RICKY TO RACE “SELECTED SEASON” FOR TEAM SUZUKI NEXT YEAR; BUT NOT THE WHOLE SEASON

ÿÿÿÿÿTeam Makita Suzuki Racing announced today that 13-time AMA Supercross/Motocross Champion Ricky Carmichael has re-signed with the team for three more years. The reigning AMA Supercross, AMA Motocross and World Supercross GP Champion will defend his AMA Motocross title in 2006 and race select Supercross events in 2007. After that, Carmichael will continue to race select events and focus on mentoring Makita Suzuki’s up-and-coming riders and developing the multichampionship-winning RM and RM-Z lines.

ÿÿÿÿÿ”I’m really excited about continuing my relationship with Makita Suzuki,” said Carmichael. “I’ve enjoyed these last two years with the team and we’ve accomplished a lot together — from Supercross and Motocross championships to winning the 2005 Motocross des Nations. Working with Team Manager Roger DeCoster has been amazing and Suzuki has treated me like family. I can’t say enough about the support that I’ve received from the Makita Suzuki crew. Now that I’m moving toward the end of my racing career, I look forward to doing the races that I enjoy most. At the same time, I’m excited about helping Makita Suzuki’s young racers with bike testing and development.”

ÿÿÿÿCarmichael signed with Makita Suzuki at the beginning of the 2005 Supercross season and that year won the World Supercross GP Championship, the AMA Supercross Championship, the AMA Motocross Championship, the U.S. Open of Supercross and led Team U.S.A. to victory at the Motocross des Nations. Overall, Carmichael has four AMA Supercross titles and nine AMA Motocross titles for a total of 13 championships, more combined AMA Supercross/Motocross championships than anyone. Additionally, he is the only rider in history to have been named AMA Pro Racing Speed Channel Athlete of the Year four times.

ÿÿÿÿ”We’re thrilled about extending our contract with a rider of Ricky Carmichael’s caliber,” said Mel Harris, American Suzuki’s vice president of the motorcycle/ATV division. “There’s no one in the paddock like Ricky. With his disciplined work ethic and his extensive championship-winning experience, Ricky is an enormous asset to Suzuki as we plan for the future. We’ve enjoyed having Ricky as part of the Suzuki family and look forward to continuing this relationship.”