Team FMF Makita Suzuki Press Release
ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OH (October 10, 2011) – FMF Makita Suzuki’s Josh Strang bounced back from a spectacular crash in the Powerline GNCC in St. Clairsville, OH, and rallied with a solid fifth-place finish. Strang put in a heroic ride on his FMF Makita Suzuki RM-Z450 in the latest round of the Grand National Cross Country Series on Sunday, and remains in the runner-up position in the overall points chase.
The start of the race saw Strang get an impressive launch on his FMF Makita Suzuki, and he was in third place as the frontrunners entered the woods for the first time. Just a few miles into the three-hour event, however, the course cut through one of Powerline Park’s notorious mud holes and Strang chose a line that unfortunately directed him into a tree and off a frighteningly steep ledge.
“I got a good start on the FMF Makita Suzuki RM-Z450 and was up there with the leaders,” said Strang. “But when we came to the mud hole, there were two different lines and I took one and just clipped a tree and went off line and ended up going off a five-foot embankment.”
Strang lost valuable time getting back into the race, but he managed to settle into a pace that eventually carried him up into a three-way battle for third. Unfortunately, another mud hole took its toll and Strang wound up in fifth at the race’s end.
“It was just a disappointing day,” admitted Strang. “But these things happen in racing. At this point, I just want to have a clean race and get a win on the FMF Makita Suzuki RM-Z450 – I just want to get back down to business and start winning again.”
With three races remaining on the schedule, defending series champion Strang still has a legitimate shot at the title. Thirty points are up for grabs at the next race, and Strang is determined that those points will be his.
“The Ironman is a good race,” said Strang about the next event. “I like that track and it suits the FMF Makita Suzuki RM-Z450, so I usually do well there. I’m looking forward to it and hopefully getting the win.”
The 2011 FMF Makita Suzuki team’s next event is Sunday, October 23rd, in Crawfordsville, IN, for the Ironman GNCC. Follow team updates on SuzukiScoopFans on facebook and SuzukiScoop on twitter.
Powerline GNCC XC1 Class Results:
1. Kailub Russell
2. Charles Mullins
3. Thaddeus Duvall
4. Paul Whibley
5. Josh Strang
6. Jimmy Jarrett
7. Mike Lafferty
8. Nathan Kanney
9. Jesse Robinson
10. Scott Watkins
2011 GNCC XC-1 Class Standings:
1. Charles Mullins – 245
2. Josh Strang – 219
3. Paul Whibley – 213
4. Kailub Russell- 180
5. Nathan Kanney- 160
6. Cory Buttrick – 120
7. Mike Lafferty – 105
8. Jimmy Jarrett – 98
9. Thaddeus Duvall – 96
10. Christopher Bach – 96
About Suzuki: Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) founded The Motorcycle and ATV Division of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC), Brea, CA, in 1963. ASMC markets motorcycles and ATVs via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. ASMC’s parent company, Suzuki Motor Corporation, 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. For more information, visit www.suzukicycles.com. Follow Suzuki Scoop on facebook for exclusive team content www.facebook.com/suzukiscoopfans.
About FMF: Owner and founder Don Emler started FMF Racing in 1973. Don’s vision was to provide the top level US racing equipment at the grass roots level. FMF was formed in Don’s garage and is now located in Rancho Dominguez in a 90,000 sq ft state of the art manufacturing facility. FMF’s goal is simple; design and manufacture the world’s best performance exhaust 100% in the USA under one roof. For more information visit http://www.fmfracing.com.
About Makita: Makita is a worldwide manufacturer of industrial quality power tools and offers a wide range of industrial accessories. Makita applies leading-edge technology and innovation to engineer tools that are more compact with less weight yet deliver industrial strength power and results. Makita innovation includes Makita LXT(r), the industry’s first 18V lithium-ion cordless lineup. The Makita Teal color is the trade dress of Makita Corporation and is protected under common law and registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Makita is Best in Class Engineering. For more information visit www.makitatools.com.
Team FMF Makita Suzuki is grateful for the support of their sponsors: FMF, Makita Industrial Power Tools, Dunlop, Maxima, Renthal, Motion Pro, DP Brakes, Acerbis, ProFilter, Trek, Hinson Clutch Components, RG3, Zip Ty, CTI, IMS, La Piparosa, DID Dirt Star, Works Connection, Pro X, Tokyo Mods, T.M. Designworks, TCR Hubs, Matrix Concepts, CV4, GPR Stabilizers, Posey, N-Style and GoPro.
