Ray Price is recognized as the “Father of the Funnybike." He also is credited with developing the two-speed automatic racing transmission and the first wheelie bar for drag-race motorcycles.
Born in 1937, Price grew up on a tobacco farm in Johnston County, N.C. After attending college, he enlisted in the Air Force, where he spent four years as a radar specialist in aircraft armament control.
Price bought his first motorcycle in 1963.
In 1967, at the age of 30, he started his motorcycle drag racing career with a 1966 Harley-Davidson Sportster. After that, Price and his Ray Price Harley-Davidson drag racing team attained multiple race victories, records and championships in AMA Dragbike, the All Harley Drag Racing Association and the International Hot Rod Association.
Price’s personal racing career continued beyond his 65th birthday into the 2003 AHDRA season.
In 1973, Price and wife, Jean, opened Precision Cycle in Raleigh, N.C., which later became Ray Price Harley-Davidson. Ray Price Harley-Davidson is one of the largest dealerships in the southeastern United States and hosts several annual charitable events, including the Toys for Tots toy run and the Ray Price Easter Basket Ride, among others.
Ray Price passed away Dec. 16, 2015.