Dirt Bike News - Suzuki and Makita U.S.A. Create Exciting New Team for the 2005 Supercross/Motocross Season - Dirt Rider Magazine

American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) today announced that Makita U.S.A. will sponsor ASMC's extremely promising 250cc/125cc Supercross/Motocross team for 2005-2006. This unprecedented and exciting Makita Suzuki effort combines newly signed Ricky Carmichael—the winningest Supercross/Motocross rider of all time—with three returning Suzuki riders: the exceptionally talented Sebastien Tortelli, 2004 AMA Rookie of the Year Broc Hepler and up-and-coming star Davi Millsaps."We just can't say enough about how thrilled we are about Team Makita Suzuki," enthused Mel Harris, vice president of ASMC's Motorcycle/ATV Division. "This innovative partnership is unlike anything we've ever done and we're so excited about the 2005 season. We are also thrilled about the addition of Ricky Carmichael to our already strong lineup of riders. Ricky is known for his discipline and strong work ethic, which complements the talent and natural ability of our other riders, the technological superiority of the Suzuki RM, and the extensive experience of Team Manager Roger DeCoster."Added Makita U.S.A. Sr. Vice President of Marketing Ken Hefley: "Makita U.S.A., Inc. is pumped to be a part of this exciting sport and partnering with Team Suzuki, AMA National Champion Ricky Carmichael and the other outstanding Suzuki riders. Motorcycles and power tools are a natural fit and we look forward to supporting the sport with our world-class industrial quality tools."Team Makita Suzuki, 250cc****Ricky Carmichael
The newest rider to the talented Suzuki fold is none other than legendary racer Ricky Carmichael. Considered to be the most talented racer in both AMA Supercross and Motocross, Carmichael will begin his Team Makita Suzuki career at the U.S. Open of Supercross in October aboard a Suzuki RM250. For the 2005 season, Carmichael will race a Suzuki RM250 in AMA Supercross and a Suzuki RM-Z450 in AMA Motocross.Sebastien Tortelli
One of the most versatile racers of all time, former 125 and 250 World Champion Sebastien Tortelli returns to Suzuki after missing most of the 2003 and 2004 racing seasons due to injury. During the latter half of the 2004 AMA Chevrolet Motocross Championship season, however, Tortelli returned with a vengeance on his Suzuki RM250. Despite missing the first four rounds of the 12-round series, Tortelli finished a strong eighth overall and was a regular on the podium. For 2005, Tortelli will race a Suzuki RM-Z450 in both the Supercross and Motocross series.Team Makita Suzuki, 125cc****Broc Hepler
In his first full year as a Pro racer, Broc Hepler became a force to be reckoned with. The quiet, mild-mannered teen scored two podiums in the AMA 125 East Supercross Series and finished second overall. Similarly, Hepler was on the box six times in AMA 125 Motocross and finished second overall. Furthermore, Hepler was named AMA Rookie of the Year for Supercross/Motocross. For '05, Hepler will again race the Suzuki RM-Z250 he was so successful on last season.Davi Millsaps
Like teammate Hepler, Davi Millsaps made his Pro debut in 2004. He was unable to contest the entire '04 AMA 125 East Supercross Series, however, because he wasn't yet 16 at the beginning of the season. Even so, he did finish on the Supercross podium twice. In AMA 125 Motocross, Millsaps again made it to the podium twice and finished eighth overall. Millsaps will also race a Suzuki RM-Z250 in 2005.Cernic Suzuki, 250cc****Travis Pastrana
Arguably one of the most popular riders in the paddock, Travis Pastrana returns to AMA Supercross in 2005 after missing recent seasons due to injury. The enthusiastic racer returns to his roots by racing under the Cernic Suzuki banner, which is where he got his amateur start back in the day. Pastrana will contest AMA Supercross aboard a factory Suzuki RM250.