Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/858916
IN THE WIND P46 JGRMX TO HEAD SUZUKI FACTORY SX/MX EFFORT S uzuki Motor of America, Inc. (SMAI) announced last week the formation of the AutoTrader/ Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Rac- ing Team. The newly formed team will compete in the Monster Energy/AMA Supercross and Lucas Oil/AMA Pro Motocross Championship Series in both the 450 and 250 classes. The team is an expansion of the cur- rent relationship between Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) and Suzuki, and will operate as the primary factory-level effort. Kerry Graeber, SMAI's Vice President of Sales and Market- ing, commented on the next step in the company's ongoing goal of expanding its business. "Racing is an important part of our effort to sell off-road products, and we're looking forward to an even stronger relationship with Joe Gibbs Racing," said Graeber. "JGR is one of the most well- respected operations in racing. They share our vision of building a top-level team with elite athletes competing for championships." Suzuki is in the midst of redefining its motocross brand through grass roots racing and a more clearly defined path for rid- ers to progress through the ranks of racing from amateur to profes- sional. The company launched the RM Army initiative in 2016. Riders competing on Suzuki RM-Z450, RM-Z250, RM85 and RMX450Z race bikes are eligible for support under the RM Army umbrella. That support includes over $6 million worth of contin- gency money, trackside techni- cal support, and the chance to ride with one of the greatest rid- ers of all time, Ricky Carmichael, at Camp Carmichael. "JGR is very excited to deepen our partnership with Suzuki and Yoshimura," said team owner Coy Gibbs. "The JGR crew has worked extremely hard to get into position to win championships, and this new effort and structure cements that championship-win- ning philosophy. We now have the right tools to lead the RM Army into battle. We are excited and ready to get the job done on every level." Coy added that veteran team manager Jeremy Albrecht will lead the effort. The team will field two 250-class riders on each coast and two 450-class riders during Monster Energy AMA Su- percross, and two 250-class and two 450-class riders during the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship Series. The rid- ers will be named in the coming weeks. JGR will also develop and market performance parts for Suzuki's line of motocross and off-road products. The Autotrader/Yoshimura/ Suzuki Factory Racing Team will make its debut at the open- ing round of the 2018 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season on January 6, in Anaheim, Cali- fornia. CN JGRMX will now run Suzuki's factory race effort in supercross and national motocross.