RCH Factory Racing Inks Ken Roczen

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Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwich Shops Come Along for the Ride

LAS VEGAS (October 7, 2014) – RCH Factory Racing – the Supercross and Motocross team co-owned by Freestyle Motocross visionary Carey Hart and 15-time AMA National Champion Ricky Carmichael – has signed 20-year-old superstar Ken Roczen to pilot the team’s No. 94 Suzuki RM-Z450 for the 2015 season.

In addition to landing Roczen, RCH has signed Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwich Shops as co-primary sponsor for the team’s campaign in both the Monster Energy AMA Supercross and the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championships. The new relationship will compliment the team’s current marketing partnerships with Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort, Sycuan Casino and Dodge while marking Jimmy John’s first foray into Supercross and Motocross competition. The Jimmy John’s livery will also be featured prominantly on Carmichael’s and Hart’s motorcycles and riding gear.

“Everyone at Jimmy John’s is looking forward to teaming up with RCH Factory Racing and participating in one of the world’s most exciting forms of motorsports,” explained Jimmy John’s CEO Jimmy John Liautaud. “This is uncharted marketing territory for Jimmy John’s so we’re thrilled to get the season started and see what motorcycle racing is all about. We have a great opportunity to work with Ricky Carmichael and Carey Hart. To be able to combine their standing in the sport with Ken Roczen, one of the hottest riders in the world, is a win-win for Jimmy John’s, our franchisees and team members across the country.”

Roczen stormed the outdoor scene in 2014 by winning the 450 Pro Motocross Championship during his rookie season and, by virtue of the title, will campaign the sport’s coveted No. 1 plate in 2015. His extraordinary outdoor year was foreshadowed by an outstanding third-place finish in the 2014 Monster Energy Supercross championship point tally where the German-born freshman rider picked up two wins and eight podium finishes.

“I am really excited to be back on a Suzuki and especially as a part of the RCH Factory Racing Team’” said Roczen. “With the help of Ricky (Carmichael) and Carey (Hart), two of the sport’s most accomplished owners, and the great technical team they have assembled to take care of my RM-Z450s, I can't wait to get started. We’ve got a great group of sponsors and when you look at the entire program, from top to bottom, RCH was the best package for me. I already eat at Jimmy John’s and own a Ram Truck so we’ve got a great head start!”

The RCH Factory Race team has seen steady progress since Hart and Carmichael joined forces in 2013 and achieved the pairing’s first podium finish in April at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Always trendsetters in the paddock, RCH continues to show the way with unique marketing initiatives and partnership activations, consistently influencing the feel and dynamic of the pit area.

“I am stoked to have a blue-chip company like Jimmy John’s come on board to support RCH,” commented Carmichael, a five-time Supercross and 10-time Motocross champion. “Jimmy John’s has a great brand and a quality product. We’re excited beyond words to work with such a forward-thinking company and tempt the loyal Supercross and Motocross fan base with the best sandwiches anywhere.

“Ken looked great at the test track and I’m amazed with how quickly he is adapting to his new Suzuki RM-Z. It’s a testament to the team’s hard work and the quality of talent we’re committed to surrounding him with.”

“Having Jimmy John’s on board with RCH is an important signal that our sport is continuing to grow and be recognized by high-profile companies who want to reach our fans,” added Hart. “We’re looking forward to collaborating with their marketing department and having them be a focal point of our activation in the pits this season.”