Press Release –
Team Suzuki /Yoshimura announced today that it will defend its WPSA title with two new program partners in 2007- MSR and Pro Taper.
Team MSR/Pro Taper/Suzuki/Yoshimura will make its debut at a warm up round in Pell City, Alabama on March 11th.
The team will consist of returning WPSA Champion Doug Gust and runner-up Dustin Wimmer. Pat Alexander will be Team Manager and Jeremiah Jones will be returning to the team this year as Team Coordinator.
MSR and Pro Taper are divisions of Tucker Rocky Distributing – a leader in the wholesale distribution of aftermarket parts, accessories and apparel for the powersports industry. These two leading national brands have a strong lineage of winning and performance, the teaming up was a natural.
“We are really excited to be involved with one of the leading aftermarket distribution companies in the country,” Rod Lopusnak, Operations Manager at American Suzuki ATV Division said. “And we are no strangers. Suzuki Supercross Lites rider Ryan Dungee has a great relationship with MSR as well as Ricky Carmichael with Pro Taper. Suzuki has a long standing and good relationship with these two fine companies. It’s nice to transfer this existing success into our ATV efforts. ”
Yoshimura expanded on this sentiment, “Yoshimura is proud to have Pro Taper and MSR on board as program partners in this ATV racing effort,” said Brant Russell of Yoshimura R&D of America. “Suzuki has always been first in ATV. Pro Taper, MSR, and Yoshimura all share the same mindset. We are all here to win and to provide the enthusiast with the finest ATV products and services possible. Following Suzuki’s lead- we all support the sport.”
Steve Johnson, COO of Tucker Rocky, Inc. and distributor of Pro Taper & MSR, recognized the tremendous level of activity and participation in the sport ATV segment.
He saw the grassroots excitement first hand at the Oak Hill GNC race last summer. Since he and his family are long time ATV enthusiasts, jumping into this arena was an easy step.
According to Johnson, “In spending time with Suzuki to discuss their racing goals, we discovered that we shared the same basic business philosophies, making it easy to create a dynamic partnership. There is a natural tie-in to the Suzuki/Yoshimura race efforts with MSR, Pro Taper and other great brands Tucker Rocky represents.”
“MSR heritage goes back to the legendary Malcolm Smith, who remains active in testing and influencing product development. Pro Taper’s reputation for strength, reliability, and performance in their components has attracted the industry’s top riders like Ricky Carmichael. It is natural to extend this product line into ATV racing.”
Look for Team MSR/Pro Taper/Suzuki/Yoshimura to tear it up at WPSA tracks across America this season. While you are looking, notice the sign on the back of the Suzuki ATV 18 wheeler, “We Support The Sport”.
