BREA, Calif., (July 19, 2006) – American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC) announced today that Team Makita Suzuki Racing signed Ryan Dungey to race the Makita Suzuki RM-Z250 in the Motocross Lites class for the remainder of the 2006 AMA Toyota Motocross Series.  The 16-year-old Dungey’s first official race with Makita Suzuki will be at Spring Creek MX Park in Millville, Minn., on August 13, 2006.  Dungey signed a two-year contract and will also race the Makita Suzuki RM-Z250 in the 2007 AMA Supercross Championship. 
 
“Ryan is an extremely talented young rider with an amazing work ethic and I believe he has a lot of long-term potential,” said Makita Suzuki Team Manager Roger DeCoster.  “He’s had success with amateur racing and we believe that with a lot of guidance and a strong training regimen, he will eventually be a very successful factory rider.  Right now, we just want Ryan to focus on learning to race on a factory level, without any pressure.  Then we will begin grooming him for championships later on.”
 
Born and raised in Chaska, Minn., Dungey has been racing motocross for 11 years and he’s been with ASMC’s amateur program for two years.  He’s won 11 major amateur titles in the past year and a half, including the prestigious 2005 Loretta Lynn’s Amateur National.  Most recently, he carded several podium finishes in his first Pro events at the 2006 Ford Mammoth Motocross. 
 
“I definitely think signing with Makita Suzuki is a great opportunity for me,” said Dungey.  “I’m looking forward to working with Roger DeCoster and I know most riders don’t get this kind of a chance.  Yes, it’s a little bit intimidating, but I’m not scared because I know I have confidence in myself and Suzuki isn’t putting any pressure on me.  My first race is at Millville and that is one of my favorite tracks.”
 
For more information on Team Makita Suzuki Racing, log onto www.teamsuzuki.com.