Sent on behalf of Harley-Davidson of Staten Island:

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. (December 16, 2016) - Harley-Davidson of Staten Island, N.Y., R&D Machine of Troy, Ohio and CR Motorsports of Denver, join forces in 2017 welcoming Danny Eslick and Stevie Bonsey as their 2017 riders. Though newly formed, those responsible for putting this team together are no strangers to American Flat Track.

Dan Daffner with R&D Machine had a long-standing relationship with Staten Island Harley-Davidson and Eslick. The family-owned Staten Island Harley-Davidson dealership with a rich history of racing was sold in April 2016 to Scott Reback and the name changed to Harley-Davidson of Staten Island. Reback who owns six car dealerships under Titan Motor Group and now Harley-Davidson of Staten Island was excited when he learned of the previous owner’s relationship with Daffner.

“I am a competitive person in business and in motorsports. I support all forms of motorsports racing including snowmobiles, jet skis, cars and now flat track. I am excited to get the Harley-Davidson name out there and to be able to have Harley-Davidson of Staten Island represented on a national level. I really am looking forward to helping this team win in 2017!” said Reback.

Daffner who has a long history of working with two-time Daytona 200 winner Eslick had this to say about the formation of the Harley-Davidson of Staten Island race team: “Our goals for 2017 are to be competitive at every national, finishing top 10.”

Eslick will race a modified schedule that will not interfere with his road racing program. Bonsey will race the full schedule. Equipment will consist of both Harley-Davidson XR750s and XG750Rs. Travis Smith and Carl Patrick will be tuning for the team.

“Harley-Davidson of Staten Island joining our program has made it possible for us to add the XG’s to our program and we are happy to have them join us,” Daffner continued.

Cliff Apter of CR Motorsports is one guy armed with a few XR750’s who wanted to build the sport by bringing quality racing to the American Flat Track series. Apter set out looking for a rider and in 2015 in Lima, Ohio he met Bonsey. They’ve been racing together since then with Travis Smith as their crew chief.

“I’m very excited to be part of a larger team. Joining forces with Dan Daffner and Danny Eslick was an easy decision and having a top-notch sponsor such as Harley-Davidson of Staten Island join our program makes the 2017 race season one I am really looking forward to. Bonsey, being injured most of 2016 was unfortunate but with 7 total podium finishes in his GNC1 career and wins in Calistoga (2012), Tucson (2012) and Daytona (2015) along, with several top 10 finishes, he is still the rider I wanted on my team in 2017,” said Apter.

 Bonsey spent a good portion on 2016 recovering from being injured but is in good spirits and had this to say regarding the 2017 season: “2016 is a year I’m glad is behind me. After a long recovery, I am glad to be back doing what I love. I’m excited to meet and work with the Harley-Davidson of Staten Island team and I am especially thankful for Cliff Apter holding my spot on his team while I recovered from such a devastating injury. I’ve been training and I’m ready for the Daytona Season Opener in March.”