Celtic Racing has signed 2011 AMA Pro Racing SuperSport Champion James Rispoli for the 2012 season in a new partnership with Orient Express Racing, a New York based performance aftermarket motorcycle parts supplier. The team will be named Celtic-Orient Express Racing and is in addition to the recently announced Michael Jordan Motorsports expansion with the Army National Guard, Fairhills Group entry that will feature Corey Alexander.
Riders such as P. J. Jacobsen, Chaz Davies, Kenny Noyes, Alistair Seeley, and Michael Laverty have ridden for Celtic Racing in the past.
Rispoli won two titles in 2011 on a Suzuki GSX-R600 and the coveted Young Gun Award for the best 16-21-year-old road racer in America. En route to winning the AMA Pro SuperSport overall title and the SuperSport East Division Championship, Rispoli celebrated two wins – at Barber Motorsports Park and New Jersey Motorsports Park. Additionally, he earned six podium finishes, finishing off the rostrum only once.
“I am really excited to be working with Barry Gilsenan and the Celtic Racing team,” Rispoli said. “They’re known for working with young talent and helping to bring out the best in them. This is an opportunity of a lifetime and will be an awesome learning year for me. I now have the experienced crew and backing I need to excel and really put everything I have into each ride. I want to thank Barry and all the sponsors for this incredible opportunity, I can’t wait for the first test.”
