Roger Lee Hayden to Ride For Michael Jordan Motorsports in 2011

CHICAGO, IL – November 18, 2010 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Michael Jordan Motorsports (MJM) is pleased to announce the signing of Roger Lee Hayden.  Hayden will join new MJM rider Ben Bostrom as the team competes for the 2011 AMA Pro Racing National Guard Superbike championship.

Hayden, the youngest member of the famed Hayden racing dynasty, won the 2007 AMA Supersport Championship and returns to U.S. racing after a season on the World Superbike circuit and a Moto 2 wildcard entry at Indianapolis in 2010.

The 26-year-old Hayden boasts 14 career wins since 2004 and has visited the podium no fewer than 38 times in his professional career. He brings with him a renewed hunger to achieve and a desire to prove that he has what it takes to be a race winner.

“Signing Roger Lee bolsters our 2011 championship campaign,” said Kreig Robinson, MJM’s Vice President of Corporate Relations. “We’re excited to get him testing on our equipment as soon as possible. We know that Roger Lee is going to bring the intensity and our crew is ready to unleash his potential.”

“I’m so excited to be a part of Team Jordan! These guys have a great crew and I’m excited to get on the bike as soon as possible. I’m ready to show what I’m made of… It’s also good to be home, there’s no place like home,” said Hayden.

Hayden is a native of Owensboro, Kentucky.

MJM is continuing to monitor the recovery of Aaron Yates, who has decided to take the necessary time to allow his injured right leg to heal.  After successful bone graft surgery in September, Yates is progressing better than expected, according to his doctors.

ABOUT MICHAEL JORDAN MOTORSPORTS:

Legendary NBA star Michael Jordan formed Michael Jordan Motorsports in 2004 as a result of his passion for motorcycle racing.  His mission is to bring a new level of excellence and style to the motorcycle racing industry.

For more information on MJM, please visit www.23race.com, www.twitter.com/23race and http://www.facebook.com/23race.

Michael Jordan Motorsports is proud to partner with: Jordan Brand (a division of Nike), National Guard, American Suzuki, Upper Deck, Hanes, Gatorade, Bazzaz, MMI – Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, Vortex Racing Components, Gemini Racing, K-Tech Suspension-Orient Express Racing, Maxima Racing Oils, K & N Air Filters, Dainese Leathers, AGV Helmets, Ancra Tie-downs, Chicken Hawk Racing Tire Warmers, Armour Bodies, DID Chains, Factory Pro Dyno, Roclun International, STAR Motorcycle School, Motion Pro Tools, Zero Gravity Windscreens, with transportation provided by Eastside Trucking.

SOURCE: Michael Jordan Motorsports

####

Rockstar Makita Suzuki Amateur Rider Austin Howell Making His 2010 AMA Pro Motocross Debut

• Suzuki’s Austin Howell will make his 2010 AMA Pro Motocross debut this weekend at Unadilla.
• Howell is coming off his second-place finish in the 450 A class at the 2010 AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships at Loretta Lynn’s and won the 450 Mod Pro title at the World Minis this year.
• Howell will make his debut aboard the Rockstar Energy Suzuki RM-Z450 on Thursday at Media Day prior to the Unadilla National.

BREA, CA – August 12, 2010 – (Motor Sports Newswire ) – Austin Howell, the 18 year old amateur motocrosser from Red Bluff, Calif., is set to make his AMA Pro Motocross debut on Saturday at the legendary Unadilla National in New Berlin, New York. Howell has just completed a successful amateur season aboard his Rockstar Makita Suzuki RM-Z450, finishing second in the 450 A class at Loretta’s this past week. Now Howell is set to make his Pro debut on the Rockstar Energy Suzuki RM-Z450 under the guidance of both Brian Noah, Suzuki’s Amateur Motocross Support Specialist, and Bill Keefe, Team Manager for Rockstar Energy Suzuki.

Howell planned ahead, getting his pro license this year in hopes that he would be racing the remaining AMA Motocross races after finishing up the Amateur season at Loretta’s. He’s also planning on making his AMA Supercross debut in 2011, making a smooth transition from his Suzuki amateur career to the pro ranks. “It’s been a tough year for the Rockstar Energy Suzuki team due to injuries and they had a great opportunity to fill a spot with Austin,” Noah said. “Austin has showed he is capable all year long and has worked hard to make this transition, and I am glad we have a spot for him on a Suzuki. He will be among the first of many in the coming years to successfully move from our Suzuki amateur team to the Suzuki supported Rockstar Energy pro team and I can not be more happy for him.”

Howell will fill out the roster of the Rockstar Energy Suzuki team that has fluctuated this year due to illness and injury. Team Manager Bill Keefe is excited to give Austin a ride in the pro ranks. “Rockstar Energy Suzuki is fortunate that Suzuki’s championship-winning amateur program has such a large group of talented riders to draw from,” Keefe said. “We are excited to provide Austin a ride aboard our Rockstar Energy Suzuki RM-Z450 for Unadilla.”

