Press Release | May 8, 2019
Rispoli and XG750R to debut at this weekend’s So-Cal Half-Mile presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys
This is a press release from Black Hills Harley-Davidson…
Rapid City, SD (May 7, 2019) – Black Hills Harley-Davidson, which debuted an early-generation Vance & Hines XG750R in the American Flat Track Production Twins class at last month’s Texas Half Mile, announced today it will run the remainder of the 2019 AFT Production Twins season with James Rispoli in the XG’s saddle – and launch the new partnership at this weekend’s So Cal Half Mile in Perris, CA on May 11.
“We saw some good things and a lot of potential a few weeks ago in Dallas,” said Black Hills Harley-Davidson co-owner and General Manager Terry Rymer, “and wanted to keep the momentum going. Danny Eslick did a great job for us there, finishing ninth, and we’re happy to have given him some time on the bike. But with James [Rispoli] already running the entire series on his KC74/Kieran Clarke/Hudson Valley-backed Kawasaki in AFT Singles, it made sense economically and logistically to give him a chance to ride our XG in Production Twins.”
Rispoli isn’t a Twins-riding rookie by any means, having raced a Harley-Davidson XR750 and a couple of Kawasaki-powered ’trackers in his earlier days.
“I can’t tell you how stoked I am about this opportunity,” Rispoli said just days before the So Cal Half Mile at Perris. “Getting back into the American Flat Track series has been a fun and crazy adventure so far, but to get a call from Terry Rymer about riding their XG for the rest of the season? I mean, that’s just an opportunity I couldn’t refuse, and something I’m really looking forward to. I think Harley-Davidson has come a long way and I want to do my part to help any way I can. I am excited to get things rolling at Perris.”
The Rymer/Rispoli announcement adds legitimacy and credibility to the idea of Harley-Davidson dealers once again having an avenue to direct involvement in professional flat track racing, which has been on the decline in recent years as the legendary XR750 has become less competitive and expensive to maintain. As Rymer said several weeks ago, “It’s good for us, it’s good for Harley-Davidson and Vance & Hines, and it’s good for the class, which is a great stepping stone for up-and-coming AFT riders and teams. Heck, having more Harley dealers involved again would be a great thing. And that’s the big picture from my point of view. We’re certainly going to do our part as we battle for the AFT Production Twins championship.”
The So Cal Half Mile presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys is this weekend at the Southern California Fairgrounds in Perris, CA, folks, and it promised to be a knock-down-drag-out battle in AFT Twins, AFT Singles and AFT Production Twins – this time with James “The Rocket” Rispoli aboard a Harley-Davidson XG750R. Don’t miss it.
The Terry Rymer/PDRacing/Black Hills Harley-Davidson team is sponsored by ProBEAM by Custom Dynamics, Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties, Strider Bikes, Rekluse Clutch, Bel Ray Lubricants, Arai America, Lightshoe, Galfer Brakes, Motoshippers, Motion Pro, Regina Chains, RASE – Ridethebigsky.com, Burge Concrete, Quik Signs, Saddlemen, K&N Filters, Durelle Racing Products, Agri Risk Solutions, Wilson Ranch, Whipple Racing Products, Sturgis Photo & Gifts, bLU cRU, 858’s and Sturgis Motorsports.