In 1978, Suzuki and Yoshimura formed a formal partnership making the Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing squad the official factory entry in AMA Pro Road Racing. It proved to be an incredibly fruitful alliance. In 40 years of racing, Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing has become the most successful team ever in MotoAmerica AMA Superbike.
“Motorcycle racing is a forward-looking sport, but it’s nice to stop for a moment and reflect on the major accomplishments Suzuki and Yoshimura have achieved over the years,” said Kerry Graeber, Suzuki’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “It’s wonderful to look back and realize how many great riders have ridden under the Yoshimura Suzuki banner. From Wes Cooley, to Kevin Schwantz, Doug Polen, Jamie James, Scott Russell, Mat Mladin, Ben Spies, Toni Elias, Roger Hayden, and so many more. The team has built an amazing legacy and we want to honor that relationship that began 40 years ago.”
Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing boasts 14 MotoAmerica AMA Superbike Championships and a total of 189 wins. That helped give Suzuki both the all-time record for MotoAmerica AMA Superbike Championships and series wins by a manufacturer.
Marking the 40th anniversary of Yoshimura and Suzuki, the team will showcase a bold, all new race bike livery and there will be a series of commemorations during the 2018 MotoAmerica Championship season.
“We are fortunate to have such a great partnership with Suzuki,” said Yoshimura’s Don Sakakura, President of Yoshimura Racing. “Dating back to the days of the GS750 and GS1000 and through to today’s legendary GSX-R line of sportbikes, Suzuki has always provided us top-notch motorcycles to take to the race track.”
The team is preparing its title defense and the 40th Anniversary of Yoshimura Suzuki. The season opens at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia, on April 13-15.
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