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 ATV NEWS:
WIMMER CLINCHES ATV CHAMPIONSHIP!
July 28, 2008.
Team MSR / Suzuki / Yoshimura / Pro Taper’s Dustin Wimmer has clinched the 2008 Moose Racing/ ITP Tires AMA/ ATVA National Championship at the penultimate round at Red Bud Raceway in Buchanan, Michigan.
“This is great,” an excited Wimmer said after securing his first major championship. “I'm happy to be able to deliver this title for my fans, Suzuki and for our sponsors. All the hard work paid off and it feels really good.”
Suzuki QuadRacer R450-mounted Wimmer (#191) demonstrated the speed that has put him at the top of the points chart this season as he took home another Top Qualifier award. As the first moto began, however, Wimmer wisely opted to take it easy and secure the championship.
Meanwhile, team mate Chad Wienen took over at the front of the pack and set a furious pace. Wienen maintained his pace to the chequered flag while veteran Doug Gust rounded out the podium in third. Wimmer crossed the line in fourth, good enough to secure the championship.
Wienen went on to end the day in second overall with a 1-2 finish. Gust joined his team mate on the podium with a third overall (3-5), while newly-crowned champion Wimmer finished the day in fifth (4-6).
Wimmer was jubilant after the first moto. “This has been a great season. I just went out there and rode safely. My Suzuki team members deserve most of the credit. My bike has been just perfect all year, and that's how you win championships.”
Wimmer’s mechanic, Glen Schulde, received the “Mechanic of the Race Award.”
“We’ve worked really hard for this and it just doesn’t get any better,” Team Manager Kory Ellis explained. “It was a perfect combination this year - the bike, the riders, the mechanics and all the support we get from our sponsors just all came together.”
The championship is extra sweet for Suzuki as they are celebrating their 25th Anniversary of being “First on Four Wheels.”
Suzuki continues to dominate the Manufacturers’ Cup.
The final round of the 2008 Moose Racing/ITP Tires AMA/ATVA National Championship takes place August 9-10th in Hurricane Mills, Tn.
Round 10 Results,
1. Joe Byrd
2. Chad Wienen (Suzuki)
3. Doug Gust (Suzuki)
4. John Natalie
5. Dustin Wimmer (Suzuki)
Other Suzuki Winners at Red Bud include:
Cody Gibson - Pro Am Production and Pro Am Unlimited
Ryan Handshoe - Open C
Michael Logan Brewster - 4-Stroke A
Daniel Cooper - 4-Stroke B
Neal McGrath - College 16-24
Brian Jenkins - Vet 30 Plus (B/C)
Jeffery Thompson - Senior 40 Plus
Joel Hetrick - Schoolboy Sr. (15-17)
WARNIA WINS AT GLEN HELEN
July 25, 2008.
French Suzuki Pro ATV racer Jeremie Warnia made a guest appearance and took victory at the fifth round of the ITP QuadCross Series at Glen Helen Raceway, San Bernardino, California.
Warnia had a 2-1 victory, which was enough to clinch the overall from Doug Eichner. More interesting was that Warnia's Suzuki QuadRacer R450 was a nearly stock unit with only minor aftermarket modifications, including Yoshimura exhaust, Fox shocks and JB A-Arms. In a field of highly modified bikes, Warnia showed the true power of the stock machine to awed onlookers surrounding the challenging course.
In France, 21-year old Warnia is the national SuperQuad Champion of 2004, 2006 and 2007 as well as Spanish MX Cross Champion of 2006. In that year, he also attained second place in the French National Championship.
Warnia was excited to have the opportunity to race with the U.S. Pros and was very pleased with this victory. "I love racing in America," he said. "The tracks are really fun and the people I have met have been very nice to me. I always wanted to ride at Glen Helen as it is a well-known track in France. I look forward to trying to qualify for the Red Bud National event this weekend."
BORICH WINS SOMERSET GNCC
July 8, 2008.
Team Rockstar / Yoshimura / Suzuki's Chris Borich scored his second win of the season with a strong come-from-behind victory at Round 9 of the GNCC ATV series in Somerset, Pennsylvania at the weekend.
