VOLUME 57 ISSUE 2 JANUARY 14, 2020 P39
Latus Motors Racing Signs Rispoli
L
atus Motors Racing will
return to the American
Flat Track scene with newly
signed rider James "The
Rocket" Rispoli who will
contest the 2020 AFT Pro-
duction Twins Championship
aboard a Harley-Davidson
XG750R.
Last season, 28-year-old
Rispoli scored four podiums
in the AFT Production Twins
class, ultimately finishing
sixth in the championship,
despite missing the opening
round of the championship.
Gladstone, Oregon-based
Latus Motors Racing has
a long association with
American Flat Track racing. Team owner George
Latus, said, "I was involved in flat track for a lot of
years, and more recently we were heavily involved
in road racing. We kind of put a hold on things
for a couple of years, but we saw the direction
American Flat Track was going, and it's moving
forward in a very positive way. We were looking
to get back into it and recognized the potential of
the Harley-Davidson XG750R and the Production
Twins class as the perfect way to do that.
"I've raced against James for many years. He's
got a great attitude, and he's a terrific competitor.
I'm excited to have the opportunity to work with
him."
Team Manager Kopp said, "One of the big
benefits James brings to our program is the
electronics knowledge he gained last year help-
ing Vance & Hines to tune the bikes. The way the
sport is going, you have to have some comfort
playing with that stuff, and he's definitely on top of
that more than just about any rider that I know out
there. That's going to be huge."
"I couldn't be happier with the
opportunity to race the XG750R
for Latus Motors Racing," Rispoli
said. "My relationship with Mr.
Latus goes back a decade when
we first discussed the possibil-
ity of me riding for his road race team. I've raced
against his teams for a long time, so I'm very
familiar with exactly how well prepared his team
is and how serious they are about winning. I'm
also thrilled to be working with Joe. I have a huge
amount of respect for him, and I was extremely ex-
cited when he gave me a call and told me he was
looking forward to working with me, too.
"Last year's experience riding and developing
the XG750R makes me confident we can fight
for wins and the title the 2020. I've reunited with
personal trainer Richie Perperian, who helped
me win two AMA Pro SuperSport champion-
ships, to make sure I take maximum advantage of
this awesome opportunity. We're already off and
rolling." CN
James Rispoli
will compete
in the AFT
Production Twins
class with Latus
Motors Racing.
