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     Wolfridgerider |
I know some of you don't make to the Racing area of Badweb but I thought you would like this.... Barnes On Buell by staff Friday, December 05, 2008 This just in: RICHIE MORRIS RACING ANNOUNCES A NEW PARTNERSHIP FOR THE 2009 AMA PRO ROAD RACING SERIES Elkhart Lake, Wis., Richie Morris Racing is pleased to announce the signing of a three year contract with GEICO Powersports to sponsor their team in the 2009 AMA Pro Road Racing Series. "We are definitely thrilled to have formed a partnership with this outstanding company," says Morris. "It is an honor for us and for the entire motorcycle industry to have the backing of a company of their caliber and we are looking forward to a great season." "We are excited to be working with Richie Morris Racing again as they compete in the AMA Daytona SportBike class," said Eric Vaden of GEICO Powersports. "We were involved with Richie Morris and the Bruce Rossmeyer's Daytona Harley-Davidson SunTrust Moto-ST team last season and they did an outstanding job for us. This is a great opportunity with a winning team and we are very pleased with how well this all came together." Flying the GEICO Powersports colors aboard the Buell 1125R will be top-ranked riding ace Michael Barnes. A resident of Boca Raton, Fla., Barnes comes to the team with a long list of credits and accolades, including podium finishes in AMA Superstock, Supersport, Superbike and Formula Xtreme. In 2007 Barnes raced a limited season, but earned a podium finish in the Daytona 200 AMA Formula Xtreme race. The year prior (2006) he earned five podium finishes in AMA Supersport and also competed in AMA Formula Xtreme, taking seven top-five finishes. Just back from the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix where he took fifth, Barnes also raced for the Bruce Rossmeyer's Daytona Buell team in the SunTrust MOTO-ST Series taking the win at Heartland Topeka and a third at the 8 Hours At Daytona. "This is awesome," said Barnes. "I can't wait for the season to get started. "Richie runs a great team and the 1125R is a incredible bike. I'm really honored to be carrying the GEICO Powersports banner and am eager to show their colors on the podium." Well versed in what it takes to have a winning team, Richie Morris has been involved in motorcycle racing since he was eight years old. A familiar name at many local and regional motocross and dirt tracks, Morris moved into road racing in 1991 and began carving a name for himself. In 1994 he signed with Bruce Rossmeyer's Harley- Davidson, the largest Harley-Davidson dealer in the world. Flying the Rossmeyer colors, he continued to race until a horrific crash in 2004 forced him to retire from competition. "While I knew I couldn't compete anymore, I had no intention of retiring from the motorcycle industry itself," explains Morris. When I heard that Roger Edmondson and the France family were starting a new series, the SunTrust MOTO-ST Series, I immediately began talking to Bruce about putting together a team." Teaming up with the Buell Motorcycle Company Morris entered a team in 2007 in the GrandSport Twins class. With well-know racers Shawn Higbee and Dan Bilansky piloting the No. 8 Bruce Rossmeyer's Daytona Harley-Davidson/Ocean Deck sponsored Buell XB12, the team took home three wins and ended the season in second in class. "In July of 2007," continues Morris, "I learned that Buell would be introducing their new 1125R model and that it would meet the specifications for the premier class in the SunTrust MOTO-ST Series, the Buell Motorcycle Company SuperSport Twins class. I talked to Bruce and with his help we put together a team and an incredible sponsorship package which included Buell, GEICO, Eagle Riders, Coca-Cola and Toyota." Starting off the season with a new bike, it took the team just two races to work out a few minor bugs and by race three they captured their first victory at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis. "It was totally awesome to take our first win in Buell's own backyard which is also our hometown track," said Morris. "It doesn't get much better than that." Continuing on through the season, the team took another win and three more podium finishes to end the year in third place overall. "We have three months before the AMA Pro Racing Series begins," continues Morris. "Our whole crew will be working full force to make sure everything is in place and we will definitely be ready in March when the Green Flag waves at Daytona International Speedway for the famed Daytona 200. "With things the way they are today....I feel fortunate to have a company like GEICO on my side" sums up Morris. They have a great reputation and could save many motorcycle enthusiasts a great deal of money. In addition the motorcycle industry and its fans are extremely sponsor loyal and are committed to supporting the people who sponsor their sport. Having GEICO involved will certainly be beneficial to motorcyclists across the country." | ||
| Ezblast |
Totally cool! EZ |