After a mid-pack start, Borich wasted no time heading to the front. By the end of the first lap, he was well on the move forward. On the second lap he made a successful pass for the lead. While the racing remained tight at the front, Borich would never surrender the lead and finished the race on the top step of the podium.
"The race went pretty good," said Borich. "We had a mid-pack start but got to the lead on the second lap and just held onto it from there!" Borich also had praise for the Suzuki QuadRacer R450 in a race that saw many riders plagued by mechanical problems. "The Suzuki worked awesome - all I had to do was ride it!"
The winning result moves Borich up to fifth in the points standings as only two points separate third and fifth place.
WIMMER WINS AT SUNSET RIDGE
May 13,2008.
Dustin Wimmer, topped the podium for the third time this season in the fifth round of the ITP Moose Racing ATV MX Series at Sunset Ridge MX in Walnut, Il.
Due to torrential rains and high winds, the event was reduced from its normal two 20-minutes plus two laps moto format, to a one moto event of only 15 minutes plus two laps. The course itself also had to be shortened due to flooding issues.
The challenge was set for the team and Wimmer's Suzuki QuadRacer R450 was up to the task as he pulled a monster holeshot at the drop of the gate. From there on, he looked like it was on rails as he expertly battled rain, mud and wind as well as other racers to the win.
"It was a mess out there," Wimmer explained after the race. "I knew I had to get the holeshot in order to just see the course. My Suzuki jumped off the line so hard; I just pushed forward and never looked back."
Team mates Doug Gust (#55) and Chad Wienen (#44) also got their QuadRacers off the blocks fast. Gust ran a great race finishing fourth at the flag. With some of the other contenders having a rough day, both Wimmer and Gust gained valuable points.
So far this season, Suzuki has won four of the five races held in this series.
Team Manager Kory Ellis was happy with the results: "Wimmer qualified with the fastest time on Saturday so we thought we'd have a good weekend. Then the rains came and threw a "Wild Card" into the mix. But Wimmer rode to another impressive win and pushed his points lead even further forward. Also, Gust is holding on to his second place spot and Suzuki is dominating the points in the race for the coveted Manufacturer's Cup."
GUST AND R450 DOMINATE AT BLUEGRASS NATIONALS
April 14, 2008.
Team Rockstar/ MSR/Suzuki/ Yoshimura/ Pro Taper's veteran Doug Gust took the Bluegrass ATV National with a 2-2 win on Sunday as team mate Dustin Wimmer won the first moto and ended the day in the third position.
Gust placed second at the previous race in Pell City Alabama, but turned the tables and finished up on top. Wimmer still enjoys a commanding points lead in the series championship which has seen Suzuki QuadRacers dominate.
Gust felt good to notch this overall win: "I'm 41 years old and know that I can still do this. I'm getting great support from my team and my Suzuki QuadRacer R450 keeps pulling me to the front."
Rain and mud proved to be a challenge for all the racers in the second moto, adding another challenging element to the already difficult track at Ballance Moto X. "Doug has more experience in this kind of condition and it showed today," Team Manager Kory Ellis said. "We're all really proud to see him back up on top."
Chad Wienen looked like he was going to dominate the weekend by qualifying the fastest on Saturday but uneven moto scores again due to the muddy conditions netted him11th place overall.
The team is still holding the top three spots in the points race with a commanding lead by Wimmer with 134 points; Gust with 113 and Wienen with 89.
In the amateur classes, Suzuki took many of the top honours with Cody Gibson taking first in both the Pro Am Production and Unlimited classes and Michael Brewster winning the 450A class.
The ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA/ATVA Pro ATV Championship Series continues on April 26-27 in Danville, Va.
SUZUKI’S 25 YEARS OF ATV CELEBRATION
April 1, 2008:
American Suzuki is inviting all Suzuki ATV owners to join in the 25th Anniversary celebration of ATV production throughout 2008 at five regional ATV events.
Activities will vary by location, but look for a big Suzuki hospitality tent with food, prizes, demo rides and youth events scheduled.
In 1983, Suzuki introduced the QuadRunner LT-125 - the industry’s first 4-wheeled ATV - and began a 25-year history of Suzuki delivering ATVs with cutting edge innovation, proven reliability and raw power.
