SUZUKI FACTORY RACING STORMS ANAHEIM II
January 21, 2015
ANAHEIM, CA – Suzuki Factory Racing has stormed into 2015 fully loaded with a brand new RM-Z450, new riders, and a hunger for the championship.
After three rounds of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series, 450SX class superstars Ken Roczen and Broc Tickle of Soaring Eagle/Jimmy Johns/Suzuki Factory Racing, along with Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing’s Blake Baggett, continue to push their Suzuki RM-Z450s to the limit.
Showing remarkable consistency, Ken Roczen has been on the podium at every event so far this season, carding dominating wins in two of the three main events. Roczen leads the championship with yet another impressive win Saturday night in Anaheim, where the talented star made quick work getting his RM-Z450 to the front of the pack, leading all the way to the checkers. Thanks to Roczen’s efforts and the performance of the RM-Z450, Suzuki sits firmly atop the 2015 Manufacturer Point Standings with 72 points after three rounds of racing.
"We had great starts when we needed it," said Roczen following his win. "My Suzuki worked great. Everybody could see that it does everything I need it to do."
RCH teammate Broc Tickle scored a solid ride on his Soaring Eagle/Jimmy Johns/Suzuki Factory Racing RM-Z450. "I'm really happy with the bike. I feel very comfortable and the bike makes it easier to go faster," said Tickle.
Tickle found his stride mid race in the fifth place spot but not after feeling pressure from fellow Suzuki rider
Blake Baggett. After the half way point of the race, Baggett suffered a minor crash while sitting in sixth, but the Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing rider was able to remount and race to a solid top ten finish. As a rookie 450SX rider, Baggett had his best race of the season so far in Anaheim. Baggett chips away with each race and will undoubtedly be soon racing for the lead.
In addition to the success of Suzuki’s Factory Racing teams, the presence of the RM-Z450 was further carried throughout the 450SX class. Brett Metcalfe, riding for Team Dirt Candy/Fugoo Racing Suzuki, worked his way to a twelfth place finish in Anaheim. Metcalfe is making his return to Monster Energy Supercross for 2015 and is finding his rhythm and getting better with each race.
With teammates No. 69 Ronnie Stewart and No. 869 Robert Lind at hand, the three Suzuki Riders have a great support system in one another for Qualifying, Evening Program, and Main Events. That support system lead Brett Metcalfe to the Main Event at Anaheim 2.
A total of 20 Suzuki RM-Zs rolled into Anaheim. Among that group were 450SX riders Nick Schmidt, AJ Catanzaro, Dustin Pipes, Austin Howell, and Tevin Tapia, who each week continue to push and race harder as they compete in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series.
As a worldwide leader in racing, Suzuki continues to project a strong presence in the series with the RM-Z450 being the first choice for a long list of riders. Whether it be the Soaring Eagle/Jimmy Johns/Suzuki Factory Racing team, the Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing team, the support teams, or the hardworking, up and coming privateer riders, their collective passion and dedication to winning continues to energize Suzuki fans worldwide.
Separate from the professional ranks, Suzuki recently launched its
2015 Amateur Contingency Program. For years, Suzuki has been the choice of champions, and for 2015, Suzuki is excited to continue supporting future champions through its contingency payout program. Simply sign up for the
2015 Suzuki Contingency Program today and let Suzuki support you in your race to the top! For more information,
click here.
Monster Energy AMA Supercross continues next weekend, January 24, 2015, when Suzuki Factory Racing heads to the O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California for the fourth round of the 17 race series.
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