MARCH 30–SHAE BENTLEY RETIRES

On Mar 30, 2005

Brooks, Georgiaÿ –ÿ Shae Bentley, the 2000 AMA 125 West Supercross Champion, has announced he is hanging up his boots ending a successful Amateur and Professional career that included several Amateur titles, as well as one Supercross Championship. As Shae put’s it, “I’ve had so many unfortunate injuries over the past few years, and the fact that I still have the speed and ability to come off the couch and make the podium like I did just two short years ago, makes this all that much tougher of a decision. I know in my heart that I have the speed and race wisdom to be up there on the podium, but for some reason my body just can’t physically keep up with my brain anymore. So, I’m going to take my focus and dedication with me into the business world. It’s going to be good, and I’m ready for the transition”.

The transition won’t be too far off from his duties of being a racer, as Shae will be joining The Netwerk, LLC, an athlete management and brand development agency located in Corona, California, as their Racer Representative. He will be working directly with The Netwerk’s current stable of top professional racers that include 2001 AMA 125 National Motocross Champion, Mike Brown; Two-time AMA 125 National Champion, Steve Lamson; 2002, 2003, and 2004 Japanese Motocross Champion, Akira Narita; and Australian sensation and Yamaha/Boost Mobile/Yamaha of Troy team member, Brett Metcalfe. Shae will also be assisting and working with top amateur racers entering the professional arena.

Shae would like to take this time to thank all of his long-time supporters, sponsors, and family members:ÿ ?Mom and Dad, without you two my dreams of becoming a Supercross Champion could never have been realized. I don’t’ know if I’ll ever be able to repay that one; Mitch, Bones, Travis, and all the gang down at ProCircuit. You are the best 125 Team in the World, bar none. I just can’t say enough, other than we’re not done working together yet. In fact, we’re just entering a new phase, and I hope you’re ready!ÿ Kawasaki Motors and Team Green, you stood behind me all through my important Amateur years, and right up to and past my Championship. What an awesome program you’ve created, thanks for the support. Todd “Grape Ape” Dunn. You dirty dog!ÿ You were the one that never left my side. Worked on my bikes during many late hours and sometimes in horrible conditions. We went through the highs and the lows together. Injuries and a Championship, and our Championship memories will never ever be forgotten. They can never take those from us, brother. You are the best Mechanic in the World, and how I got blessed with you only our buddy upstairs knows for sure. Paul and the crew at Motoworld.com, you guys gave me my last chance and believed in me. I’ll never forget what you’ve done for me. Through business and in time, I’ll make it back up to you. Then, there is about twenty other people who have helped me in many other ways throughout my racing career that, without them I couldn’t have done it either, you all know who you are, and I’ll thank each and every one of you individually in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead, as our paths cross. I also want to thank my beautiful wife Kimberly. She’s never given up on me, and always builds me up when I’m down, and just a matter of weeks ago she gave birth to our first child, a perfect little girl, Skyler Reese. These two are my new reason for being. With God’s direction and my new focus of working within the industry, but not on the bike, I couldn’t be any happier. I feel totally refreshed and ready to go. This is going to be good!”ÿ

“Thanks to everyone for all the years of support. I’ll see you at the races”? Shae