Team Makita Suzuki Racing's Ricky Carmichael Clinches THQ AMA Supercross Championship in Houston

HOUSTON, May 1, 2005 -- American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) congratulates Team Makita Suzuki Racing's Ricky Carmichael for capturing his fourth AMA Supercross Championship at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Tex., on Saturday night, April 30, 2005. With one round remaining in the 2005 series, Carmichael and his Makita Suzuki RM250 finished third in the Houston 250cc main event to clinch the championship.

"I have to thank Suzuki because they asked me if I'd be interested in riding for them and I took it upon myself to go there," said Carmichael from the podium. "Suzuki believed in me when my leg was in a cast last year. This championship is the result of eight months of hard work, and I want to thank the whole Makita Suzuki team, my mom and dad, my wife -- all the people who believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself."

Carmichael's clinching of this 2005 THQ AMA Supercross Championship follows closely on the heels of his also clinching his first THQ World Supercross GP at the Seattle event on April 16. Carmichael is the first rider to ever win both titles in one year. Furthermore, his 2005 titles mark the first 250 Supercross Championships that Suzuki has won since Mark Barnett won the title in 1981.

"We're very excited about having had the opportunity to welcome Ricky to the Makita Suzuki fold," said Mel Harris, ASMC's vice president of the Motorcycle/ATV Division. "Knowing what a champion he is, we have enjoyed working with him all season and appreciate his bringing home a 250 Supercross championship."

Carmichael, who signed this year with Team Makita Suzuki Racing for the 2005-2006 seasons, now boasts a combined 12 AMA Supercross/Motocross Championships. Furthermore, Carmichael claims a combined 115 SX/MX career victories so far.

"I feel like a weight has been removed from my shoulders," said a breathless Makita Suzuki Racing Team Manager Roger DeCoster from the podium. "It's been a long time since Suzuki has had a 250 Supercross title and I want to thank Ricky for that. It's been awesome working with him."

Newly crowned 2005 THQ AMA Supercross Champion Carmichael and his Makita Suzuki teammates Sebastien Tortelli, Broc Hepler and Davi Millsaps will campaign the final round of the THQ AMA Supercross Series at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., next Saturday evening, May 7, 2005.