Team FMF Makita Suzuki Ready For 2011 GNCC Championship

February 18, 2011, 11:05am

TEAM FMF MAKITA SUZUKI READY TO DOMINATE 2011 GNCC CHAMPIONSHIP

BREA, CA – American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) is proud to announce the FMF Makita Suzuki Off-Road team lineup for the 2011 Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Championship. The FMF Makita Suzuki team welcomes back reigning GNCC XC1 Champion Josh Strang, who will be defending his 2010 title. New to the team is Josh Weisenfels, who will campaign the XC2 class aboard his 2011 Suzuki RM-Z250.

Josh Strang is ready to defend his 2010 GNCC XC1 Championship aboard his FMF Makita Suzuki RM-Z450. Coming off of a stellar 2010 season, which included five victories and eight podiums, Strang is excited to get back into GNCC racing and defend his number one plate.

“The FMF Makita Suzuki team had a great year last year,” said Strang. “We’ve been working really hard in the off-season and my Suzuki RM-Z450 is ready to go. I can’t wait to get back out on the track and defend my number one plate.”

Joining Strang under the Team FMF Makita Suzuki tent will be Josh Weisenfels. Originally from Fort Smith, Arkansas, 25-year-old Weisenfels is excited to make his debut on the factory-supported Suzuki team. Weisenfels will make his run at the GNCC XC2 championship aboard the potent 2011 Suzuki RM-Z250.

“Getting the opportunity to ride for the FMF Makita Suzuki team is a dream come true for me,” said Weisenfels. “I’m very motivated to get out there and put my hard work into action aboard my Suzuki RM-Z250.”

Also new to FMF Makita Suzuki is team manager, Chris Wheeler. Wheeler replaces longtime Suzuki off-road team manager Mike Webb, who made the move last fall to head up Suzuki’s supercross and motocross efforts.

"We are really excited to get the 2011 racing season under way,” said Wheeler. “Both Strang and Weisenfels have been working very hard with FMF Makita Suzuki off-road coach, five-time GNCC champion, Rodney Smith, as well as team coordinator and “Golden Wrench” award winner, Shane Nalley. It’s very hard to bet against that much championship experience! We really look forward to going racing with this lineup in 2011. With Strang holding the number one plate in XC1, and Weisenfels coming into the season more prepared than ever, we are set in our quest to defend our XC1 Championship and add the XC2 Championship.”

FMF Makita Suzuki’s Strang and Weisenfels kick off their quest for the 2011 championship at the GNCC season opener in River Ranch, FL, on March 6 - 8, 2011. For more information, visit www.suzukicycles.com. Follow team updates on SuzukiScoopFans on facebook and SuzukiScoop on twitter.

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 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 FMF Makita Suzuki is grateful for the support of their sponsors: FMF, Makita Industrial Power Tools, Dunlop, Maxima, Renthal, Motion Pro, DP Brakes, Acerbis, ProFilter, Trek, Hinson Clutch Components, RG3, Zip Ty, CTI, IMS, La Piparosa, DID Dirt Star, Works Connection, Pro X, Tokyo Mods, T.M. Designworks, TCR Hubs, Matrix Concepts, CV4, GPR Stabilizers, Posey, N-Style and GoPro.