April 2, 2004

BREA, Calif. (April 2, 2004) – American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) today announced that all-time Supercross/Motocross combined champion Ricky Carmichael signed a multi-year agreement to join Team Suzuki beginning with the 2005 AMA Supercross season.

" We’re absolutely thrilled that Ricky Carmichael will be a part of Team Suzuki in the future," said Mel Harris, ASMC’s Vice President of the Motorcycle/ATV Division. "Hiring Ricky demonstrates Suzuki’s commitment to putting our SX/MX team back on the racing map."

" This is a very exciting time for me. The agreement is multi-faceted and Suzuki will be extremely supportive of me from a racing, marketing and business standpoint," said Carmichael.

With 10 AMA championships, including the past seven consecutive national titles under his belt, the 24-year-old Floridian is excited about joining Team Suzuki and about racing the Suzuki RM250. He is confident not only in his own ability to win more championships, but also in working with a team as committed as Suzuki. He’s also looking forward to working with MX legend Roger DeCoster.

Suzuki Team Manager DeCoster is also excited about the prospects of working with the much-celebrated champion. "I am elated," he said. "Ricky is such a talented rider with tremendous work ethic which will be a great example for Team Suzuki’s young riders. I realize it won’t be easy for him to come back and win after being off due to injury, but I have confidence in Ricky and in how much effort I know that he’s going to put into winning."

The agreement will become effective November 1, 2004.

CLICK HERE FOR AN OPEN LETTER TO THE FANS FROM RICKY CARMICAHEL