With 5 championships in different disciplines, the powers-that-be at Suzuki felt the need to show their appreciation to the riders and all the employees that made it happen with a luncheon at their corporate headquarters.
The racing world is a very competitive one and when a manufacture can win 5 championships in one year all in different disciplines, it is definitely something to be celebrated. This is exactly why American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC) celebrated by holding Championship Day at their corporate headquarters in Brea, Ca. To represent ATV Rider Magazine, I attended the event where all of the companies employees were given a break from work and had a chance to show their appreciation to the professional riders that helped put their company at the top.
The riders in attendance were 2008 and 2009 ATV Motocross Champion Dustin Wimmer, 7 time AMA Superbike Champion Matt Mladin who earlier in the year announced his retirement from racing, '09 450 Motocross Champion Chad Reed, '09 SX Lites and 250 Motocross Champion Ryan Dungey and finally the '09 WERA Endurance Championship team of Vesrah Suzuki Endurance Racing who had riders Trey Batey and Mark Junge on hand.
For the ATV race program this year, the #1 plate was well deserved by Dustin Wimmer as Rod Lopusnak explained to everyone in attendance how Wimmer broke his shoulder earlier in the year and was expected to sit out the remainder of the season and watch his early point lead disappear. In Rod's words, "Dustin went to doctor after doctor that told him his race season was finished until he found one that said we could screw your shoulder back together." This determination is what won Dustin his second consecutive MX championship and the second for Suzuki.
Each rider was given a special plaque in recognition for their hard work over the season by the President of ASMC. Superbike Champion Matt Mladin was also given a special framed picture that was surrounded by signatures and well wishes by many Suzuki employees in appreciation of his many years and hard work over the years racing out of their semis.
After the presentation was over, a lunch provided by Chronic Tacos courtesy of team sponsor Rockstar Energy Drinks was served and followed by an autograph session for all to have memorabilia signed as well as posters and special pennants made just for this occasion.
Seeing a company like Suzuki put on an event like this accomplished two things that I thought were great. The first was to let the employees of the company meet the riders that help keep the company at the top of their respected sports, and secondly the riders get a chance to interact with the people that handle the day-to-day tasks of the company that lets them do what they love. Everything was appreciated on both sides and i'm sure that they're ready to do it all over again next year, or at least they're hoping for it.
*note: At this time Chris Borich, who also rides a Suzuki LT 450R is currently leading the points in the GNCC ATV series and could potentially add a sixth championship to their list for the year.