When you’re at the front of the pack, it’s easy to look ahead. James Rispoli and the ANT Racing team are currently at the top of the AMA Supersport east coast standings, and they are looking forward to mid-Ohio, the AMA Supersport championship fight, and a possible move to the Daytona Sportbike series.
Barber Motorsports Park
I got a chance to talk with James before the Barber Motorsports Park event, and something he said stuck with me throughout the weekend. “A win is a good day,” James said. “A podium is a bad day.”
A little cocky, I thought, but James meant it. Rispoli and the ANT Racing team are not racing for second place. They’re aiming for wins. They’re aiming at the Supersport title.
During the first race at Barber, Rispoli fell just short of the race win. Rispoli and Benny Solis went back and fourth down the Alabama circuit, but with a few laps to go, Rispoli got stuck behind a lapper and Solis rode away with the race 1 win.
“I’m not disappointed,” Rispoli said. “But I definitely think I could have had the win. I made a bad judgement call on a lapper, the tires weren’t holding out. It was a tough race. Benny rode a smart race. I have to give him props.”
At the start of race two, Rispoli jumped off the line to take a 1.5 second lead by the end of the first lap.
“Before James went out there, he said, ‘I’m going to win this race. I’m going to check out.’” said David Ashi, the President of Ant Racing.
Rispoli and Solis would enter into another fantastic duel around the Barber Motorsports Park track. Rispoli led the way around the Alabama circuit but Solis was there the entire time, waiting for Rispoli to make that one mistake that would hand over the lead.
When that mistake did come, Solis seized the opportunity to take control of the race. But his lead was short-lived, as Rispoli passed him back just a few turns later and crossed the line .06 seconds ahead of the Honda rider.
"James rode an incredibly smart and mature race today," said Phil Rispoli, James’ father. "He is really stepping up his game both on and off the track and we are all very proud of him. In addition, his timing for a win in such dramatic form was awesome. It was the perfect father's day present."
The AMA Supersport Championship
Rispoli has claimed three podium finishes in just four races this season. If you add in the Road America event (which was not an East coast points event) Rispoli can add one more tally to the podium column. The Ant Racing rider leads the east coast division with 92 points, and has his sights set on the AMA Supersport title.
“We want to win the championship,” Rispoli said. “I don’t have a lot of road racing experience. So to do this, at Barber, I’m really excited for the rest of the season.”
The win at Barber Motorsports Park was only the second in Rispoli’s AMA career, but the ANT Racing rider is confident that there will be a few more to come.
“We’re very confident for Mid-Ohio,” Rispoli said. “It’s game on. I’ve really been working hard and it’s starting to pay off.”
Daytona Sportbike
James has had a pretty good 2011 Supersport season so far, but he still has quite a way to go if he truly wants to be called the Supersport champion. But that doesn’t mean that he can’t look ahead. Rispoli and the ANT Racing team are looking at the Supersport series as a stepping stone, a way to prepare for the DSB.
“We want to win,” Rispoli said. “But we’re also looking at this season as a way to learn the tracks and to get to the DSB. Our times are there. We’re very confident.”
Ashi is also focused on getting James to the next level.
“We’ve got to go to the DSB,” Ashi said. “Everything we’re doing right now is to learn, to get ready for next year.”
And Rispoli has talent to compete at the next level. He has ambition. He has the speed. But possibly the most important part of his success has been his support system.
When most riders come into the press room after a race, they usually come alone. Some will bring in their girlfriends, wives, or pit bosses. But for Rispoli, the entire crew hangs in the back taking pictures, talking about the race, and waiting for the chance to congratulate their friend.
“We’re family,” James said. “My crew is just great. We are a really tight knit group.”
The AMA Supersport season is still young, and Rispoli has a long way to go to become the Supersport champion. But I'm confident that the ANT Racing rider will have more good days than bad days. From Mid-Ohio, to the Supersport Championship, to the DSB, Rispoli is ready for the next challenge.
[You can see a few more action shots of James Rispoli here.]