Austin will be at Media Day on Thursday, which features the Rockstar Energy Suzuki team. He’s excited and anxious to get out on the track and see where he stands in the highly competitive 450 class. No stranger to battling hard and winning races, Austin took home the 450 Mod Pro title at the 2010 World Mini Grand Prix. “I am excited for this opportunity and I am going to do the best I possibly can. I have been working hard all year long and I know I am ready. Hopefully the next couple races go well for me so that I can show Bill and the rest of the team what I am capable of” stated Austin Howell. “I would also like to thank all my amateur sponsors who have all supported me to ultimately get to this level. They are Rockstar, Makita, Suzuki, Fox Racing, Boyesen, Braking, Cometic Gaskets, CTI2, Dunlop, Excel rims, E-Z Up, Hinson Racing, Hotcams, Lightspeed, Matrix Products, Maxima Lubricants, Millennium Technologies, Motion Pro, Moto Tassinari, One Industries, Pivot Works, Pole Position Raceway, Pro Circuit, RK Racing Chain, Sunline Components, TagMetals , TCR Wheel Lacing, Team Associated, Thor, Twin Air, Vortex Ignitions, Vortex Racing Components, VP Race Fuels, and Wiseco.”

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: Original, Sugar Free, Zero Carb, Juiced Mango, Juiced Guava, Juiced Pomegranate, Tropical Punched, Punched Citrus, Energy Cola, Recovery Lemonade, Roasted Mocha, Roasted Latte, Roasted Light Vanilla, and Roasted Espresso. ROCKSTAR ENERGY SHOTS are available in Wild Berry and Tropical Punch flavors, and coming in 2010 – ROCKSTAR ENERGY GUM.

About Suzuki: The Motorcycle/ATV Division of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC), Brea, Calif., was founded in 1963 by Suzuki Motor Corporation. ASMC markets motorcycles and ATVs via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. ASMC’s parent company, Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), 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. www.suzukicycles.com

About CANIDAE: CANIDAE Pet Foods was founded out of love for pets, the importance of family, and the belief in having fun and enjoying life and CANIDAE is excited to be able to share with the passionate fans of Supercross and Motocross racing our philosophy of “Responsible Pet Ownership” through proper nutrition and care featured at www.canidae.com and on our racing site at www.canidaeracing.com.

SOURCE: American Suzuki Motor Corporation

####

Suzuki Announces Rockstar Makita Suzuki Amateur Team

BREA, CA – December 18, 2009 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – American Suzuki announced the Rockstar Makita Suzuki Amateur Team plans for the 2010 season. Led by Motocross Support Specialist Brian Noah, the 2010 amateur MX team will consist of 16 racers ranging in ages 10 to 17 and will focus on grooming this young talent for success. The racers will be competing on Suzuki’s lineup of championship-winning bikes, including the RM85, the all-new RM-Z250, and race-proven RM-Z450.

“This year will be an exciting year for Suzuki and our sponsors. Beginning at the Mini O’s in November, Suzuki destroyed the competition gaining more championships than any other manufacturer in the most competitive classes, which included the 85 age group, Supermini, 250/450A, 250/450B, and Schoolboy classes,” stated Brian Noah. “There is no doubt in my mind that this solid group of riders will be capable of doing more of the same in 2010.”

The Rockstar Makita Suzuki riders slated to compete on the RM85 in the 85 9-11 class are Sean Cantrell from Newbury Park, Calif., Jake Masterpool from Austin, Nevada, Tristan Miller from Alpine, Calif., Michael Mosiman from Sebastapol, Calif., and Rookie White from Winchester, Calif.

Also competing on the RM85 in the 85 12-13 class will be Alexander Frye of Huntingtown, Maryland, Steven Gretchen of McMechen, West Virginia, and Jordon Smith of Belmont, North Carolina. Competing in the 85 14-15 and Supermini classes will be Jesse Masterpool of Austin, Nevada, and Jace Owen of Charleston, Illinois.

Aboard the all-new Suzuki RM-Z250, Joey Savatgy, from Thomasville, Georgia, and Jeremy Martin, from Millville, Minn., will compete in the 250B and Schoolboy classes. Bryce Stewart from Canyon Lake, Calif., will be competing on the RM-Z250 and RM-Z450 in the 250B and 450B classes.

In the 250A and 450A classes, Gannon Audette, from Cairo, Georgia, Austin Howell, from Red Bluff, Calif., and Nick Paluzzi of Riverside, Calif., will all be utilizing the RM-Z250 and RM-Z450 motorcycles in 2010.

The Rockstar Makita Suzuki Amateur Team would like to thank the following sponsors for providing support to the team in 2010:

Boyesen, Braking, Cometic, CTI2, Dunlop, Excel, E-Z Up, Hinson Racing, Hotcams, Lightspeed, Makita, Matrix, Maxima, Millenium Technologies, Motion Pro, Moto Tassinari, One Industries, Pivot Works, Pole Position Raceway, RK, Rockstar Energy Drink, Sunline, Tag Metals, TCR Wheel Lacing, Thor, Twin Air, Vortex Ignitions, Vortex Racing Components, VP Race Fuels, and Wiseco.

####