Motorcycle-Superstore.com rider Holster always looking forward MEDFORD, Ore. (July 26) – When Motorcycle-Superstore.com Bell Helmet rider Roi Holster realized the end of the trail of his motocross career had come, he didn’t want to give up on racing motorcycles. “I’m extremely passionate about racing,” Holster said. “I’m not one who is really going to let much get in my way. I discovered road racing kind of late in my life, but I found I really loved it, so I went for it.” roi33 So Holster, who turns 50 later this year, embarked on a second career as a privateer road racer in the GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing Series. “I discovered road racing accidently,” Holster said. “After I stopped racing motocross, I got a street bike and went to a track day. After my first track day, I realized I didn’t want to ride on the street anymore. “From there I started club racing locally and became successful. As a competitor, I was looking for the next level and AMA Pro racing was the place to go.” He spent the first few years of his second pro career riding in the Motorcycle-Superstore.com SuperSport class, racing mostly against teenagers trying to make their mark in the sport. “In SuperSport you have the top half of the field who are young riders showcasing themselves to be able to get the attention of a factory ride,” Holster said. “The back half of the field is generally local expert riders and entry-level riders who are trying to get to the front of the pack. I was sandwiched in the middle of all that.” Before participating at last weekend’s event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Holster’s Napacom Racing/Mach 1 Motorsports Yamaha team underwent some major changes, including a move up to the GoPro Daytona SportBike class. “We feel like we made the right decision,” Holster said. “We brought in a crew chief, who made us evaluate everything and go back to the drawing board. We’re going to have to refine a few things in order to move up. “It’s a little more prestigious class with prime TV coverage. It’s actually a safer class for me. The SportBike has a higher level of experience, and it forces me to raise my game.” Keeping an eye on safety has been on Holster’s mind following a crash at Road America that led to a broken ankle and surgery to insert a plate and nine screws to put it all back together. “I’ve been dealt some challenges along the way,” Holster said. “I’m not one to let a whole lot slow me down. I’m pretty headstrong about keeping moving forward.” Despite having a new crew and trying to dial in his new bike at the same time, Holster was happy with the way his first SportBike race turned out. “We got qualified, finished the race, and ended up in the top 20,” Holster said. “It’s given the team a lot of confidence, and we’re looking forward to some better results at our next race.” Holster said he’s going to enjoy his racing time now, but he still has his eye on the next step. “Once I got behind the handlebars of a road racing bike, I felt like I discovered the Fountain of Youth,” Holster said. “It was exciting and I had the skill set to do it. It has become a lifestyle for me. It requires a lot of planning, and you have to be fit and build a lot of relationships. The reward for all that work is unbelievable. “I’m interested in helping people develop their passion for the sport. I’ve been an instructor at track days. I’m want to be involved in the road racing community in any facet I can for a long time to come.”