed by five-time world champion Aaron Ciantar