Suzuki Announces 2003-2004 Arenacross Team
Kit Palmer | September 24, 2003
The following is a press release from Suzuki:
BREA, Calif., Sept. 23, 2003 – American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) today announced that Suzuki has formed the Empire Racing Suzuki factory-supported team to contest the 2004 AMA Arenacross Championship Series.
After owning the number-one plate in Arenacross for four consecutive years, Suzuki spent the 2002 – 2003 seasons pursuing the AX championship in vain. By partnering with Empire Racing out of Graham, N.C., Suzuki hopes to regain the AX title in 2004.
Former AMA Supercross and Motocross mainstay John Dowd will contest the 2004 Suzuki RM-Z250 and RM250 in AX. Dowd is the 1998 125 West Region Supercross Champion and has multiple 125 SX and 125/250 MX wins under his belt.
Joining Dowd on the Empire Racing Suzuki team is Jim Neese, the 2003 Regional AX Champion. Like his teammate, Neese will campaign the 2004 Suzuki RM-Z250 and RM250 in the series.
Last year, Empire Racing team owner Mark DeWeese and team manager Chad Newton sponsored Neese in his successful quest for the 2003 title. Suzuki and Empire Racing look to carry that winning momentum into 2004 with two very capable contenders.
The 2004 AMA Arenacross Championship Series 12-race season begins Nov. 7-9, 2003, in Albany, New York.
