Press Release

First Look at Team Rockstar/WBR/Suzuki – Looking Good!

Chino, CA – November 9, 2006 – Team Rockstar/WBR/Suzuki unveiled their new team roster today at the Yoshimura R&D facility in Chino, CA. The new team will be made up of four veteran riders:  Troy Adams, Kelly Smith, and Andrew McFarlane in the Supercross/Motocross Lites division; Michael Byrne will compete in the 450 Supercross class then switch to the Lites division for Motocross.

This will be the fifth year for Team WBR and each year they moved up the ranks as they paid their dues. However, 2006 was fraught with injuries that unfortunately held back the talented young team. Although it was a disappointing year, the team had been well managed, had good resources and most of all a lot of heart. These qualities caught the eye of the premiere energy drink company - Rockstar - as well as Suzuki. With the advent of the Rockstar sponsorship, Suzuki decided to increase their involvement with WBR for the 2007 season by promoting them to a Factory Lites effort.

Mike Kelso, Director of Marketing at Rockstar, is anticipating a great year ahead with the newly formed team. “I want to thank all of our partners who have come together to make Team Rockstar/WBR/Suzuki a reality,” Kelso commented.  “I’m really looking forward to working with Brad and like he always says ‘Let’s go race!’”

Team Owner Brad Williams is really looking forward to the new four-man team: “I am just amazed with what has come together. It’s a huge effort from everyone involved. Rockstar Energy Drink, American Suzuki and Yoshimura R&D have really brought some incredible firepower to our team and I couldn’t be happier. We will definitely have what it takes to win in ‘07. I can’t wait for January 6th. It’s going to be good.”

Yoshimura’s Brant Russell is equally excited about the team’s chances. “This 2007 Rockstar/WBR/Suzuki team that Brad has put together should be very competitive. The new Suzuki RM-Z250 is an incredible bike, and with the backing provided by the fine people at Rockstar, some wins will be in order. The rider line-up is very stout, and all the pieces are in place to win.”

The rider line-up is indeed impressive:

Troy Adams, #34 from Homosassa, FL, is a returning WBR veteran, having raced with them in their inaugural year. In 2005 Adams finished 6th overall in the Eastern Supercross Series, however Adams had an injury derail his 2006 SX year. He was able to race in the Nationals pulling some podium finishes ending up 10th in the series.

Kelly Smith, #47 is a veteran racer from Ludington, MI. He is coming out of a 6th place spot in the ESX Lites Division. He is best known for his 2003 US Open win and is famous for snagging the holeshot at Supercross events. He came in 18th overall in MX with two podium finishes.  

Andrew “Sharky” McFarlane #30 is an Australian who now resides in Menifee, CA. He had placed 2nd in the 2005 MX2 World Championship before moving up from Down Under. In 2006, McFarlane had two podium finishes, six Top Fives and ended up seventh overall in Motocross Lites even with missing two events.

Michael Byrne, #26 is also originally from Australia and resides in Newnan, GA. The highlight of his 2006 year was a third place podium at Daytona which helped him with a 6th overall in the 450 class. In 2006 Byrne finished in the Top 10 at every event he competed in. Michael raced in the 125 class for the outdoor Nationals finishing 13th overall.

Tony Sulek will be returning to the team as the Rockstar/WBR/Suzuki Team Manager and Scott Budzynski has been promoted to the team Crew Chief. The team mechanics will be James Coy (Andrew McFarlane), Jason Sides (Kelly Smith), Jason Thomas (Michael Byrne), and Marcus Shay (Troy Adams). Brendan McConnachie has signed on as the team's Support Tech. Multi-time Arenacross Champion, Buddy Antunez will work closely with Tony to act as a liaison between WBR and Suzuki. Buddy will also act as the rider coach.

Chris Kawasaki was recently hired as the Marketing Manager to support team sponsors and facilitate other marketing opportunities. Jason Thomas was added as a team coordinator, Jim Dickey and Will Bastian will be driving the Rockstar/WBR/Suzuki semis.

Fans got a sneak peak of the new team last month at the U.S. Open in Las Vegas. New Rockstar WBR/Suzuki team members Adams and Smith respectively earned 6th and 7th overall for two Top 10 finishes on the new RM-Z250 Suzuki motocross steeds.  Team Manager Tony Sulek felt pretty good about the new team and the event:  “These guys are veterans and know how to ask for what they need.  The weekend was good considering we had had just gotten the bikes a few days before and had to scramble through testing.”

Troy feels that the new RMZ is good. “For a first year out bike, it is amazing. Some aluminum frame bikes can be a little harsh, the Suzuki though transmits a great feel. Not too harsh, not too much flex... just right. It’s great in the whoops, and it gave me a really good feel on the lips of some of the more chewed up jump faces. I love the bike.”

Any way you look at it, Team Rockstar/WBR/Suzuki has arrived. New sponsors, new riders and new bikes combined with old-fashioned know-how are going to make 2007 a fun and exciting year.

Program Sponsors
Rockstar Energy Drink - Williams Brothers Racing - American Suzuki
Yoshimura R&D of America - Hahm Motorsports - Answer Racing -
One Industries - Pro-Taper - Hinson Clutches - Dragon Optical -
Torco Oils - Acerbis - Mechanix Wear - RG-3 - Alpinestars - VP Racing Fuel -
Braking - Excel Wheels - Dunlop Tire - Kicker - AC Racing - Motion-Pro -
Six Six One - Competitive Edge MX Park - RK Chain- Twin Air - Ogio –
 Sunline - ARC Levers  - PPG Paints

0 comments

The Latest