Contact: Rod Lopusnak - American Suzuki Motor Corp.
Phone: (714) 996-7040, ext. 2311

Suzuki Announces ATV Race Team
Ready to Defend the ATVA MX Championship

BREA, Calif. (Jan. 28, 2005) - American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) announces the 2005 ATV race team that will defend its 2004 ATVA MX Pro Championship. The Team Suzuki/Yoshimura ATV race team is expanded and is ready for the season opener Feb. 6 at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, Calif.

Team Suzuki/Yoshimura ATV is lead by Doug Gust, the veteran ATV racer from Salem, Wis., who won the 2004 ATVA MX Pro-class Championship. Gust began his pro ATV racing career in the 1980s, racing against top talent like Gary Denton. The 38-year old champ was the first to win a National-level ATV race on a four-stroke. And when the Pro Production class was created for the 2003 season, Gust earned the inaugural championship. His domination of the Pro class in 2004 - highlighted by eight overall victories including a six-straight victory run - proved that he and Team Suzuki/Yoshimura are serious about ATV racing.

"When we created Team Suzuki/Yoshimura ATV Racing for the 2004 season we knew we needed the top talent," said Rod Lopusnak, Marketing Manager for American Suzuki. "With consecutive Pro championships, Gust has proven his ability and the capabilities of the Suzuki QuadSport LT-Z400. For 2005, we're thrilled to announce an expanded race team with the addition of Jeremiah Jones on a Suzuki in the Pro ranks."

Jeremiah Jones was one of Gust's toughest competitors last season, finishing fourth overall for the series. The 26-year-old racer from Bowling Green, Ky., will be much more of a threat in the Pro class this year aboard his Yoshimura-prepped Suzuki QuadSport. Since entering the Pro class five years ago, Jones has been among the Pro-class elite in GNC racing.

Also joining Team Suzuki/Yoshimura for the 2005 race season is Jeremy Lawson. The 20-year-old racer from Battleton, Ky., raced two classes throughout the 2004 season, earning first place in the 265A class, and second place in 265 Pro Am class. Lawson will focus his efforts on the Pro-Am Production class for 2005, riding a Suzuki QuadSport.

Along with new riders, Team Suzuki/Yoshimura will sport new team colors for 2005. The team has replaced the yellow plastic and will be racing white-and-blue QuadSport LT-Z machines.

Team Suzuki/Yoshimura staff

• Wayne Hinson will again be the Team Manager for Team Suzuki/Yoshimura ATV Racing. Hinson is well known in the motorsports racing industry for his leadership of the Hinson Clutch Components company.
• Edward Clark Jones will serve as Team Suspension Manager. His work with this team during the 2004 season was instrumental in Doug Gust's success.
• Paul Turner is new to the team acting as Gust's mechanic. Turner has years of experience turning wrenches for top-level pro ATV racers. Jones' mechanic will be Ryan Christopher Cox. John Lawson will be behind the wheel of the new Team Suzuki/Yoshimura semi for the 2005 season.

Team Suzuki/Yoshimura sponsors

Team Suzuki/Yoshimura ATV Race team receives support from many outstanding companies. The primary sponsors include Genuine Suzuki Accessories, Elka Suspension, Motul, BMC, ITP, Tag Metals, Streamline, and Fly Racing. Supporting sponsors include Noleen, Hinson Clutch Components, IMS, Denton Racing, Regina, Douglas Wheel, Sprocket Specialties, NGK, VP Fuels, Walsh Racecraft, Maier, and Grand Prix Apparel. Jeremiah Jones receives additional support from DG.

Genuine Suzuki Accessories is thrilled to support the winning efforts of the Team Suzuki/Yoshimura ATV Race team. Gust's race machine will be fitted with Team Suzuki/Yoshimura Nerf Bars and Front Bumper. Like all Genuine Suzuki Accessories, these are designed to meet Suzuki's rigid original-equipment testing standards. The full-line of QuadSport accessories is available at Suzuki Dealers nationwide.