Celtic Racing Expands Team For 2013 With Rispoli, Alexander, and Olsen Eager For Daytona

Celtic Racing enjoyed great success in the 2012 season with James Rispoli capturing both the AMA Pro Road Racing SuperSport overall championship and the West division title. This marked back to back championships for Rispoli, who was also the 2011 SuperSport champion. 2012 teammate Corey Alexander will join Rispoli on the National Guard Celtic Racing team, with Alexander competing in SuperSport and Rispoli moving to Daytona SportBike. The addition of 2011 Norwegian SuperStock champion Caroline Olsen on the Celtic Orient Express Racing machine expands the team to three riders, all with incredible drive and determination.

James Rispoli will ride the #43 National Guard Celtic Racing Suzuki GSX-R 600 in the Daytona SportBike class for the 2013 season. The machine is similar to Rispoli’s championship winning GSX-R 600 from last season, but with several changes and upgrades to meet the rules of Daytona SportBike, where competition is every bit as fierce and intense as the SuperSport class. While SuperSport allowed minimal modifications to the motorcycle, Daytona SportBike can be considered a step closer to SuperBike, with some chassis related modifications allowed, upgraded brakes, and more. The significant change for this class is the length of the race which affects fuel consumption, tire wear, and of course rider conditioning. Daytona SportBike races are 50 miles in length, 15 miles longer than SuperSport, and of course the Daytona 200 which packs four regular races into one event!

Corey Alexander returns aboard his #5 National Guard Celtic Racing Suzuki GSX-R 600 in the SuperSport class, and has been training hard after a season ending injury near the end of 2012. Alexander is eager to return to Daytona where he was on Pole Position for both races last year, where he finished a strong 2nd place in race two, and 5th in race one. This will be Alexander’s third full season of SuperSport competition and he has placed a great deal of pressure upon himself already to improve on his 2012 results. Alexander will compete in the overall championship as well as the SuperSport East class against a field deep with challengers.

Caroline Olsen joins Celtic Racing aboard the #44 Celtic Orient Express Racing Suzuki GSX-R 600, and will compete in the SuperSport class. Olsen was the 2012 silver medalist in the Swedish Superstock 600 championship, and the 2011 Norwegian Superstock 600 champion. For Olsen, the challenge will be to learn the tracks as quickly as possible, and adapt to the Suzuki GSX-R 600 and Dunlop tires. Olsen showed intensity and focus at a recent test at JenningsGP, and everyone at Celtic Racing has been impressed with her professionalism.

Celtic Racing is proud to partner with: Army National Guard, Michael Jordan Motorsports, Orient Express Racing, Hudson Valley Motorcycles, American Suzuki, Armour Bodies, Bazzaz, Chicken Hawk Racing, DesignStar3, D.I.D. Chain, FMF Exhaust, Full Spectrum Power, Galfer, GB Racing, K-Tech Suspension, Maxima Racing Oils, Motion Pro, Pit Bull Products, Saddlemen, Signs Ink, Star Motorcycle School, Vortex Racing, and Zero Gravity.

After back to back SuperSport championships, James Rispoli is “very excited for the 2013 racing season as I step up to Daytona SportBike. I know the class will be very tough but I am confident with the team I have around me that we will be able to move towards the front. I have been training really hard for the 57 laps coming up with the 200 race, and I feel very confident on the physical side. Daytona is a strange place to race, we will be looking to come out of Daytona with a ton of points and solid result.” James would like to thank his personal sponsors AGV Helmets, Dainese Leathers, Monster Energy, and Techmount for their continued support this season.

Corey Alexander is eager to return to racing and said that “since the news of the team coming together for 2013 released I’ve been super excited and anxious for the year to begin. It wasn’t until the test at JenningsGP that I realized I literally couldn’t wait to start racing my National Guard Celtic Racing GSX-R 600. I know we will be very competitive; we have such a great team and great bikes. It is just up to me to do the job! I’m feeling stronger and more confident than ever, and that is a good combination. I have to say thanks to the National Guard for coming on board for another season, as well as Celtic Racing, our team sponsors, and Michael Jordan Motorsports. I also have to say thanks to my personal sponsors for sticking with me: Arai Helmets, Spidi Leathers, Xpd Boots, Hudson Valley Motorcycles, AMMO NYC, and my whole family! Hope everyone enjoys the racing!”

Celtic Racing’s newest team-member Caroline Olsen has a very grounded approach to Daytona, and stated “I’m so grateful to have been given the chance to be a part of the Celtic Orient Express Racing Team this season. I hope to learn a lot from these guys, both on and off track. It’s difficult to have specific ambitions about the season when I don’t really know what I’m up against. With a new bike, new tracks, new competition, and a new team, there will be challenges. But hopefully I can be fighting for points, and throughout the season become a better racer with the help from my team. Thanks so much to Arai Helmets, Cato Composites, Dainese Leathers, and LOXY for their support!”

CELTIC RACING

Celtic Racing was established in 2001 by Barry Gilsenan, and over the past 12 seasons has established itself as a premier privateer racing team. Development of riding talent began with two-stroke 125cc, and 250cc machines competing in professional and regional championship events. More recent Celtic Racing efforts have focused on AMA Pro Road Racing in the Daytona SportBike and SuperSport classes with Ducati, Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha four stroke motorcycles. Gilsenan’s talent for coaching racers of all ages and abilities has brought Celtic Racing worldwide attention and recognition, with many former Celtic Racing riders now competing on World Championship levels. Please join Celtic Racing on Facebook: ~http://www.facebook.com/CelticRacing~.

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

The National Guard is the oldest military branch. Today, Citizen-Soldiers hold civilian jobs or attend college while training part time, staying ready to defend America in the event of an emergency. The National Guard serves both state and federal governments. During local emergencies, Guard units assist residents endangered by storms, floods, fires and other disasters. Guard companies deployed overseas may see combat, but are often found building schools and hospitals, training local peacekeepers or teaching local farmers more efficient techniques and better uses of their land. Please visit ~http://www.nationalguard.com~ to find out more.

ORIENT EXPRESS

Established in 1973, Orient Express is a high performance motorcycle parts and accessories warehouse distributor; offering dyno tuning, engine building services and precision machine work. Orient Express has an extensive history of racing, including support of both professional and amateur race series and individuals. For more information regarding Orient Express, or to find out what Orient Express can do for your racing success, please call 800.645.6521 or 631.231.9552 (NY/International), visit ~http://www.orientexpress.com~ or join them on Facebook at ~http://www.facebook.com/OrientExpressRacing~.