DOUG GUST, DUSTIN WIMMER, CHAD WIENEN
February 16, 2008 - Brea, CA -The Suzuki factory ATV team is all fired up and ready for the 2008 ATV racing season. At a press conference luncheon held in at the Dealer Expo in Indianapolis, the new team roster was introduced. All three riders from 2007 MX team are returning; the support group is a mixture of veteran team members and new blood, and four new sponsors have joined the effort.
In addition, Team Suzuki is proud to welcome Chris Borich to its racing stable as a contracted rider. Borich will be riding the KingQuad 750 in the WPSA QuadTerrain Pro Class and the QuadRacer R450 in the GNCC Pro Class. Last year, Borich placed second overall in the GNCC and fourth overall in WPSA.
"This is a really great opportunity for me," Borich said upon hearing the news. "Both these quads are great and I know they'll give me a definite advantage. I hope to bring home a championship for Suzuki this year."
In ATV motocross, Team Rockstar/MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper is very proud to welcome Makita Tools as a new program partner for their ATV efforts. Makita is a quality company known around the world as the leader in power tools. Makita has expanded its role with Suzuki and is the team's second "non-industry" sponsor.
SUZUKI'S GLENN HANSEN
Brent Withey, Makita Brand Manager issued this statement: "Makita's partnership with Suzuki in motocross and supercross has been an excellent fit. The expansion of our sponsorship into ATV with Suzuki and our new partner, Rockstar Energy Drinks, takes us to another level in the world of hard core racing, and is a great way for us to reach the many tradesmen and serious tool users that follow these high-energy events."
From within the powersports industry the team has three new sponsors: Motorex Oil of Switzerland, JB Racing, and Xceldyne.
"Team Rockstar/MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper is an established, professional operation with three of the fastest riders on the circuit," Jody Bateman, owner of JB Racing, Inc. said. "Everyone here is looking forward to the team bringing JB Racing products to the podium."
For Amerian Suzuki, 2008 is a hallmark year. "This year Suzuki is celebrating its 25th Anniversary of being First on Four Wheels," Suzuki Sports Promotion Manager, Pat Alexander said. "Throughout this quarter century, Suzuki has been the leader in sport ATVs, from the Quadzilla to today's QuadRacer R450. We continue to bring the high-performance excitement of this sport to all riders. The QuadRacer R450 has proven to be the bike to beat for the past two years earning the prestigious Manufacturer's Cup and 2008 will be no exception."
Steve Johnson, COO of Tucker Rocky expressed his enthusiasm for the team: "We are entering our second year of working with the Suzuki factory team and we are more excited about this next season than ever before. We look at these events as much more than races between some great individuals and teams... to Tucker Rocky, we see these events as an opportunity to educate consumers and dealers about the fun and the opportunity there is in the ATV segment of our industry."
"The sport has grown tremendously over the last few years," Yoshimura's Brant Russell commented. "It is exciting being a part of this growth curve. It is particularly gratifying to see both outside industry, as well as powersports leaders participating. The Team is anxious to get out there and compete and pay back the confidence these fine companies have in the Suzuki ATV racing efforts. The Suzuki QuadRacer R450 is definitely the machine to be on, and we've got great talent and depth within the team. We have a really good chance to stand at the top of the podium by the time the season is over."
TUCKER ROCKY'S ROD LOPUSNAK SPEAKING - MSR/PRO TAPER'S DAVE CASELLA SEATED
The depth is obvious at a glance. Team Rockstar / MSR / Suzuki / Yoshimura / Pro Taper once again has multi-time champion and ATV icon #55 Doug Gust who is ready and wanting to use his raw speed and experience to beat the kids. Racer #44 Chad Wienen is returning to the team and with his experience gained in 2007, he will be a player in the championship. Team MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper's #191 Dustin Wimmer is as smooth as silk and blindingly fast. He intends to show the world that he will be the one to claim the top step.
In the support group, 2007 ITP Quad Cross series Champion, veteran (now retired) pro racer and Yoshimura ATV division manager Kory Ellis, has been elevated to Team Manager.