2008 SUZUKI MOTORCYCLE RACING ACTIVITIES
Suzuki Motor Corporation is pleased to announce its motorcycle
racing activities for 2008. Through its racing participation
across the globe, Suzuki will publicise the superiority of
its motorcycle products to the world market and reaffirm its
racing heritage to the public.
ROAD RACING
1) MotoGP World Championship:
Class: MotoGP. Machine: GSV-R. Team: RIZLA SUZUKI MotoGP.
Riders: Loris Capirossi, Chris Vermeulen.
In 2007, the factory RIZLA SUZUKI MotoGP team participated
in this class with two riders, John Hopkins and Chris Vermeulen,
aboard the 2007 GSV-R, a machine whose engine capacity had
been reduced from 990cc to 800cc in accordance with regulation
changes. The newly-developed 800cc engine was the perfect
match for its finely honed chassis, inherited from the 2006
model. Making the most of this harmony of handling and power,
Hopkins achieved four brilliant podium finishes and ended
the season in fourth position in the world championship, an
outstanding improvement on his previous championship standing
of 10th. His team mate Chris Vermeulen also rode excellently
and achieved a maiden win for himself and the GSV-R at the
French GP. Vermeulen's fine form continued as he clinched
podium finishes in the UK, San Marino and in the US, which
culminated in a series ranking of sixth. The team achieved
one double podium at the San Marino GP, where Hopkins finished
second and Vermeulen third. The GSV-R claimed eight podium
finishes during the 2007 season, representing great success
for the RIZLA SUZUKI MotoGP team.
For 2008, the team is sponsored once again by RIZLA, and
Chris Vermeulen is joined by experienced Italian star Loris
Capirossi. Needless to say, the bolstered RIZLA Suzuki MotoGP
team will be vying for the championship win.
2) Superbike World Championship:
Class: SBK. Machine: GSX-R1000. Team: Team ALSTARE SUZUKI.
Riders: Yukio Kagayama, Fonsi Nieto, Max Neukirchner.
In 2007, Max Biaggi finished third overall, which was an
outstanding achievement in what was his debut season in this
ultra-competitive championship.
In 2008, Team ALSTARE SUZUKI will comprise three riders -
the hot-blooded Japanese star Yukio Kagayama, Spanish newcomer
Fonsi Nieto and newly-appointed German rider Max Neukirchner.
They will race aboard the refined 2008 GSX-R1000 in an attempt
to win back the championship title.
3) World Endurance Championship:
Class: EWC. Machine: GSX-R1000. Team: SERT (Suzuki Endurance
Racing Team).
In 2007, the Suzuki France-supported SERT (Suzuki Endurance
Racing Team) claimed its third successive Championship title.
Furthermore, at the third round of the series, the Suzuka
eight-hour Endurance race, the Yoshimura Suzuki team pairing
of Yukio Kagayama and Kousuke Akiyoshi won the race, claiming
Yoshimura Suzuki Team's first win of this prestigious race
for 27 years and Suzuki's first win for 24 years.
In 2008, SERT will aim to reclaim the championship and take
its tally to four straight wins.
4) AMA Superbike championship:
Class: SBK. Machine: GSX-R1000. Team: ROCKSTAR MAKITA YOSHIMURA
SUZUKI.
Riders: Ben Spies, Mat Mladin, Tommy Hayden.
In 2007, ROCKSTAR MAKITA YOSHIMURA SUZUKI riders Mat Mladin
and Ben Spies had a close contest from the beginning of the
series. Spies claimed his second consecutive championship
title with a lead of just one point over his team mate, giving
Suzuki its fifth consecutive championship title.
In 2008, the team will continue to participate in the championship
with the title-holder Spies, Mladin and Tommy Hayden. Together
they will seek to renew the record of six consecutive wins
for the team.
5) British Superbike championship:
Class: BSB. Machine: GSX-R1000. Team: Team RIZLA SUZUKI.
Riders: Atsushi Watanabe, Tom Sykes.
For the 2008 British Superbike championship, Team RIZLA SUZUKI
will participate with the 2007 Japan Superbike champion Atsushi
Watanabe and British contender Tom Sykes. It has been four
years since a Japanese rider fought for this championship
with Suzuki - when Yukio Kagayama participated in 2003/ 04.
6) Japan Superbike championship:
Class: JSB1000. Machine: GSX-R1000. Team: Team YOSHIMURA
SUZUKI.
Riders: Kousuke Akiyoshi, Daisaku Sakai.
In 2007, YOSHIMURA SUZUKI rider Atsushi Watanabe won the
championship title while his new team mate Daisaku Sakai finished
in third position in what was his debut year in the series.
It was Watanabe's second title win and the first for Yoshimura
in 18 years, since Doug Polen won his title in 1989 (TT-F1/F3
double wins).
In 2008 Sakai and Suzuka eight-hour endurance race winner
Akiyoshi will participate in this class, aiming for the second
consecutive win for YOSHIMURA SUZUKI.
MOTOCROSS
Motocross World Championship:
Class: MX1. Machine: RM-Z450. Team: Team SUZUKI WMX Grand
Prix.
Riders: Steve Ramon, Ken De Dycker.
In 2007, Suzuki participated in the World Motocross MX1 class
with Kevin Strijbos and Steve Ramon aboard the RM-Z450, fighting
for the championship title. Ramon achieved sterling podium
finishes from the beginning of the series, bringing the World
Title back to Suzuki after an interval of five years. Meanwhile,
Strijbos claimed a total of 14 podiums, including double wins
at the Czech GP, ranking second overall in the series. This
combined dominance meant the RM-Z450 claimed the top two positions
and brought Suzuki the manufacturer title as well.
In 2008, with the champion Ramon and newly-appointed 2005
Germany MX championship title-holder Ken De Dycker, Suzuki
will aim to retain the title.
2) AMA Supercross:
Class: Supercross. Machine: RM-Z450. Team: ROCKSTAR MAKITA
SUZUKI TEAM.
Riders: David Vuillemin, Mike Alessi, Michael Byrne.
For 2008, the ROCKSTAR MAKITA SUZUKI TEAM will see Michael
Byrne and newcomers David Vuillemin and Mike Alessi contest
the class aboard the RM-Z450.
3) All Japan Motocross championship:
Class: IA1. Machine: RM-Z450. Team: Team SUZUKI.
Riders: Youhei Kojima, Yoshiki Kitai, Kuraudo Toda
In 2007, Youhei Kojima consistently earned points from the
beginning of the series and overcame an injury suffered during
the last part of the series to rank third overall. Yoshiki
Kitai attained fifth position overall, the best of his career,
while Toda suffered from injury mid-season and finished in
10th position.
For 2008, endeavouring to build on the success of last season,
the three talented Team SUZUKI riders will continue to run
in the IA class. The team will strive for the title by making
careful use of the precious data acquired in 2007.
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