LOCK PORT, N.Y. (April 8, 2009) - Steve's Custom Cycle is pleased to announce the sponsorship support of 17 year old up an comer rider James "the Rocket" Rispoli. The young gun from Attica NY just came off his first AMA Pro Dirttrack National win at the Daytona short track as well as a 5th place finish at VIRginia International Raceway in the WERA 600 Superstock class against the best contingency hunters in the business.

According to owner Steve Morse, "I recently met James through my brother Darren who worked with him last October at Road Atlanta. The kid is focused, fast and funny to boot. We will provide space for the team to work on the bikes at the shop and a parts budget to help them this season. I think James has the potential to go far and it will be fun to see him get on the podium with a little bit of our help."

Keeping it all in the family, younger brother 34 year old Darren Morse has signed on to be James' personal mechanic and crew chief for the season. Darren, a past BMX and Go-Kart racer started racing and repairing his own motorcycles at the age of 9. Darren grew up around his fathers NASCAR and Dirt modified's and began working and fabricating race cars at age 13. He became a General Motors world class technician at age 23. In 1997, Darren met Max McAllister and started working with him in the early stages of what is now Traxxion Dynamics, a world class leader in suspension technology. Darren also singed on and worked with Rich Conwrath and Don Finelli on the AMA Formula Extreme Buell Racing Team.

"I'm not easily impressed having worked with some top riders and teams in the past" said the younger Morse. "This kid has a very strong racing background, has been hammering it out at the national dirt track level for years and always manages to get to the front of the pack. James is an incredibly young and focused athlete that communicates well; I saw that the first time I worked with him at Road Atlanta last October. I think we're going to have a great season together."

The team, along with title sponsor NPS Racing Engines will race WERA National and Regional races as well as select AMA Supersport venues.

"I am really blessed to have such great people who believe in me as I moved forward in my career as a professional motorcycle racer," said James. "Darren and I started to gel together well at the GNF at Road Atlanta last October. A couple of weeks ago we went to VIR and really did well not only at the race, but the testing day on Monday. We learned a lot and lowered my times another 1.2 seconds on used up tires.
It was clear to me having a dedicated crew chief who really knows suspension and chassis set up is going to make a huge difference in my program. Also, having Steve's Custom Cycle set aside shop space and a lift, as well as parts support is amazing too. I can't thank these guys enough for their support."