The following is a press release from Richie Morris Racing…
Richie Morris Racing is pleased to announce that Bruce Rossmeyer Daytona Racing will enter the newly formed AMA Pro Racing’s Vance and Hines Harley-Davidson XR-1200 series. Partnered with GEICO Powersports and Lucas Oil….the team is in a serious position to bid for a number one plate in the inaugural season. The series allows the Rossmeyer family a place back in the AMA paddock after the closing of Buell motorcycles last year. The Rossmeyers have been long time Harley Davidson dealers with dealerships in Memphis TN, Grand Junction CO, Boston MA, and several through out the state of Florida. The flagship store is located in Ormond Beach FL at Destination Daytona.
The rider for the team will be Jake Holden. Holden is currently running select races for the Touring Sport Ducati Team in the Daytona Sportbike class and has signed with RMR to run the entire schedule for the Harley Davidson series. Throughout his career, Holden has won races at the upper levels in AMA. Last season he was the rider for the Corona Extra Honda Superbike team.
“I’m excited and looking forward to racing for the RMR championship winning team! I can’t wait to throw a leg over this Harley Davidson and by the looks of this bike it should be fun to ride” says Holden. Holden went on to thank Richie Morris Racing, “Thank you Richie! I’m very grateful to be a part of RMR and sponsors like Bruce Rossmeyer Daytona Racing, GEICO Powersports, Lucas oil, and Harley Davidson I will give 100% to this program.”
In addition to regular team rider, Jake Holden, the Rossmeyer, GEICO, Lucas team will have a second bike that will be by “invitation only” to select riders. The selection and announcement of the rider will be publicized a few weeks prior to each upcoming race. The rider choice will be made by Richie Morris and is intended to promote the series and sponsors. There will also be a theme and/or dedication behind the choice of each rider. The dedication and theme for the inaugural race at Road America in June…. will be “In Memory of Bruce Rossmeyer.” The first guest rider will be none other than Danny Eslick. Eslick is the reigning Daytona Sportbike Champion and achieved his title while riding for the Bruce Rossmeyer-GEICO Powersports team in 2009.
There will also be other Rossmeyer Harley Davidson race bikes available at the track for anyone who would like to showcase their talent for the weekend. These bikes will be available to riders with the proper race credentials for the series. These bikes will be available on a first come first served basis. Kyle Wyman of Wyman Brothers Racing will ride one at Road America. Anyone else wishing to ride or seeking additional information should contact Richie Morris at richiemorris@verizon.net.
“Obviously I am ecstatic about this news on many fronts” says team owner Richie Morris. “Everyone knows my past history with Bruce and now his daughter, Shelly, and the entire Rossmeyer family. To have a Rossmeyer, GEICO Powersports, Lucas Oil, RMR bike back in the paddock will bring a smile to many faces. It is also nice to have a situation where I am not competing against my GEICO Powersports Suzuki team. The invitation only guest rider will add a bit of spice and interest to the weekend and the series. Look for us to bring some familiar names back out onto the track! The extra bikes that are going to be available for other racers will also be great for the sport and series. There are some newcomers as well as guys that have been around for awhile who want everyone to remember their names. This will give them the chance to get on track at an AMA national at a fraction of the cost of bringing your own bike and team. So all in all ….it is a great program that I am happy to announce!”
“We have all missed being at the races this season” says Shelly Rossmeyer Pepe. “The new XR1200 class gives us a series to go race in the AMA with a bike we are selling in our showrooms. My dad started sponsoring Richie in the 883 class back in 1994….so hopefully this series will be as exciting and fun to watch as that one! It is also nice to continue our racing relationship with GEICO Powersports and to start a new one with Lucas Oil Co”.
The RMR XR-1200s will be prepared in Elkhart Lake WI by long time Harley Davidson tuner Terry Galagan. The series is set to begin at Road America in June…with stops at Mid- Ohio, VIR, New Jersey, and the season finale at Barber Motorsports Park.
