KLR Group signs Barnes to pair with Wyman in championship chase MONTEREY, Calif. (July 27) — Veteran rider Michael Barnes has been signed by the KLR Group to compete alongside team rider Kyle Wyman in the AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 Series.
“I’m excited to add Michael to our roster for the remainder of the season,” said Wyman, who at 22 years old is the youngest team owner on the AMA Pro Road Racing circuit. “I want to surround myself with the most passionate people in the sport and Barney certainly fills that role. He has a wealth of riding experience and I believe he will add a positive dynamic to the team.
“I am very grateful to have sponsors like KLR Group, Spyke’s Harley-Davidson and Vesrah who have not only given me the opportunity to support my own career, but to develop a team that has now grown to be two riders strong. We have a full head of steam headed to Indianapolis next month, and with a great crew behind us, I can’t wait to get rolling.”
A 22-year veteran of the sport, Barnes has won at virtually every level of road racing. Along with Wyman and Tyler O’Hara, Barnes is one of only three riders to have captured a victory this year in the extremely competitive XR1200 class. In seven starts, he has finished on the podium all seven times.
Beginning Aug. 17-19 in Indianapolis, the top 10 riders in the XR1200 series will compete in a five-race dash for the 2012 championship. All 10 riders had their points reset after the last race in Ohio.
“I’m thrilled to have this opportunity,” Barnes said. “I’m looking forward to working with Kyle as a teammate as we have very similar riding styles and goals. There’s a lot to learn from that young man, even for me. He knows how to run a team and he represents his sponsors in a very professional manner.
“I wouldn’t be where I am this year if it weren’t for the support I’ve received from Josh Chisum and the Bartels’ team, and most especially from Dennis Espinosa’s MOB Racing, who came up with a race bike for me just a few days before the Barber round. Now I can’t wait to test my KLR Group/Spyke’s Harley-Davidson/Vesrah XR1200 and get this championship started.”