During this quarter century, Suzuki has done more than just give birth to a new industry; it continuously sets new standards as to what consumers should demand in quality and performance. In addition to being First on 4 Wheels, Suzuki has also led the way by being First with youth quads and sport quads, First with independent suspension and differential lock and First with a race-ready motocross quad.
"Suzuki is committed to being the leader in both the motorcycle and ATV industries and our products reflect that,” said Mel Harris, Vice President of American Suzuki’s Motorcycle/ATV division. “We are dedicated to challenging ourselves to develop new and exciting technology that will continue to move the product line forward."
Suzuki's 25th Anniversary "First on 4 Wheels" Celebration Locations:
May 3-4: WPSA ATV Open Championship, Oak Hill Raceway, Alvord, TX
June 14-15: WPSA ATV Open Championship, Wild Cat Creek MX, Rossville, IN
July 30-August 3: Oregon DuneFest, Winchester Bay, OR
September 15-20: Rocky Mountain ATV Jamboree, Richfield, UT
October 9-13: Hatfield McCoy TrailFest, Gilbert WV
WIMMER WINS AT MILL CREEK
March 31, 2008:
The second round of the ITP/Moose Racing AMA ATV Motocross Series gave Dustin Wimmer his fourth straight moto win, second straight overall win and a commanding points lead.
Team mate Doug Gust was third on the Mill Creek Raceway podium with a 5-2 moto score and third team member Chad Wienen had a top ten finish, carding second in moto one.
The weekend started off strong for Team Rockstar / MSR / Suzuki / Yoshimura / Pro Taper with Wienen posting quickest qualifying times on Saturday. Wimmer posted the second fastest time on the Pell City, Alabama track. Sunday morning practice had all three Team Suzuki Quadracer R450s showing best times, led by Wimmer.
Wimmer has been the man to beat this season; so far no one has been able to touch the Center Valley, Pa. native. Every time he moves into the lead, he simply checks out, leaving the field in the dust, or in this case Alabama mud.
"I'm just really focused this year," Wimmer explained about his winning streak. "I have a much stronger, more serious mindset. I trained really hard over the winter and the Suzuki QuadRacer is the best quad out there by far."
Team Manager Kory Ellis was pleased with - but not surprised by - Wimmer's winning streak: "We've been training really hard and did a lot of testing in the off season plus we have a really great support team."
Doug Gust was happy to be on the podium for the first time this year. "I got a good start and my QuadRacer R450 was really awesome."
Wimmer, Wienen, and Gust, are all looking forward to the next event two weeks out in Bowling Green, Ky. Suzuki QuadRacers are on a roll in 2008!
ATKINS TO SUZUKI
March 31, 2008:
British Quad Endurance Champion Steve Atkins has signed to ride an MKM Rocketman Suzuki LT-R450 in the QRA British championships this year, joining fellow Pro-Class star Andrew Davies in the new team.
Atkins has won the British title on a Honda for the past two years and so the MKM Rocketman squad is obviously taking the job very seriously by stealing the champ.
As well as Suzuki GB, other team sponsors include BKT tyres, Putoline oils and Fox Shox.
WIMMER WINS AT GLEN HELEN
March 10th, 2008:
The ITP/Moose Racing AMA ATV Motocross Series opened its 12-race season at Glen Helen Raceway this weekend with a big win from Suzuki.
While the best quad racers in the world showed up for bragging rights, Team Rockstar / MSR / Suzuki / Yoshimura / ProTaper showed its dominance by earning first and second-place finishes on this famous track.
Suzuki team mates Chad Wienen, Doug Gust and Dustin Wimmer were all top qualifiers, fastest in timed practice. From high atop the victory podium, Wimmer claimed the number one spot on his Suzuki QuadRacer R450 while Wienen stood right next to him in second overall. Gust rounded out the top five with a fine fifth place finish on the day.
Wimmer pulled out a huge lead in both motos dominating the competition in convincing fashion with 1/1 moto scores. Wienen's 2/2 moto scores said the rest.
"We've been doing a bunch of testing and things just seem to be getting better and better," Wimmer said. "We have the fastest motors, Fox is doing a great job with our shocks and the Suzuki QuadRacer R450 is just plain awesome."
