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By Suzuki PR
Published: October 3, 2008
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With one of its strongest rider line-ups ever, Suzuki heads to tomorrow's opening round of the 2008 Australian Supercross Championship in Perth eyeing a successful season.
Homegrown superstar Chad Reed will spearhead Suzuki's charge in the new championship, of which the reigning AMA Supercross Champion is also a major stakeholder, riding an RM-Z450 under the Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki banner.
Following the retirement of Daryl Hurley, Team Shift Motul Suzuki has signed experienced three-time national champion Cameron Taylor to race in the Pro Open Class, while young gun Matt Moss will tackle Pro Lites on a Suzuki RM-Z250.
Completing Suzuki's formidable rider line-up, rising stars Lawson Bopping and Kieran Tisdale will also race Pro Lites with Team Shift Motul Suzuki Development.
"Suzuki is looking forward to a strong campaign in the inaugural Australian Supercross Championship," said Perry Morison, General Manager Motorcycles, Suzuki Australia.
"It's great to have Chad Reed back in Suzuki colours, and along with Cameron Taylor we're looking forward to a successful season for the RM-Z450 in Pro Open.
"Matt Moss was the one to beat in Pro Lites Motocross when he came back from injury, while Lawson Bopping and Kieran Tisdale are riders to watch.
"We think we've got all the right ingredients in place."
Saturday's, 4 October, season opener at the Perth Motorplex will start a new era for Australian Supercross, with new race formats, larger venues and live television among the exciting initiatives.
It will also mark Reed's first appearance on home soil with Suzuki since 1999, having raced with the manufacturer before venturing overseas.
The opening round in the seven-round championship will consist of two heats and a 20-lap final around the 745m layout.
CHAD REED - TEAM ROCKSTAR MAKITA SUZUKI
"It's great to be back in Australia for Super X - we've been planning for almost 18 months and are just days away from it getting underway which is exciting.
"It's been a hectic fortnight, we flew from the US after testing to contest the Motocross of Nations at Donington Park, which was a disappointing event for me.
"The bike was fantastic but I just couldn't find my groove on the track and there's no real margin for error with very little track time before racing.
"This is a special event for me as it marks my first Supercross race with Suzuki on the new RM-Z450; we're well prepared and I'll be doing everything I can to record a win in WA."
CAMERON TAYLOR - TEAM SHIFT MOTUL SUZUKI
"It's a fantastic opportunity to join Suzuki and I'm really looking forward to working with Jay [Foreman] again.
"I've only been riding the Suzuki RM-Z450 for a couple of weeks, but it's an awesome machine.
"It suits my riding style and I felt comfortable almost as soon as I jumped on it.
"The new championship looks unreal, and the tracks are something else, it's great to see Australian Supercross moving in the right direction."
MATT MOSS - TEAM SHIFT MOTUL SUZUKI
"I've been looking forward to the Supercross season for months, as soon as I was injured in Motocross it's been my focus.
"We scored some great results in the last couple of Motocross rounds, if not for the injury I think we would have been able to challenge for the championship.
"It wasn't to be, but hopefully we can make amends in Supercross.
"I'm feeling really good on the Suzuki RM-Z250 and my fitness is where I want it to be, I can't wait."
JAY FOREMAN - TEAM SHIFT MOTUL SUZUKI TEAM MANAGER
"I'm really happy with our preparation; we're all looking forward to getting onto the track in Perth.
"Chad's abilities and achievements need no introduction, it's fantastic to have him on a Suzuki and involved in the series.
"Cameron is another rider we're pleased to have back in the Suzuki family, he's been quick during testing and has taken to the RM-Z450 really well.
"In Pro Lites, Matt is fully fit and looking to bounce back from his injury frustration in Motocross, his success this year shows what he's capable of, while we're encouraged by the ongoing development of Lawson and Kieran."
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