Suzuki Now Enlisting For The RM ARMY Sign Up For The 2017 MX Amateur Racing Program
From local, grassroots
racing and multiple national and world championships, to capturing
the 2016 AMA 450 Pro Motocross title while dominating the series
for the past decade, racing is at the core of Suzuki.
It is the thread that sews together Suzuki's heritage, the driving
force that pushes product innovation, and the reason why countless
motocross legends have chosen to swing their leg over an
RM.
As Suzuki continues to define racing, we are excited to announce
the formation of the next generation of Suzuki racers. Those who
will battle at their local race tracks, who will fight for national
titles, and who, together, will carry the winning RM legacy into
the future. Introducing the RM ARMY. Armed with
the best handling machines in the industry and equipped with the
support essential to develop champions, the RM ARMY is the future
of Suzuki motocross.
"The RM ARMY is a state of mind, a unifying force, and the umbrella
under which our supercross and motocross racing programs will
reside," said Chris Wheeler, Motocross Racing Manager at Suzuki.
"The RM ARMY was developed to create a sense of community for
Suzuki racers. Connecting riders from around the country and
projecting a larger Suzuki racing front is the goal. So whether
you're a weekend warrior, a rider on our RCH/Yoshimura/Suzuki
Factory Racing team, or anywhere else in between, if you race
Suzuki, you are part of the RM ARMY."
"I can't wait to wear the RM ARMY badge," said Richard Taylor,
Suzuki ECSTAR Factory Elite Amateur Racing team rider. "Suzuki has
really stepped up their game this year and I am so pumped to be a
part of the launch of the RM ARMY."
RM ARMY amateur racers can take advantage of the various benefits
offered by the Suzuki Amateur Racing Support program, which
includes Contingency, Trackside Support, and Suzuki Camp
Carmichael. Program details are outlined below, along with exciting
information on Suzuki's 2017 amateur racing teams.
CONTINGENCY
RM ARMY racers can take
advantage of over $6 Million in available
contingency for motocross, supercross, and off-road racing in 2017.
The Suzuki contingency program was enhanced over the previous year
to include more events and larger payouts, while also offering
double contingency at key events such as RC Daytona SX and the
final round of Amsoil Arenacross. Join the RM ARMY and let Suzuki
support you in your race to the top of the podium. Getting started
is as simple as this:
- Own an eligible Suzuki model
- Complete the online registration process at racesuzuki.com
- Race a specified event on the
Suzuki Contingency Payout Schedule
- Place in a paying position
- Receive your rewards on your Suzuki Awards Card
- Redeem your rewards at any authorized U.S. Suzuki
dealership
TRACKSIDE SUPPORT
Suzuki Trackside Support will also be on hand at key amateur racing
events to support RM ARMY racers. Trackside Support carries a
supply of parts available for riders in need at a discounted price,
along with a qualified Suzuki technician to help answer technical
questions. Suzuki will also have parts support available at each
round of the Amsoil Arenacross Series. RM ARMY racers in need of
parts can purchase them at the Suzuki Canopy next to the Babbitt's
pit area. Visit racesuzuki.com
for the complete Trackside Support schedule.
SUZUKI CAMP CARMICHAEL
Suzuki RM ARMY racers are also provided the exclusive opportunity
to attend Suzuki Camp Carmichael. This unique program allows Suzuki
amateur racers to compete for the chance to train with 15-time
MX/SX Champion, Ricky Carmichael, at his private training facility
in Cairo, GA - The GOAT Farm. Attending Camp Carmichael is
once-in-a life-time, all-expenses-paid opportunity only available
to members of the RM ARMY. Details regarding Suzuki Camp Carmichael
2017, including how to qualify, will be announced on
racesuzuki.com. In the meantime, check out the video to see how
much fun we had at Suzuki Camp Carmichael 2016! Watch on YouTube
here:
https://youtu.be/G3rQVmwLgFM
SUZUKI ECSTAR FACTORY ELITE AMATEUR
RACING
The 2017 RM ARMY charge will be led by the Suzuki ECSTAR Factory
Elite Amateur Racing team. Suzuki's all-new Oil and Chemical brand,
ECSTAR, will serve as an essential element in the growth of the
Factory Elite Amateur program, and we are pleased to have their
title support in 2017. The team is excited to announce the signing
of Casey Cochran, Nikko Capps, and Crockett Myers to pilot the
RM85, as well as TJ Rios, who will ride the RM-Z250, and Richard
Taylor, who will ride both the
RM-Z250 and the reigning AMA 450 Pro Motocross Champion, the
RM-Z450.
"We are thrilled to bring
this talented group of riders back to our program for 2017," said
Wheeler. "Each rider showed a ton of potential last year and we are
excited to continue growing together." The team is proud to
represent the following sponsors who support the Factory Elite
program: ECSTAR, Mechanix Wear, ODI, Cometic Gasket, Hinson, ProX,
Matrix, MXtire.com, N-Style, Acerbis, Wiseco, VP Racing Fuels, and
Dunlop.
SUZUKI REGIONAL ELITE AMATEUR RACING
Suzuki is also excited to announce the addition of the Suzuki
Regional Elite Amateur Racing team with support from Suzuki
dealers. "The addition of this program for 2017 is really
exciting," added Wheeler. "We received a great deal of sponsorship
interest at the end of last year, and with the help of multiple
racing-focused Suzuki dealers, we are pleased to announce the
addition of five deserving riders to this new program." Racing the
RM85 for the Suzuki Amateur Regional Elite program is Preston
Masciangelo, Dakota Aldredge, Slade Varola, and Caden Braswell.
Brandon Yates will pilot the RM-Z250 and RM-Z450.
CHAPARRAL SUZUKI ELITE
AMATEUR RACING / BARX MOTORSPORTS
The RM ARMY front will be further strengthened with the launch of
the Chaparral Suzuki Elite Amateur Racing / BarX Motorsports team.
The west-coast based Suzuki support team led by Team Manager, Larry
Brooks, will field three riders in 2017. With additional support
from Suzuki racing-focused dealer, Chaparral Motorsports, Cole
Barbieri and Brock Papi will race the RM-Z250 and the RM-Z450,
while Brock Bennett will pilot the RM85.
"I'm privileged to be part of such a first class race effort," said
Brooks. "The Amateur field is so competitive these days, and to be
able to share my experience with these three fast racers is
extremely rewarding. I feel that I can help them achieve their
racing goals and this is what makes this venture very exciting to
me."
Chaparral Motorsports is an authorized Suzuki dealer.
