Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki is Ready For Season Opener
Returning Champ, Ryan Dungey, and new teammate, Brett Metcalfe, are prepared to dominate
BREA, CA (December 31, 2010) – The drop of the gate on the 2011 AMA Supercross Championship season is just a week away and Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey is ready to pick up where he left off in order to defend his 2010 title. The 2011 season will be one to watch, as it includes what many are calling the deepest, most competitive fields in AMA Supercross history, with no less than a half a dozen riders who all have a legitimate chance to top the podium. Ryan and his Yoshimura-equipped 2011 Suzuki RM-Z450 will be joined by new teammate, Brett Metcalfe. Metcalfe came to Suzuki after a strong outdoor season himself, scoring second only to Dungey.
Dungey’s 2010 season was historic, with the 21 year old becoming the first rookie to win both the AMA Supercross Championship and the AMA 450 Motocross Championship in the same season. Combine that with his Supercross Lites and AMA 250 Motocross Championships in 2009 and Dungey has won four consecutive titles on his RM-Zs, not to mention the 2009 and 2010 MX des Nations titles as well. Dungey will take this momentum into 2011 and is looking forward to the challenge.
“2011 should really be a great season; one the fans can really get into,” said Dungey. “I think there are six or seven guys who have won a race and are still able to win on any given night. Our team has had a really good off-season. We sort of just carried the momentum in from last season and just went back to work. The new Suzuki RM-Z450 is pretty much ready to go out of the box, but we've also built a great team around it. Yoshimura, Rockstar and Makita are all back and the atmosphere in the shop is really strong. Mike Webb has been great to work with and Goose is back, so all the pieces seem to be falling into place. We have all done our work and now we will all see what takes place when the gate drops at Anaheim."
Australian Brett Metcalfe is the newest member of the Rockstar Makita Suzuki Team, coming off a season of racing that got him noticed and put him at the top of team manager Mike Webb’s wish list for 2011. Metcalfe has adapted well to the new team and his Suzuki RM-Z450, having spent countless hours on the test and practice tracks preparing for his new challenge.
“I’m really looking forward to A1,” said Metcalfe. “It’s very exciting for me, as it is the first race with the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team and on my new Suzuki RM-Z450. It’s also my first season in the SX class and that adds a bit to the equation, although I’m very comfortable on the bike and whether it’s a 250 or 450, I’m just into racing. I like to race and that’s where I hope to show my strength. The team and sponsors have been great and we’ve all put a lot of effort into testing and training. It will be good to see how that all pays off. It will be a long season, but Anaheim 1 is always a good test.”
Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s new team manager, American Suzuki’s Mike Webb, has been a staple in off-road racing for nearly three decades. As team manager for American Suzuki’s off-road program since 1992, Webb led his team to 22 major off-road championships, including six GNCC Pro Bike Championships. Webb was named team manager for the Rockstar Makita Suzuki SX and MX team in early October of 2010.
“I’m stoked to have the opportunity to manage this championship team,” said Webb. “The potential is so great with two awesome riders like Ryan and Brett and the support of Yoshimura and all of our sponsors. I’m really looking forward to the 2011 season.”
The 2011 Rockstar Makita Suzuki team’s season kicks off Saturday, January 8th, at Angel stadium in Anaheim, CA. You can meet the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team riders at Malcolm Smith Motorsports, 7599 Indiana Avenue, in Riverside, CA from 6 - 7 PM on Friday, January 7th.
About Suzuki: Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) founded The Motorcycle and ATV Division of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC), Brea, CA, in 1963. ASMC markets motorcycles and ATVs via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. ASMC's parent company, Suzuki Motor Corporation, based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of motorcycles, ATVs, scooters, automobiles and marine engines. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, it has 120 distributors in 191 countries. For more information visit www.suzukicycles.com. Follow Suzuki Scoop on facebook for exclusive team content www.facebook.com/suzukiscoopfans.
About Rockstar: ROCKSTAR is the world's most powerful Energy Drink. Enhanced with the potent herbal blend of Guarana, Ginkgo, Ginseng and Milk Thistle, ROCKSTAR is formulated to provide an incredible energy boost for those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles - from athletes to rock stars. ROCKSTAR Energy Drink is available in fourteen amazing flavors. Also check out the new ROCKSTAR Energy Gum. For more information visit www.rockstar69.comAbout Makita: Makita is a worldwide manufacturer of industrial quality power tools and offers a wide range of industrial accessories. Makita applies leading-edge technology and innovation to engineer tools that are more compact with less weight yet deliver industrial strength power and results. Makita innovation includes Makita LXT®, the industry’s first 18V lithium-ion cordless lineup. The Makita Teal color is the trade dress of Makita Corporation and is protected under common law and registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Makita is Best in Class Engineering. For more information visit www.makitatools.com.
Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki is grateful for the support of their sponsors: Rockstar Energy Drink, Makita Industrial Power Tools, Yoshimura R&D, Dunlop, Motorex, Vortex, Pro Taper, ONE Industries, Works Connection, Hinson Clutch Components, Renegade Fuels, Twin Air, Showa, Mechanix Wear, Fox, Matrix, Suzuki Equator, Mass Brothers, D.I.D., Excel, CP Pistons and NGK.