Team Rockstar / MSR / Suzuki / Yoshimura / Pro Taper Team Manager Kory Ellis said: "I don't know how, but the Suzuki QuadRacers just keep getting better... the new model has an even more powerful engine and the suspension is great. The Suzukis and our riders look like the ones to beat... It's the best possible way to start a season."
BORICH DOMINATES ‘THE TRITON’
March 3, 2008:
Suzuki rider Chris Borich dominated the first round of the GNCC Championship series at the Kempfer Ranch in Melbourne, Florida. Known as "The Triton" this event is a tough test of man and machine.
Borich, from Sunbury PA, rode his Suzuki QuadRacer R450 to a commanding victory, pulling to a nearly two-minute margin of victory at the chequered flag. The new track was a real challenge to all riders and Borich felt that his QuadRacer helped make the winning difference.
"The track was much rougher than in the past," the 25 year old Borich said after the event. "Palmetto roots everywhere, heat, holes, trees, it was a tough one. I love this Suzuki. It's my first race on it, but as soon as I got on the bike I was comfortable."
The race went well for Borich. He was jostled a bit off the start then steadily picked off riders, and passed into the lead on lap two. "The early leaders got tired pretty quickly and I was able to get past them. Once I got into the lead - I just took off."
Asked how he rated the overall performance of the Suzuki, seven year Pro-class veteran Borich said, "Awesome! The best bike I've been on. I've ridden other brands, but this thing just blows them away. The Suzuki has a really low centre of gravity, is super fast and responsive, the front end is great... the whole package makes it easy to go fast on. Those other guys were getting beat up by the track. I had an advantage with the QuadRacer."
Borich's plan is to take the Championship one race at a time. Sunday's result was obviously just part of the plan. The series continues next weekend in Washington, GA.
SUZUKI UNVEILS 2008 FACTORY SQUAD
February 16, 2008.
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.
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 American 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."
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.
"I'm proud to have been given this opportunity," Ellis said. "I love ATVs and the sport; and I'm fortunate to be able to transition from racer to Team Manager. We have a great group of personnel and sponsors and the 2008 QuadRacers are really fast. It’s a good mix for sure. I'm proud to lead these guys and am sure we will have a good season."
Also joining the team this year is Lost Creek Cycles owner Kevin Mummah. Kevin's job will be Crew Chief for the three riders and mechanics.
Veteran engine builder Ryan Cox returns as well as Yoshimura engine technician Gilbert Lujan. New mechanics include Theo Lusardi who will wrench for Wienen, Casey Greek for Gust, and Michael Jackson for Wimmer.
Jeremiah Jones returns as rider coach and team advisor. JJ feels that the team is ready. "Our guys are ready to tear it up!" an excited Jones said. "They've been working really hard and have stepped it up a notch from last year. 2008 is shaping up to be a very competitive season but we're up for the challenge."
John Shelburne will be returning as the team truck driver to keep everything rolling along smoothly.
The team will contest the SuperQuad Pro Division of the World Powersports ATV Tour as well as many of the ATVA GNC Series races for the 2008 season.
CRUEL LUCK FOR ROCKETMAN SUZUKI
Britons Steve Atkins, Andrew Davies and Jason Wildman riding a Rocketman Racing-prepared Suzuki LT-R450 suffered a broken gearbox in the final hour of the Quad Ravos nine hour race at Terri del Ravos in north east Spain, dropping them from a strong second place to 12th in the final standings.
The team qualified in fifth spot in the Saturday afternoon timed session and a fast Le-Mans type start saw Wildman begin the Saturday evening five hour session in second place. As the sunlight faded and the quad lights came on, the Rocketman team remained in the top half dozen or so, and then settled into a safe second at the three hour mark. Atkins came in with a blown rear shock and the Rocketman team quickly replaced it with the standard shock and set off again, climbing back up to fifth place as the first session finished at midnight.
The final four-hour session started at 10am on Sunday and again the Rocketman team kept on the top pace and climbed back up to second spot in heat wave conditions. With an hour to go, Atkins had been losing ratios and the Suzuki box finally called it a day. The LT-R was loaded and the riders changed by the time the Spanish Yamaha team of Planella, Prat and Ferre took the chequered flag ahead of the Gas Gas team of Ullastres, Ullastres and Serra. The Spanish Suzuki team of Gobert, Solinski and Gobert completed the podium.
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