Suzuki GB announce 2009 race plans

Suzuki GB announced its 2009 off-road racing plans at the Dirt Bike Show held at the Stoneleigh Exhibition Centre earlier today, with what is acknowledged to be one of the strongest ever line-ups for the Japanese manufacturer in UK racing.

With refocussed efforts in British championship motocross, enduro and youth racing, Suzuki firstly confirmed its plan to run two official teams in the British Motocross Championship, with the MVR-D and Relentless Suzuki MX squads.

In attendance at the show and confirmed to be riding under the MVR-D banner for 2009 is, Carl Nunn, Mattis Karro, James Noble, James Cottrell, Natalie Kane and Alex Dunlop, with the Relentless Suzuki MX Team present and confirmed to be fielding Martin Barr, Jamie Law and Scott Probert next season.

In enduro, Suzuki has agreed a renewed deal with multiple World and British Enduro Champion, Paul Edmondson, who will again campaign Suzuki two-stroke and four-stroke machines in the British Enduro Championship, plus other national and foreign events.

With youth racing significant in Suzuki's plans, Paul Butler was confirmed to be running the Suzuki Youth Academy again in 2009, with riders due for announcement in early December, with backing from specialist Insurer Doodsons.

Talking about Suzuki's off-road racing plans was Suzuki GB's George Cheeseman, who commented, "I'm delighted to finally confirm our plans for next season. To focus our efforts we have appointed two teams for '09, with what I am pleased to confirm are star signings in both the MX1 and MX2 classes. Alongside our motocross teams, we have great representation in enduro with Paul Edmondson and in youth racing with Paul Butler, completing a strong line-up for the season ahead."

More information on the team structures and plans to follow in the coming weeks.