International sports apparel company, Shift, has joined French oil company Motul as naming rights sponsors of Suzuki Australia's off-road racing team, it was announced today.
Suzuki Motorcycles also confirmed its star riding line-up of Danny Ham
and Mitchell Hoad will be back for the 2004 season.
Ham, Hoad and the newly-renamed Team Shift Motul Suzuki will contest both
the 2004 Australian Motocross and Supercross series, as well as the inaugural Australian Supercross Nationals series starting 17 January.
"Suzuki's off-road team continues to go from strength to strength and we're very excited about the potential for 2004, so Shift has certainly joined us at the right time," Perry Morison, General Manager - Motorcycles, Suzuki Australia, said.
"We're also delighted to be able to attract sponsors of the calibre of
Shift, and that's a testimony to the hard work the team has put in and
its obvious potential for 2004 and beyond."
Shift, which has signed a two-year contract with Suzuki, is a relative
newcomer to the motorcycle clothing industry. Originating in the US in
1997, it now operates globally, and is a major player in the off-road clothing market.
Suzuki's re-signing of Ham and Hoad adds stability to the team's 2004 campaign, allowing it to continue to build on the progress made this year.
Ham had returned to Team Suzuki in 2003 for his first full-time ride since injuries forced him to reduce his racing at the end of 2000.
But while his 2003 season got off to a slow start, Ham is positive that
next year he will be able to deliver more of the speed he showed as this
year's events progressed.
Partnering Ham, 19 year-old Hoad will again contest the Pro Lites category in the Motocross and Supercross championships, switching from last year's Suzuki RM125 two-stroke to the new four-stroke RM-Z250.
"Suzuki's got two great riders and the team has been working very hard
in developing the equipment, so we're definitely looking forward to a very competitive showing next year," Team Shift Motul Suzuki manager, Jay Foreman said.
"Danny really hit his stride toward the end of the year and I think he'll
come out blazing in 2004.
"The '04 model RM250 that Danny will be riding has improved from the previous model, so I reckon he'll go out there next year and do the job.
"Mitch has done brilliantly; he's had a really consistent season in '03
and finished second in the 125cc Supercross Championship, and he's getting better all the time.
"The new RM-Z250 will suit Mitch's riding style, so he should have a terrific year in front him.
"We're excited about the new clothing deal with Shift, it's great to have
their support and I think it will be a good year for everyone involved."
The first-ever Australian Supercross Nationals series begins on 17 January followed by the 2004 Australian Motocross Championship which kicks off on 16 May, with the five-round 2004 Australian Supercross Championship swinging into action in Sydney on 7 August.