Michael Barnes To Rossmeyer Harley Team
Cycle News Staff | January 16, 2013
AMA Vance & Hines XR1200 Champion Michael Barnes has inked a deal that will see him aboard a Bruce Rossmeyer Daytona Racing Harley-Davidson in the 2013 series. Barnes will join Bobby Fong with other members of the “Rossmeyer Recking Crew” to be named later.
The Richie Morris Racing (RMR) team won the inaugural Vance & Hines XR1200 series in 2010 with Danny Eslick and repeated in 2011 with Chris Fillmore.
“I’ve been looking forward to finalizing my plans for the Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson series, so I’m excited that I’ll be on a competitive Triple Crown Rossmeyer XR 1200 to defend my title,” Barnes said in a press release. “These guys are serious about winning races and that’s what I want to do for them – win.”
The Rossmeyers are no stranger to the AMA paddock. While being long-time sponsors of the U.S. Twin Sports Series, they are undoubtedly most noted for their 2009 AMA Daytona SportBike title.
Shelly Rossmeyer Pepe is excited to be back on the track.
“I feel this season is going to be huge,” she said. “With all the efforts of Richie Morris and Dave Brite there is no reason we can’t bring home the championship. Michael Barnes has ridden for us in the past and it is great to once again have his talent and experience.”
“It’s humbling and rare to have partners and friends that stay together for 19 years,” said Morris. “It’s unbelievably great to be back in the AMA paddock with the Rossmeyers. Barney [Barnes] and I have had some great years together as well. It’s nice to have yet another champion on the Rossmeyer’s Harley-Davidson.”
“Barney is a great addition to our program,” said Dave Brite. “Aside from his obvious skills on the Harley, he is a huge help with developing young riders. He worked with the team and Stefano Mesa over the winter and we immediately saw his value. It’s going to be fun to watch him battle it out each weekend.”
