Team Makita Suzuki Racing's Ricky Carmichael Clinches Fifth AMA Supercross Championship

LAS VEGAS, May 7, 2006 -- American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) congratulates Team Makita Suzuki Racing's Ricky Carmichael for capturing his fifth AMA Supercross Championship. In one of the closest battles for the championship in Supercross history, Carmichael finished second in the final round of the Amp'd Mobile AMA Supercross Series to take the title on Saturday night at a sold-out Las Vegas' Sam Boyd Stadium.

"I knew going into this weekend that I'm only racing part-time next year, and I've had a great career," said newly crowned Carmichael. "This is just amazing, Supercross is the sport that made me and I can't say enough for the people in my corner and my Makita Suzuki team. There are so many people I want to thank. This was a team effort, we've had a lot of adversity this year, but we overcame it, we pulled together and it's been an incredible year. It's great to go out on top."

Carmichael won six Amp'd Mobile AMA Supercross events this season and finished second in the 2006 Amp'd Mobile World Supercross GP. Since signing with Makita Suzuki, Carmichael has won the 2005 World Supercross GP Championship, the 2005 AMA Supercross Championship, the 2005 AMA Motocross Championship, the 2005 U.S. Open of Supercross and led Team U.S.A. to victory at the 2005 Motocross des Nations.

Overall, Carmichael has five AMA Supercross titles and nine AMA Motocross titles for a total of 14 championships, more combined AMA Supercross/Motocross championships than anyone. Additionally, he is the only rider in history to have been named AMA Pro Racing Speed Channel Athlete of the Year four times.

"Suzuki is so proud of Ricky and Team Makita Suzuki Racing," said Mel Harris, ASMC's vice president of the ATV/Motorcycle Division. "When we initially signed Ricky, we knew we'd get great things from him and we haven't been disappointed. Ricky is an essential member of the Suzuki family and we're thankful that he's brought home these titles to Suzuki."

Newly crowned 2006 Amp'd Mobile AMA Supercross Champion Carmichael will defend his 2005 AMA Motocross title at round one of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship at Hangtown in Sacramento, Calif., May 21.