TEAM
HISTORY/RESULTS
Team
Information Links:
TEAM
INTRODUCTION
RPS
RACER DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
RPS
BIKE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
PRO-RIDER
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The Beginning - The
idea for a "team"
As Marcus McBain opened RPS in 2003, the
main focus was the pursuit of excellence in any facet that it pursued. Initially
RPS was focused on suspension development, but many times issues that seem to be
suspension related are actual mechanical issues. A really great suspension tuner
needs to be knowledgeable in all disciplines of motorcycle mechanics and riding.
RPS customers won over 400 races in the first two full years of its operation
(2004-2005) in CMRA and MRA sprint action as well as retail customers in other
clubs.
The amount of "proof of
theory" experience was immense as well as the gained knowledge. McBain's
success in building and tuning components in several AMA races at tracks that
were "hard to get the right setup", it was apparent that anything was
possible. By 2005, McBain started the Pro-Rider
Development program which took advantage of his knowledge and AMA experience
in working with riders and teams. The goal of the team/program was to "take
a rider from scratch" and within a year they would be able to compete in
the AMA. With McBain's relationships and knowledge of how AMA teams worked, it
would be very feasible. When Shea Fouchek graduated from the program and he went
to the AMA (straight from Novice to AMA Pro after 3 races in 2005), the program
and team concept proved its ability immediately.
The only setback that
McBain has experienced with the team is that in 2006 Marcus took on the entire responsibility
of
developing Liberty Motorsports
Park when a potential partnership never materialized. This action caused RPS
to be closed to the public in 2007 so that McBain could develop the public
financing structures for the project. Despite this long term commitment,
Marcus has kept the RPS racing team(s) operating as they have proven to be a
solid platform for riders to develop and the results in 2006 and 2007 proved
that belief to be correct.
Recent History of RPSRaceTeam.com
Since 2009, Danny Kelsey and Marcus
McBain have run the RPSRaceTeam.com team jointly, while working around funding
and cash flow challenges. This has greatly reduced cost and ensured the
stability of the team. In 2009 & 2010, the team ran under the RPS/Liberty
Motorsports Park name with partial sponsorship provided by the developing
motorsports park through its Coca-Cola partnership. Kelsey was able to capture
the 600 Superstock and 600 Superbike CMRA Expert Championships. 2010 was a
particularly difficult year for the team as Marcus McBain was forced to miss 3
rounds to negotiate contracts for the Liberty Motorsports Park project that
unfortunately did not complete. Billy Wiese of WRW Racing however was able
to assist as well as Danny’s father Ken Kelsey during 2010.
McBain and Kelsey decided for Danny to
accept an outside sponsorship offer (M&M Road Racing) in light of the
challenges of 2010. Danny had received previous inquiries about riding for other
teams, but both
generally felt that it was best to keep working closely while Danny continued to
develop his skill(s). 2011 showed that Kelsey had probably learned all he needed
a
s he was able to master the CBR-1000’s of the M&M Road Racing Team with
phone setup help from McBain. As the 2011 Season developed, it was clear that
Kelsey was a favorite for the #1 plate in the CMRA, but Danny was going to have
to battle “head to head” with his main rivals to secure the opportunity. RPS
and M&M competed as a “joint effort” for the remainder of the season.
This helped greatly as McBain and Kelsey could really focus on bike setup in a
manner they had not been able to before. Kelsey won 19 races in 2011 as a
result. The team had pulled the GSXR-750 that he campaigned in 2010 after the 4th
round and Kelsey won on his Suzuki nearly every weekend he raced it. Danny
secured the CMRA overall sprint championship on October 23rd,
2011. Kelsey and McBain decided to split with
M&M after the season and continue to work together to help Danny continue to
master some
of his skills.
RPS
COMPANY/TEAM HIGHLIGHTS
2002:
RPS manager Marcus McBain works with Dave Wonders of Ride Smart to "turn
around the organization" after a disasterous track day at Texas World
Speedway that McBain attended as a customer.
2003:
Company opens for business. RPS makes immediate impact in CMRA and MRA markets.
RPS manager Marcus McBain completes intensive training with Max McAlister of
Traxxion Dynamics.
2004
- 2005 RPS is
open to the public and begins working with Ty Howard and over the next two years,
the pairing (along with engine builder Steve Upchurch and Geoff Maloney of GP
Tech LLC) allows Howard to be a top runner at Nationals with a "pickup
truck and trailer" operation. RPS becomes the #1 suspension company in the
MRA and CMRA.
2006
- RPS focuses on the "RPS Race Team
effort" with Danny Kelsey, Bill Drake, Todd Fleeman, and Tony Moore and
rides under the "RPS/Komodo" banner
2007
- RPS
"re-loads" the RPS Race Team effort with new riders Dustin Doucet and
Billy Lee and rides under the "RPS/Repsol" banner
2008
- 2011
To find out more about the team, the
riders, Danny Kelsey, and the strategies the team employs please click on any of
the references at the top of this page.