FIRESTARTER FLINT STARTS SUPERSPORT TEAM WITH AMERICAN PRODIGY RISPOLI The Prodigy’s Keith Flint is set for a new gig in 2014 as he debuts his Team Traction Control in the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship with American young gun James Rispoli.
Flint, who has sold over 20 million albums worldwide, has a huge passion for racing, competing himself at club level. Flint’s Team Traction Control now progress to the Supersport Championship after securing two Endurance Championship titles before debuting in the National Superstock 1000 class this season with Steve Mercer and at the final round with Rispoli.
Rispoli made his British debut wildcarding in 2012 and is now relishing the opportunity to line up on the grid in the Monster Energy backed team. The 22 year-old New Yorker has already tasted success in the United States of America in the AMA Pro Supersport National Championships, celebrating four consecutive AMA Pro Supersport Championships in two seasons. In his earlier career before making the transition to circuit racing he was also an AMA multi-national champion dirt tracker and multi land speed record holder. Mercer will continue to line up for the team in the major road races next year.
Rispoli said: “I am so excited to get the opportunity to race full time overseas and to do it in such a prestigious series as the British Superbike Championship is amazing. I have had some experience of the events at the final Brands Hatch rounds over the past two seasons and now this is a chance to have a full season to prove what we are capable of. I know I will need to learn the tracks but I think we can come to grips with that pretty fast and try and be pushing for some podiums and top positions throughout the season. I know it won’t be easy however I’m confident my team will do whatever it takes to make sure we have the best prepped equipment and testing program to get the job done. I want to thank team owner Keith Flint for believing in me and making this dream come true. I can’t wait to start testing on the track with the new bike, new crew and look forward to putting up a great result and an awesome show for all the fans.”
Flint concluded: “The time is right now for us to move to this level and I am really excited by the whole thing. I have been a fan of the championship for several years and that is the foundation of why I started a team in the first place. The feeling of this announcement is like the first time that the band played at Glastonbury; it is the big time. We have won back to back titles at club level in the endurance series and now it feels right to move to the next level. We want to be able to come out and fight for podiums, especially in this championship as I have followed it for over a decade. I have been a part of the paddock, watching the events but now it feels great to be part of it, rather than a musician spectating trackside. I am very passionate about the sport and now we can’t wait to get started next season.” For more information please visit www.britishsuperbike.com