American Suzuki announces 2010 racing plans

Suzuki will consolidate its on- and off-road racing efforts under the Yoshimura umbrella, the manufacturer announced at the International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach, Calif.“Yoshimura will be managing Suzuki racing efforts in Supercross, Motocross, Road Racing, and ATV Racing,” says Don Sakakura, senior vice president of Yoshimura R&D of America. “We hope to be able to showcase the performance of the Suzuki line of high-performance motorcycles and ATVs. Suzuki is proud of their products and is ready for the upcoming racing season. We at Yoshimura are equally looking forward to 2010.”

Suzuki won six championships in 2009, winning titles in Supercross, Motocross, Road Racing and ATV racing. With returning sponsors Rockstar Energy Drink and Makita, Suzuki will try to repeat those results in 2010.“Suzuki products are truly industry leading and we stand behind them 100 percent,” says Steve Bortolamedi, senior advertising manager for Suzuki. “We proved that last year with our six titles. For 2010, what better way to demonstrate this again than by putting our reputation on the line?”

Blake Young and the Rockstar Makita Suzuki road racing team recently held a two-day test at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.Part of the challenge of repeating is overcoming the loss of some of Suzuki’s 2009 champions.With the retirement of 2009 AMA American Superbike Champion Mat Mladin, Suzuki will enter a two-man team of returning riders Tommy Hayden and Blake Young on the multiple-time championship-winning GSX-R1000.

Suzuki loses another champion in Chad Reed. The 2009 AMA Motocross Champion and Supercross runner-up has signed with Monster Kawasaki. Ryan Dungey, the reigning AMA Supercross Lites West and 250 Motocross Champion moves up to the 450 class and will race on the RM-Z450. Dungey will be joined by Australian Supercross Liets and Motocross Lites Champion Matt Moss. Austin Stroupe will be the team’s lone Lites racer, riding the RM-Z250.Josh Strang will return to race in the GNCC XC1 class in 2010, after finishing second in the final 2009 standings.