Suzuki’s support is even more fitting because Wes Cooley, 2016 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Grand Marshal, rode a Suzuki GS1000 to his first AMA Superbike Championship in 1979. In 1980, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer successfully defended that title for Suzuki in one of the most thrilling AMA Superbike seasons ever.
“Not only did Wes Cooley win in exciting fashion, but he was a pioneer in a racing style that captivated fans and, at the same time time, helped AMA Superbike become the premier discipline in motorcycle road racing,” said AMA Chief Operations Officer Jeff Massey. “And you can’t discuss Wes Cooley and his contributions without bringing up the role of Suzuki and the GS1000. It’s only fitting that Suzuki Motor of America Inc. is supporting the Celebrating 40 Years of AMA Superbikes display at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days.”
In addition to Cooley’s 1980 championship bike, the Yoshimura Suzuki GS1000 owned by collector Brian O’Shea, and the bike he rode in the 1982 campaign, the Yoshimura Suzuki Katana owned by collector Ken Edgar, the display will include signage honoring Cooley’s career as well as other key moments in AMA Superbike history.
“We are glad to support AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days and have the chance to continue telling great stories like that of Wes Cooley and the Suzuki GS1000,” said Kerry Graeber, Vice President, Motorcycle/ATV Sales and Marketing for Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. “Many fans think sportbike history began with the GSX-R750 in 1985. There’s no doubt that ground-breaking model forever changed the landscape of motorcycle performance, but the GS inline fours raced by Wes in the late ’70s and early ’80s were the catalyst for the sportbike revolution that followed.”
The display will be paired with additional information about modern Suzuki sportbikes, including the GSX-R1000, GSX-R750 and GSX-R600.
For more information: www.amavintagemotorcycledays.com
